I flew from Shanghai to Paris on Air France, a 12:40 flight. We landed early at Charles DeGaulle airport. I had three seats to myself on the left side of the plane near the window, so I was able to stretch out and sleep on the way.
It was pitch black up until 8 a.m. Not a sliver of light was in the sky, even though it appeared rush hour traffic was in full swing.
For a small fee, I was able to get into my hotel room before regular check-in time at 2:00 p.m. I needed the rest. I had no ambitions for sightseeing today after such a long trip, but I surprised myself and decided not to let the day go to waste.
The city looks and feels just as you would expect it to, based on what you see in movies and TV. Flower shops, bicyclists, dog-walking residents, bread everywhere, people pretending they don't speak English to frustrate you -- it was all here.
I felt a little bad that I'm here instead of someone who actually knows a few words of French. I realized soon after arriving that the only French words I know are the ones I learned from Miss Piggy.
Moi?
Or I want to thank someone, and knowing a foreign language needs to come out of my mouth, I thank them in Chinese. I'm only here three days. Hopefully I can survive.
Here are a few sights from the beautiful day in Paris, approximately 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hotel Street
Neighborhood streets
Pretty doors
Flower shop
Pretty flowers
French market (had an adjoining grocery store)
These guys are standing in front of an amazing variety of olives.
A woman passes by a wall mural.
Souvenirs near the subway station a block from the Eiffel Tower.
The Eiffel Tower
It's surprisingly undeveloped near the tower, with dirt pathways.
February is the time to come ... no long lines at the tower if you want to go up (I have no desire to go up in that thing).
A view of the Eiffel Tower unobstructed by tree branches
Petit Palais, across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower. Look at that blue sky!
A typical Paris balcony
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