Day 1- Arrive

On arrival we were going to meet Becs uncle but we were a little late and we couldnt find him.  I tried to call him but the phone numbers would never connect.  Serves me right for trying to use a public phone, i think these days they are just for show and are not actually connected to any network.  The airport people would have been looking at me and laughing.  

After being solicited numerous times for a taxi from strange black guys who promised me fixed price and 'last chance for big car'.  I lined up in the taxi line and jumped in a cab.  

The apartment is in a no-car street so we had to walk about 50 metres from where the cab dropped us off.  This would normally not be a problem, except for the fact we had 8 bags and a stroller.  The cabbie charged us 50euro and after stacking our bags on the side of the road, took off.  As i started to plan how the hell i was going to carry so many bags with just two adults, Bec put's her baby bag on the stroller and starts skipping down the road like the Wizard of Oz.  With true tetris mastership, i stacked the 70kg worth of luggage and dragged my feet toward our destination.  Who said Chivalry was dead!

Though the apartment is on the street, the entrance is is a dark alcove through a little dark alley.  I would never have found it if the owner hadn't pranced out yelling "mathieu mathieu".  I suppose how many people with a huge amount of luggage were wandering around the alley that day- it would have been a safe bet for her.  The apartment is a tiny 50m2 but is considered a mansion by parisian standards.  It was a exciting handover as i tested my French on the non-english speaking owner whilst she showed us the ins and outs of the apartment.

We all had a rest, had a shower and were absolutely starving.  We left the apartment to wander the street.  the street looks like it had been painted on a canvas.  Five storey buildings tower over a very narrow road covered in pedestrians.  I finally understand the purpose of the Juliette balconies as the quaint cast iron balustrades dressed ornate windows overlooking the street below.  the streets are all paved and lined with cafes and crepe take away joints making the bustling street even narrower.

I am satisfied with the location of the apartment- a true paris expecrience.  As we walk, Bec and I gather more and more excitement as the realisiation of our adventure settles in.  It was difficult finding a place to eat because there are so many and they were mostly empty.  We came across a little roundabout which was being used as a public square.  the surrounding restaurants were full of patrons drinking different types of cocktails ALL facing the street- not a single table had chairs facing each other, it looked like a theatre.

We sat at one of the bars and again, i tested my french.  With the eloquence of, what i can only assume, was a drunk camel, i requested a table for two and a food menu to replace the 8 page drinking menu they gave us.  The french onion soup was topped with a slice of bread and melted cheese and tasted absolutely amazing.  hearty and warm with the sweetness of onion, it really hit the spot. The other meals were chicken and a steak and EVEN THOUGH i ordered IN french,they tasted like chicken and a steak.  Though i should mention, the salad dressing was mustard- hope thats not a trend.

We wandered back to our apartment absolutely exhausted- time for bed and tomorrow....the adventure begins!