We arrive at the St. Pancras International Station in London (railroad) from where the Eurostar departs. I am super excited to go on it. The waiting area is ultra modern while the upper area,
from where the train actually departs, gives you an “I’ve been here longer than you.” feel. Customs/immigration is a breeze.
Our destination (another reason why my inner child is doing somersaults): Paris! I so love Paris.
The Eurostar is set to depart at 3:31 and it leaves at… (drumroll please) at exactly 3:31 pm!!!
Tutu wants out and promptly takes over what is supposed to be my seat.
I promptly put him in the front seat’s pouch. He’s not too happy about this.
The Eurostar goes up to 300 kilometres per hour (186 mph). Super fast. And takes the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France. I find the speed mind blogging but the fact that we are underwater also blows my mind. It will get us to Paris in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Oh but wait, I blinked and we are here!!
We get into the line (queue) to get a cab. We are headed to the 19th arrondissement (district) to an apartment in an area that is very un-touristy and where we will probably become locals for the next 6 nights. Love the woman in black. Very Parisian chic.
I am still hesitant to practice my French so I ask our taxi driver (in French) if he speaks any English. Nope, sorry madame, I do not. (In French) And so my journey of embarrassing myself in French begins. 🙂 We manage to understand each other and actually have a bit of a conversation. So engrossed am I in my French that Dean has to point out the taxi’s sunroof which is all glass.
We arrive “home”. It’s tiny but charming, quaint and cozy. Worth the climb up two stairs.
“Tres charmant!” We seem to be in a red-mode here, as in London.
It is a beautiful day. The first, it seems, according to the owner, -who came to greet us- in a while. We settle in. Check out our view (and our neighbors) who have two of the cutest and biggest Newfoundlands I’ve seen.
London, I will miss you but Paris… je t’aime! Our first sunset in Paris is divine.