Wednesday, 5 June 2019

Paris day 8 and 9

Friday 31st May
Today we venture to a couple of museums, the first one is the National  Maritime Museum. We catch a couple of trains to get to where it is,  only to find out that it is closed for renovations. Ok,  but we are now at the best viewing spot of the Eiffel Tower, so we change plans and make our way to the tower, and get up close and personnel with it. So we catch the required train, and a short walk late arrive.  The line up is very long to get in,  what with security checks that as being done.  We eventually get in,  and look about us. So many people, most lined up to go up the Eiffel Tower. There are 3 elevators in use,  and one line up we saw was a wait time of over 2 hrs. We decided no to wait in line and went on to do something else.
Next was our river cruise of the river  Seine. Again line ups, but no where s bad as where we have come from.  On board, we settle in on top of the boat,  and watch the river bank and all that is around it.  Some of the major land marks,  the Notre dame Cathederial, although it is closed for repairs, it is still a huge and empowering building. It would have been quite something before it had the fire go through it.
After our cruise, we have a spot to eat,  and the make out way back to our little unit via the metro.
After we get back to the unit,   which is about 5.30, I decide to go and explore the park over the road from us.  As there are no yards with the dwellings in which people live in,  there are large parks for all to enjoy.  It is 61 acres in size.

Saturday 1st June.
Another huge day. We started our day going to the Arc de  Triomphe. As it was Saturday, the protesters, ( yellow jackets ) are around our train stop that we were going to get off at,  is closed,  Charles de  Gaulle. So we get off one at earlier and have to walk the rest of the way,  which turned out not to bad.  Once at the Arc de Triomphe,  we see the line up,  but, we are leaning to go to the front, and see if we can skip the queue, as we have a Paris pass. And presto, we can.  Thank goodness someone had the foresite to purchase this.  So we hustle to where every one is going, go though the security check, and go forth. We didn't know where we were heads to,  but whst the heck.  We go in though the doors start to ascend  the steps. 284 steps later, we are at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. There were a couple of little stops, given that the stair case was spiral. At the top,  we sit and catch our breath, and watch other's do the same as us.  Makes us feel not so bad. Our breath back we go and scope what's about, hmmmm, more stairs. But not so many. Once we climb them and step outside, it was worth every step, the view is great. Once we come, which is a little easier than going up, we find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then leave the Arc de Triomphe for the last time.
Now, we venture down the Champs Elysée, and stop at an sidewalk Resturant. Then we continue down the after,  taking in all the high end names. We walk past Louis Viutton, and Bob decides to go into the building. Now this is not one store that you just walk into,  you have to lube up outside,  and wait.  Today the line up is not so bad, but, we are only there for a couple of minutes and a man comes up to us and asks us to follow him.  What the???? So we diligently follow and are led inside. Interestingly, most of these shops have security, so after a showing of my bag, we get to take in the shop.  I question Bob as to what just happened, and he said that the walking stick was worth every $. Ahhhh. This shop, is the oldest store, and is remarkable, and so to the prices. But it was nice looking about,  seeing what the other half buy.
Now onto Chanel, still taking in the brand name stores. Gucci, Givenchy, Hugo Boss, Montblanc, Saint Laurent, to name a few.  We find a Chanel shop, and again, bag check, and are escorted to the perfume suite. Ok, so now the really tricky bit,  finding a scent I like.  Hmmmm, I sniff and smell, but find nothing that really does it for me,  but the sales lady,  said the there is another shop over the road that has a larger selection,  and some cosmetics. So of we got to the other place, again, bag check,  and the welcome guy ( who is very nice ) queries us to where we want to go. He suggests we take a 30 min walk to the centre of Paris. So of we go, and I get frustrated with myself,  as I seem to be difficult to satisfy with specific ideas.  Why can't it be an easy task,  but here is not a place for just settling for.  And besides, what's wrong with taking in the sights. We pass many Gendame in their full kit, complete with machine guns. With certain roads closed off, walking is not the hustle and bustle of elsewhere. We get to our destination, and again, bag check,  and directed to the parfumery. After a little wait, we are attended to, and eventually I find something I like.  So the lady makes the sale,  going into the closed door office, coming back with paperwork so we can clan the duty free tax,  and we are finished.  My poor Bob, he has walked such a lot, and all with a sore knee. So we find the closest metro station, and head back to the unit. It is by this time 5.30.

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