A Weekend in Paris

Thursday afternoon, I headed to the train station to experience my first Ryanair adventure.  Apparently budget travel has its drawbacks because it certainly wasn't a breeze to get to Paris. I took the metro to a shuttle bus that apparently doesn't run as frequently as the website indicates. We hopped into cabs to the airport.  After a seat scramble and a 2 hour flight to Paris, a jingle came on the speaker system and a flight attendant congratulated us on "being on another on-time flight." That was a first. After a good laugh, we got off the plane and learned that the airport was an hour and a half bus ride from Paris. Excitement was bubbling and we got our tickets and climbed aboard.  The picture taking started immediately.

Our Apartment

Once in Paris, we took a metro to Hotel de Ville and followed our instructions to the apartment my friends and I were renting for the weekend. We arrived at Rue de Archives, 9. Check. We found the keys, worked our way through several doors, up the winding staircase to the top floor.  Key in place, door swung open and vwala, we were home! The 6 of us to arrive first (of the 9 girls staying there) went to explore the apartment. Only.... Where was the whole thing?!?! It certainly didn't have all the rooms and beds described online.  There was a kitchenette and a small entry way with a couch leading to a small bedroom with a double bed and a bathroom.  It was turning out to be one cozy weekend!

Notre Dame

I traveled with my friend from Amit, Talia.  Let's just say we didn't stop until we dropped. On Friday, we woke up early only to discover that in Paris, things don't open early so we explored until they did. Then we arrived at Champs Elyees and walked the famous street, taking tons of pictures, until we arrived at the Arc de Triumphe.  The view from the top was spectacular!!! You could see all the major landmarks - everything we planned to visit over the next two and a half days, and more! Afterwards, we headed to a scrumptious lunch, thanks to Opi, at Annapunda - an INCREDIBLE Indian restaurant in the area. 

Moulin Rouge in Montmartre

Next we headed over to Montmartre for a tour of the neighborhood leading up to Sacre Cour. Unfortunately for us, we were the only 2 people to show up and they require a minimum of 3 participants to run a tour. So we walked around on our own.  Montmartre and Champs Elyees were total opposites but both charming in their own way. It was a fun juxtaposition to start our adventures in Paris. 

We went back to buy food and get ready for shabbas. After a very cute dinner around our shabbas candles, we both passed out at a ridiculously early hour. I guess we were wiped. I successfully recharged for another full day of touring! We started the morning with a walking tour (Sandeman New Europe Tours). Our Irish tour guide, Patrick, was adorable and clever and every bit as charming as the city he was showing us.  We walked over Pont Alexandre III and some other really beautiful bridges and saw all of the locks on the sides.  For those of you who aren't familiar with this ritual, you go with your significant other and a lock and you write your names on it, lock it to the bridge and toss away the key.  This ritual is performed on bridges in Rome as well. It was Valentines Day weekend so there were tons of couples declaring their eternal love for viewing on our tour. 

Afterwards, we doubled back and visited the Louvre. Unfortunately, we left our sandwiches in the one-key apartment and couldn't meet up with our friends until after shabbas.  You can imagine my state of affairs by the end of the day. Those of you who have seen me when I'm hungry and weak are probably glad you weren't with me. ;-)

Eifel Tower

After getting food Saturday night (I was very French and ordered vegetable quiche), we explored the Latin Quarter.  I had planned to meet up with a friend studying abroad in Paris but it didn't work out. 

Sunday, we packed up and prepared to squeeze every last drop out of our last moments in Paris. We went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle. Then, we picked up our bags to check out of our apartment. We went to the Orangie galleries and saw Monet's famous water lilies.  It was finally warm enough to eat outside so we ate sandwiches in the Jardin de Tuileries. We made sure to hit up the last important stops before heading to the airport including La Duree, Cafe Angelina, and the Eifel Tower. 

La Duree

Saint Chapelle

Infectious Kindness

I just got back from a flower shop in Trastevere.  The florist only spoke Italian, which made in an interesting "conversation." I went in armed with one Italian phrase that I was told to say to send flowers but the exact meaning I don't know.  After 20 minutes of drawing pictures, throwing around English and Italian words and trying the old speaking slower and louder in hopes of being understood, I walked out of the flower shop not very confident that my mission was successful. I can just hope and wait.  

I went there to send flowers to the Mimun family who has hosted Becca and me for 2 shabbat meals.  They are some of the nicest people I have ever met.  After generously opening their home to 2 students they had never met, they have continuously show us the upmost kindness.  My first visit was arranged by Chabad minutes before shabbas my first week in Rome.  When we arrived at their house late after getting lost, they were waiting on their porch scanning the streets to locate us and help us find our way in.  When they found out I am vegetarian, Mrs. Mimun pulled tons of food out of their fridge and loaded my plate with my own special meal.  The night concluded by 2 of the boys walking Becca and I to our separate apartments. Mine is a 50 minute walk from their apartment. 

We went back last shabbat for lunch and this time they prepared plenty of vegetarian food (for me and another guest). After lunch, they offered us leftovers to take back with us.  During my entire year in Israel, I invited myself for countless shabbat meals. The only people to offer me food to take home were my cousins Shmuel and Orly Kresh who rival the Mimuns for the kindness award. 

I am so appreciative to have met such warm and generous people here.  Being so far from home and all things familiar, it has helped so much to have met the Mimuns.  They truly make me want to be nicer and better.  There is something infectious about genuine kindness.  The world is an exponentially better place for the generosity and kindness of people like the Kreshes and Mimuns.