Arrival in Paris

May the 7^th: Arrival in Paris. 

Charles Du Gaule International Airport

It has been a very long time since I’ve had a tarmac deplaning (if that’s the term these days)! It was a lovely way to be greeted in Paris; beautiful, shining and warm sun with chirping birds. Best of all, it was warmer than Toronto, a positively balmy 25 ˚C. Imma and I had been separately throughout the flight, having not checked-in together, but we re-united for quite possibly the easiest run through customs I’ve had in years. The drive into town was just like an episode of Top Gear, nothing but Renauts, Citreons and Pergots!

We arrived at the pre-course hotel with little issues and enjoyed some minor sightseeing in the area. An afternoon nap was inevitable prior to dinner, which was lovely. As a first meal, roast duck leg is hard to argue with. It also gave my French a good workout… and a couple making out over dessert to enjoy as evening entertainment.

Luxembourg Gardens.

May the 8^th: Pick-up Chelly and Anne-Marie day.

After quite a solid, deep sleep, I checked out of my single room to later check into a triple room later in the day. Imma and I braved our first attempt of the Paris subways in an effort to pick up Chelly from Gard du Nord. We actually got it to work, and dragged her back to the hotel in time for a picnic lunch in the front yard of the Cluny museum.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

Since we were all over our jetlag at this point, wandering and seeing the sights was very much in order. This allowed for our first real experience of the Seine and Notre Dame. Both of these included Paris Pigeons. So much as I hate them back home they seem better behaved here. That sentiment also seems to make it far more acceptable to feed them. They had a field day with Chelly’s left over bun from Lunch.

Chelly feeding the local wildlife.

We also decided to make a first of many trips to the Louvre. We spent a fair amount of time sitting around the fountains and lawns, contemplating the rest of our trip, and enjoy lying a on a lawn in Paris without a care in the world. Can’t argue with life some days. We then met up with Anne-Marie later in the evening and had some dinner with some slightly distracted wait-staff. An inter-France soccer tour brings out the nationalism in people as it turns out.  

May the 9^th: New Hotel, first class meet-up.

Home, sweet home for the next three weeks!

20 minutes my ass Google maps! That being said, free lunch and free, guided tours provided by Peter and Marta make the day much better. One of our first sites was a small church that was one of many photographed by Atget, Paroisse Sainte Medard. While we know of hundreds of places and buildings that have documented by, it’s not quite the same as sitting next to one. In may case, hiding in the shade of the nearby trees. My vampiric skin qualities make sunbathing a little difficult.

Enjoying the sun at Paroisse Sainte Medard.

There's was much walking to had once we met with the rest of the class. If nothing else, it was a good chance to follow Peter around and get some good suggestions for restaurants and attractions to visit. I was still getting my bearings a bit, having been used to a grid formation in my cityscapes. Peter walked us through the Jardins du Mondes where we were shown the Museum of Natural History, somewhere we would attempt to get to later in the trip.

Peter, at the Palais.

All photographs taken by A Cook.