29 Dec - Back to Paris

Posted on December 29, 2008

After a short 40 minute delay in the Chunnel, I arrived back in Paris mid day and decided to take the metro to my hotel. I missed Paris already and was glad to be back. I’d Googled the address and found it on the metro map and set off. It was quite a ways, basically about 3/4 of the length of the route…or so I thought. Apparently I put in the wrong zip code for the address (by one number) and this took me several (10 or 12 blocks) further than I needed to be. I had no idea how far it was up the street (most streets in Paris central change names a bit between points) but Blvd Raspail is long and continuous, so not being sure I just walked, dragging my suitcase behind me. It turned out to be quite far and by the time I got to the hotel, I was a little tired. The hotel itself is modern inside, almost efficient. It’s the K&K Hotel Cayres. The price is around about what I’ve paid for my other hotels on this journey but I wouldn’t rank it the same. It’s clean, friendly and everything is fine, but there’s definitely something Ikea about it. The bed is a double (the site advertises queen), there is no tub, only a nice shower and the room/bathroom are very small. If you want to be pampered and treated like a $500 a night hotel should…this one’s not for you. That said, it’s still very nice and everyone was efficient and prompt to take care of my needs. I think if you’re spending very little time in your hotel room, and it’s just you, it’s fine.

But the shower is hot, the bathroom floor is heated and the bed was clean…and really at this point in my trip that’s all I wanted. I splurged on more comfortable places early because I wanted one solid thing I could rely on each day, so that no matter what else happened (got lost, mugged, drenched in rain, assaulted by wild pugs, whatever) I knew I would be able to return to my centrally located, perfectly comfortable hotel room and be taken care of. Trust me when I say it makes a lot of difference having that piece of mind.

I showered off and warmed up and headed out for food. I’ve been becoming increasingly at ease going into strange places, ordering and eating. I think it sounds like such a simple thing, and it should be. But I want to be able to order properly and not make a fool of myself and waste people’s time. I’ve learned that in most small cafes, you can simply walk in, greet the waiter or host and sit down. Sometimes they’ll give you a general direction, sometimes you can just sit where you like. I witnessed someone sitting at a large table when they’re were just two people and the waiter actually asked them politely to sit at a table for two. I’m glad I had picked up on that, and was treated very well at the cafe I went to when I sat at a small out of the way table. I ordered a a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and salad and a French beer (Croque Monsieur au Poulet avec frites et salade, et un biere Francais, or Kronenberg. It was a small bar and cafe, and the owners (a husband and wife) basically ran the place. He was head waiter and bartender, she was the chef. I caught her watching me after my food was delivered and she sort of gestured and asked how it was. I told her everything was good, c’etait bien! and I cleaned my plate except for all the fries. She was very warm and friendly to me when I left, smiling and telling me to have a good evening. I sincerely believe that politeness and a general compliment when things are good go a long way here. So far they have for me and I hope it continues.

I headed out across the Seine after that for some photos at sunset of the river and Louvre, and a couple of the Paris skyline. There was a bit of haze as a storm’s moving in but it made for a few interesting shots I think. As the cold and dark set in, I started back, stopping only for another power adapter (the ones I brought died, and were unnecessary anyway since everything I brought was European voltage compliant), grabbed a drink at the bar and called it a night.

I’m so happy to be back in Paris.