ATW in 45. #16

We were up early again. Into Paris by train. The most economical method of travel. The showers were a huge improvement over the lodgings in London. We are staying in a hotel that’s more like an apartment and much more modern. And cleaner. With working hot water. Clean linens. Nice.

We really did not have anything planned. So we went to some bakery for coffee and pastries. French style. No donuts. Coffee is excellent. There was no place to sit so we loitered our on the sidewalk and consumed our breakfast. We were all eating too much.

The bakery was near to Notre Dame cathedral so after eating we walked over that way. The free tour gets you the ground floor only. We did that yesterday but part of the inside was closed. As it turns out, we missed all the good parts on Monday. Today we have reservations to go up inside the Church to the roof and bell tower. Up where quasimodo works. I did not see him.

So we spent an hour retouring ND. Well worth it. Our reservations are end of day around 450. It’s a time range, not specific. It works.

We decided to picnic in the park by the Eiffel Tower for lunch. One thing about Paros, no one goes hungry. There are cafes, restaurants and specialty food shops all over. So we went to the wine shop, and cheese shop and bread shop and got together a small feast. We headed over toward the Tower and found a nice spot close to the boulevard with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. We had our lunch and a floor show. A tour bus parked on the street did something wrong. Not sure what. But a couple cops showed up and got into a screaming march with the bus driver. Driver delivered a bunch of fuck yous at screaming volume to the cops. Then more cops showed. No more screaming. More cops. Driver gone. Cops left. Way fun and entertaining show. Bus left parked wacky on busy street. We finished lunch.

Now for the quintessential experience for the Paris visitor – a trip to the Eiffel Tower. It seems cliche but the tower is an enduring symbol of France. And it’s cool. The tower itself has been described as an erector set. I have to disagree because to erector set ever came out beautiful and majestic. Walking across Paris and seeing it as you walk towards it is breathtaking. It truly shines on the horizon. It’s like a nice looking woman you see from across the club and when you get closer you discover she is even more than you thought.

Well, I don’t want to overdo it. The lines were quick and we went up the north leg of the tower. The elevators are actually inclinators. They go up at an angle. Like the Luxor in Vegas, only 120 years older.

The view from the mid level is striking. You truly realize how big Paris is from up there. The day was very clear and sunny and we could see for miles. Not so far I could see our hotel but a long ways. We walked around the 3 lower levels for a couple hours. Enjoyed the view.

At about 330 we headed back to Notre Dame. Now the real work begins.

We got to Notre Dame by 445. The extended tour started about 5. This tour, not free, in groups of 20, goes as high up as the roof top and bell towers. In 1148 when this was envisioned there were no elevators so climbing does not include elevators. And no ADA in France so no equal access. To get to the top you want to climb the 300’ to the top by using the stairs. The two front towers each enclose enough stairs to get you to the base of the top, about 225’. And it’s not as easy a climb as you would expect. The towers, having been finished in 1348, lack modern conveniences like AC. And today, Paris, is 95 degrees. So all in our group were breathing hard and red in the face by the time we got out of the tower into the sunshine. Remarkable lack of wind at that height. But I was glad to be outside. And breathing fresh air. It took us 10 – 15 minutes to get there. We were allowed to walk down the edge of the building between the towers. Right at the edge. Scary but not. One hell of a great view. And here we got to see the gargoyles. Not one alike another. They were all over the place. Many statues of apostles, 12 I think, as well. Imagine the thought, in 1148, let’s decorate the top that no one will ever see. Makes sense. To someone who lives in the dark ages.

We spent 20 minutes on the roof looking around. The view was above the plaza. I can only imagine what this was like 600 years ago for those lucky enough to see it

We climbed another few hundred steps and got to the highest rooftop. Different view with even smaller things below. The view of Paris is amazing, though what you see best is rooftops and tall buildings

Next climb took us to the bell tower. I had the opportunity to personally meet Quasimodo. Seems decent enough. The two bells are massive, about 12’ get across bell opening and 15’ tall. How the hell did they get them up here? No Sikorsky sky crane in 1348. Maybe divine intervention. The bells are still rung occasionally. Two days ago they were rung. But not for me. Woulda been cool.

So, we still gotta go all the way down. That was crazy. Straight down the other tower, no stops. Only 5 1/2 mins. And a lot of pain. My legs are jelly now. But the experience is a must-do. Only in Paris.

After all that work we needed sustenance. We went to a local cafe for cocktails and wine. Hey, all risk needs a reward. There are bar/cafes on every corner. We found one and soaked our wounds in alcohol. We had a second round. We worked hard.

We had planned a dinner at Louis Vins. A nice place personally reconmend ba a friend of Carly’s. As usual it took us forever wandering up and down streets to find the place. No prob, we had a reservation.

The restaurant reminded me a lot of American restaurants in style and presentation. Food exceeded all expectations. Nice. So did price. Not nice. We enjoyed a nice evening of food and wine. What you expect from Paris. Really have not had a bad meal yet in Paris.

After dinner we went back to the hotel. After our workout we needed rest. Actually the kids went out to drink. Emily did laundry and I tried to get some work done. Fun. Hard to find time for the stuff that isn’t any fun.

Laundry was a pain. The dryer took overnight to dry our clothes. Not so fine. But we did sleep well. Yay.