June 16 First day in Paris

[Michelle A Thurston]

n to Paris via St Pancras station.  Note. This station is huge watch for International gates. It's a bit confusing. You must be through  security  30 mins prior to departure or you can't board. Luggage is your problem to get In abd off the trains so pack light. We didn't lol but its ok. We made it work. Btw. Most tube stations gave stairs 10 to 32 steps per stair well. If your dragging luggage be sure to find a friendly Brit to assist. I got the look from Liz for allowing this. LOL. We have met a few nice people in Britain. Most keep  to themselves  and don't speak. It was the strangest thing for us since we Americans talk a whole lot. Friendly we are. 
 
The Eurostar is the way to leave London. Convenient on the tube station and the ride smooth 2 hrs 15 mins or so. So fast. France is beautiful. The countryside looks much like upstate NY.  It's sunny and we're hoping for warmer weather. London proved to be mostly cloudy and a chill in the air.

Well we're ten mins from Paris Gare du Nord. So excited to hear the announcements in francais. A little scary as the Parisians aren't so nice to us 

The taxis are on strike so our choice was bus 54 N or a private driver. We took the private driver and felt like, on arrival we had already made a donation to France. They started at 90E and managed to get them down to 50E for the drive. It was worth it curb to cub service.  
.

Dinner this eve started with a antipasto plate and a drink. Bar LUSH. Very small located  on rue des dames but quaint and the attendee was Irish so pleased to see Americans. Dinner next door was a true French dining experience in the gardens at  Bistrot des Dames. Pretty sure we will be back there  to eat.

Headed to a Boulangerie Patisserie   for some croissants and juice for morning. Tomorrow will be more fun at the
 Avenue des Champs-Élysées (French pronunciation: [av(ə).ny de ʃɑ̃.ze.li.ze]) is a boulevard in the 8th  which runs between the Place de la Concordeand the Place Charles de Gaulle, where theArc de Triomphe is located. It is famous for its theatres, cafés and luxury shops, and for the military parade that takes place each year on the avenue on 14 July to celebrate Bastille Day. The name is French for Elysian Fields, the paradise for dead heroes in Greek mythology.

Ok so I learned real quick not to snap pics of the Parisians.
This man came running up to me pointing at my phone. I thought he wanted to use it. I kindly said non. Can't call. He mumbled something in French  and proceeded want to look through my pics thinking I had one of him. NOT. Weird actually Bizarre.