PARIS NOTES AND LESSONS LEARNED, SO FAR

The top pic is the view from the hotel window. One block of Paris notes to work from is not enough, but it shows a consistent theme.

I’m picking my new apartment out in these buildings, except mine is on the back side, the Eiffel Tower side.

From my window there’s a tower view of about one inch of the base. Last night it twinkled on the hour, a one inch twinkle.

And it’s a good inch.

Paris Notes:

The sidewalk curbs come in all sizes, like the streets were once expanded, then shrunk for service lanes.

Service lanes?

The curbs are made of granite and there are lots of them on some streets. Pretty mundane except when it comes to walking down stairs and you see the last one, except it’s not the last one.

On a Sunday I heard plenty of sirens, just not one for your trusty blogger who nearly took a dive. Balance practice came in handy, like ballet without the tutu.

Paris Notes II

You’ve heard of the Tour de France?

How about the Fat Tire Tour of Paris.

If it was a race, I lost, beat by a half dozen girls who knew the ropes: Don’t stop.

From the street a bike tour looks fun; from the biker side it’s navigating through traffic, pedestrians, and competition. I don’t know if anyone else was trying to win a non-race, but the Tour de France winner does get a weeks free room in the Presidential Suit in the most exclusive hotel around.

It’s next to the Louvre.

I checked to see if my week was booked after my almost ‘win’ and they said something in French. I’ll check back later for more Paris notes.

Until then I’ll be outside, or by the window, or in a museum. I’ll be hanging on the Alexander Bridge watching wedding photos taken in elegant gowns, model shoots in slinky night gear, and river traffic on the Seine. Sin?

I’ve seen a possible future here, walking slowly, hand clasped behind my back, scowling, which is the French smile.

Happy is a state of mind, if not an expression, and Paris looks happy today.

Or maybe it’s just me?