Today was a long day. It started at 5:00 AM because I wanted to do a dry run to gare de l'Est train station to make sure I have enough time to catch the 7:04 AM train to Metz tomorrow. So, if I leave at 5:30 to 5:45 AM to catch the metro, I'll have enough time to get a caffe and croissant before I board.
St. Vincent de Paul church
Every time I turn a corner, it seems there is a monument or church of some kind to visit. After leaving the train station this morning, I came across this old church with two clock towers. The doorway was so dark and old looking, I thought it must be abandoned. No. There was a sign out front announcing Mass times.
NOTE: McDonalds has the only reliable and relatively fast public wifi available. For the price of a cup of Mickey D's coffee, I got to pee and check email, and text with my friend about where to meet tomorrow.
I got lost a couple times in the 10th Arrondissement. Not really in the internet age and carrying a 20th century map. But I just wandered taking photos of street scenes.
Wide sidewalks, shade trees and off-street bike lanes
I've had to learn to look both ways for bikes and cars, and to not walk in the bike lanes. Very nice. I wish I had this on some parts of my bike commute to work.
The corners impress me. There's a cafe or shop and lots of signs that make for an interesting mix of colors and commotion on almost every corner. Here are a couple shots of corners I came across.
People are busy on their way
I've noticed how little eye contact people make here. I smile and they keep going with no nod or smile back. But when I've stopped to look at my map, to see how to get somewhere, twice people have patiently helped me find my way. They go about their business but seem to watch out for one another, even strangers.
I liked the colors on this corner and the ever-present motorbike
Electric cars charging in their parking spaces
I'll bet these are not privately owned cars, but common use cars that you rent by the hour, or whenever you need a car. With the great public transportation, I would not own a car if I lived in Paris.
So, I had not planned on visiting Notre Dame today, but there it was. Dang! Is it an impressive building? Is the Pope a catholic?
Notre Dame on a cloudy, rainy day in Paris
I don't need more photos, but I may have to come back again
Inside or outside. I don't know what is more impressive. And the stained glass is beautiful throughout.
People were lighting and leaving candles all around the inside of the church
One of my favorite photos today was of a quiet street with almost no one on it. School had just let out after I left Notre Dame. I was probably 'lost' again, having taken some side street. I turned a corner with a parent and child, and it was serene. The Seine to the left, cars parked and no honking horns to the right, and large wet cobblestones to walk on.
I had to stop and enjoy the peace and quiet in the middle of Paris.
Check out all of the photos (I took too many inside so scroll) at the link below:
I'm not sure when the next blog entry will be because I don't know the wifi situation while I'm visiting in Metz. But, I'll be back Saturday and be blogging then or Sunday for sure. And all my twitter followers will still get regular updates. @mistermallow.
BEAUTIFUL pictures!!!
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