Paris...City of Love?

So we got up early Tuesday morning (well Christine & Adam were moaning) so we could head off to Paris from Leeds Bradford International Airport. We arrived after questioning whether the GPS would get us there as we seemed to go down some strange roads and through some pretty villages (well pretty if it had of been light). The Airport was shrouded in fog and mist...will we still fly in this? asks Adam. I reply that 60% of the time this is their weather so don't worry. We boarded the plane and whilst scheduled take off was 10am we had to wait until the plane was de-Iced. We were soon in the air and about an hour later landing at Paris Charles De Guille Terminal 3. Su quickly found out that a taxi was anywhere from 65 Euros...I suggested we catch the train having studied the transit map on the plane..so off we trudged to find the train station. First mistake...a zebra crossing is not a zebra crossing..it is in fact controlled by traffic lights...and like Noumea pedestrians are fair game when on the road!

We were able to work out what train to catch and where we would need to change to make our way to Cambronne where our hotel was. The train set out and we became a bit concerned when it sped through ten stations not stopping...a local reassured us it would stop at every city station. We changed at Denfert Rocherau for Cambronne. In no time we were there now where is our hotel? A quick scan around and we were able to sight the Ibis sign and made our way to Ibis Paris Tour Eiffel. We checked in and went to our rooms. Now in America you get big wide expansive rooms two or three tv's a telephone in the toilet..here in Paris the smaller your room the better. The bathroom/ensuite..is a cross between a caravan and train facilities..not too sure which one inspired the design but certainly no room to swing cats, however everything is clean and functional. We decide to set off for the Eiffel Tower. So the Ibis boasted 800 metres from the Eiffel Tower....as the crow flies?? Okay it was raining, it was misty but surely we can see it? Hmm 20 minutes later we stumble across it shrouded in mist. At the base is a clay? pathway turned to mush from recent snow and rain. We get accosted by the many peddlers selling souvenirs. We have to rescue Christine and Adam and sternly warn them to ignore them. Okay I have been to Vegas, gone up the Eiffel Tower there, they reckon it is half the size of the real one. I think they lied. Even in the rain the queues are unbelievable..hmm how can I convince Su I want to go up this sucker....more on this later. Christine and Su head to the official souvenir store and soon have Eiffel Tower everything! We then make our way to the Seine. It is very muddy but what takes me by surprise is the fast current. We then wonder to a Noel market at Palais de Challot. We had snack from one of the market stalls by this time dusk had come and the Eiffel Tower was lit up and slowly the mist was clearing. I took what I considered some great shots. We wondered back to our hotel where the kids were off to McDonalds for their meal we decided to try one of the cafes across from the hotel. Has Paris met my expectations? I was told people are rude, it is dirty, it is expensive and hotel rooms are small. Well I expected all this so was not surprised. In contrast it is not expensive to eat or drink. Su hates the place, me I want to explore more....my only mistake cutting down on my camera gear and leaving the battery charger behind...URGH Stupid,Stupid mistake! Today we will do a bus tour...and hopefully the mist will clear and I will go up the tower.

No one is using those darn bikes!