First day in Paris

The day was off to an interesting start. At around 6AM I started hearing the sounds of metal scratching against metal. I figured it was just some guys dragging around something metal and that it would stop soon. Nope, not the case. I closed the window and got some relief and was able to sleep in until 10. I had been up until 1 the night before getting things settled in at the apartment.



After I woke up I read up on the Rick Steve's guide and looked things up online. Then I headed out to find breakfast. I grabbed a simple chocolate croissant and walked over to the Eiffel Tower. There was an area of benches with no one nearby. I was able to sit on my own with a cool view of the tower through some small trees above me. The croissant was great, along with the weather and the view.



As I was finishing up I had my first scammer come by. A woman who looked fairly professional was walking up. As she came near the edge of the grass/gravel transition she bent down and 'found' a man's gold ring. She held it out to me asking something in french, which I belive was her asking if it was mine. I had read about a scam like this in the Rick Steve's guide (they ask if its yours, when you say no they show how valuable it is and offer to sell it to you even though its crap) so I just said 'no' and got up and walked away.



I then went back to the apartment to get my camera and gps. I started not feeling so good so I stayed at the apartment for a bit before heading out. When I did feel better I went out to the Orsay museum. I picked up the 2-day musuem pass so that I can get in to the Louvre, the Arc, and a number of other musuems free of charge. The Orsay was a great place. I liked how it had more modern art and a good bit of the impressionist works. I really like the monet paintings and found a new one of his showing a train station. I had not seen it before today and I want to see if I can find a print of it to hang on my walls.



After a long time at the museum I walked over towards the cooking store my dad recommended. As i was doing so I realized I was close to the Hard Rock Cafe. soo... I first went over there to drink a hurricane and people watch for a bit. After that break I was back on the way over to the cooking store. Unfortunately I got there just 10 minutes before closing. They were anxious to close and shooed me out pretty much right after I got in. I may try again tomorrow although I think it could be dangerous for me to go back in that store.



After that I took my time walking home. I wandered a lot but could not tell you where I've been. I have just explored differently alleys/streets, walked along the river, and just taken in the city. There are a lot of beautiful sights here. And this is definitely a romantic city.



For dinner i went to a cafe up the street on the corner. I picked an outside table where I could sit and see the top 1/2 of the tower. It was beautiful all lit up in blue. And every hour on the hour it 'sparkles' with some white lights flashing on it. I did not catch that well on the camera. It is neat though. The dinner was a simple beef bourginon and it tasted great with a nice Bordeaux red wine. Dessert was a nutella crepe. Not too bad of a meal for just over 20 EUR.



Now it's time for bed. Not sure what I've been doing the past 2 hours but just realized it is 1AM. Time to get some rest. Two more days left in Paris though, more to come...