Le Premier Voyage de L'Annee 2012

Last weekend we went to Paris. My camera went on its first trip! I knew Dave was a bit envious when I went to Paris without him in December (it was the comments such as "...well you went to Paris without me..." that led me to that conclusion). Almost as soon as we got back from California he started mentioning going to Paris, and after about 15 seconds spent trying to convince me to go again, I agreed. So off we went, a mere six weeks after my last visit. Luckily I love Paris, so I am happy to go back anytime!

We stayed at the Mon Hotel this time, thanks to a pretty good rate courtesy of a Voyage Prive sale. It was our first time staying in the 16th, above the Arc de Triomphe, as we normally stay in the 6th. The Mon Hotel is right around the corner from the Argentine metro station which is the 1 line, a handy line that runs through many of the main sights, but can also be very crowded. Yet, fun fact! The 1 line is starting to run new driverless trains (with fancy pants rainbow seats), and we took one such train once, but only went two stops. The train actually skipped the first stop so maybe those driverless trains aren't such a good idea after all. Overall we enjoyed the Mon Hotel and would stay there again. The sale rate included an "upgrade" to the next room category, which meant our room and bathroom were spacious for Paris. We didn't see a basic room, so for all I know those rooms are tiny as most Parisian hotel rooms seem to be.

We did some of the same Paris things we do every trip, such as walking around the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine, around the Tuileries and Louvre, walking in the Marais and the St. Germain area, eating fallafels, going to Eric Kayser, you know, the usual.

This time we also walked in two new to us areas. The first was the Canal St. Martin area, in the 10th. It was rather nice, with quite a few bridges and locks, and people out enjoying the sunny day. Apparently the area is popular at night, with bars and restaurants, including a few recommended by friends. On Sunday the street running along side the canal (Quai de Valmy) is closed to cars and therefore easy to walk and/or bicycle. 

We also walked on the Parisian version of the High Line. The Promenade Plantee, in the 12th just east of Bastille, was opened in 1993 and runs above a former railroad viaduct. Underneath the park are stores within the viaduct arches. The Promenade Plantee was actually a model for the NY High Line. Since we went in the winter the park was a little sparse, flower-wise. It is narrower than the High Line, with one sidewalk running the length of the area we walked. From what I have read, the eastern portion of the park is open to both bicyclists and pedestrians, but we only walked on the western, pedestrian only section. I must admit that while I was interested to see the park, as I only learned about it right before this trip, it had nothing on the High Line! The High Line is fantastic and well worth a visit in New York. The Promenade Plantee, not so much. It would be nice in the summer and warmer weather, but is not a destination in and of itself as is the High Line.

Once we got back to London on Sunday night we were transferring to the District/Circle lines at Victoria and were going up the steps to the platform when we saw two youngish girls, maybe late teens/early 20's coming down the stairs. They were dressed in the typical going out style of micro minis, too much makeup and hair that to the wearer looks "bedhead sexy" but to the outside observer looks unbrushed and ratty. Fortunately I wasn't lower on the steps because one girl's skirt was so, so, so short I could have gotten a view only certified medical professionals should be privy to. It was such a typical London scene, after a nice weekend in Paris, and it told us we were home. It made us miss Paris right then and there.