Hello all,

I arrived in Paris O.K. Despite the lack of leg room, screaming kids, unidentifiable meat (looked like raw salmon but tasted like ham), stale bread, and bad cheese, my flight went alright. I got in at the right time with no delays and actually got my luggage. Holy jet lag though--6 hours difference, so I got in at 9 am and didn't get any sleep. Oh yea...and where was customs? I practically got strip searched leaving Canada, but enterering France (and Finland) there was nothing.

I found my shuttle guy O.K. and he drove me to the right hotel because when I booked it the wrong address came up, so I put under "special instructions" the correct address. He had trouble finding the hotel, but called and then found it. I went in with about 70 kg of luggage my room wasn't ready...so I had to come back in the afternoon...so I made them keep it all and went off exploring. Oh, and they knew no English at the "tourist desk" at the hotel...so not impressed. I walked around a bit and its in a dodgy neighbourhood.

After a long walk, I ended up seeing some interesting stuff. I saw the Cimetiere Montamartre, Place de Clichy Centre, Gare Lazare, Trinite d'Estein d'Oves, St. Augustin, Opera Garnier, and the Galleries Lafayette (which is a huge mall--and beleive or not...I did no shopping).

At around 4pm I headed back to the hotel to get my bags into my room. I lugged my bags up 3 flights of twisting stairs...and Trisha would so shut the place down...as the building is not up to code :) I could barley get my luggae through the hallway...definately not the required 3 '. The room....oh my goodness...K it had a very sexy red VELOUR carpet. The view was a wall (I took a picture). There was no bathroom. I never did find the showers, but the toilet was located in the hall in a place called the "water closet."

I decided to drop my bags off and go for another walk. I thought it was interesting that they had toilets on the street that you have to pay 0.40 cents to use. These washrooms were everywhere, and I still saw three people peeing on the street. It's now about 7 pm and I got my first cue too go back when a Frenchman said something to me. I'm glad I didn't understand him....turned around and headed back, but this time I'm on the Moulin Rouge strip. The theatre was very cool, except all around it is peep shows and all that, so here I am wanderering around pornoland on my own...got a few more obscene remarks..but made it, the block to my hotel and retired to my single uncomfortable bed early.

XO
Krissy

Pictures:

1. Grand Hotel

2. Eglise de la Trinité

3. Mouln Rouge

4. Opéra Garnier