Follow our journey on this map.

Day 37. We finally made it to Paris. We got on the 9:50 departure; in Business Class no less! It was stressful trying to negotiate the flight but all was well in the end.

We easily got a cab and made our way to the apartment. Because of a number of wrecks on the motorway, we took some side streets. As I looked up, there was the L’arc de Triomphe right out the window. A few minutes later was Le Tour Eiffel. (I’m practicing my French; that’s all I got!).

Upon arrival at the condo we immediately relaxed when we saw our friends.

Yep, the tenor has definitely changed for this phase of our adventure. 2 couples from Jacksonville made the trek over and arrived earlier this morning. I’m not sure that Paris can survive our presence. We’ll see.

The condo is in a residential area in the 15th Arrondissement. Cafes are everywhere. A grocery store, pastry shop, cheese shop and butcher are all within a block. Best of all, a metro stop is literally across the street. The place is perfect for us with its 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Mae and I look out across the street and by looking just to the left of the steeple, we have a view of the Eiffel Tower. So cool at night.

We dropped our bags and headed out for lunch. Following that we strolled to the Eiffel Tower and a walk by the Seine. Upon returning to the condo a few of us caught cat naps. Then, not being a group that would miss a meal, those who had arrived today from the States rallied and we headed out for dinner followed by gelato. All within a block of us!

The photos below should indicate what’s in store for the next 8 days of Paris. Stay tuned…