Well, we made it!
We arrived in Paris on Tuesday morning on a WOW Airlines flight from Baltimore by way of Reykjavik (more about the flight below). We are each traveling with two carry-on size suitcases, which we checked through. We’re carrying a few things that wouldn’t pass security (liquids, corkscrew, cheese knife) and the allowance was only one carry-on on board. In a later post, I’ll share the contents of these bags for those of you who’ve wondered, ‘Just what to you pack for a 6-month trip?’
After retrieving our bags and getting some cash from an ATM, we proceeded to the train station where we purchased Navigo passes that allow us to use the Metro, buses and RER trains. These are sold in weekly and monthly increments, so we got one of each to carry us through our time here. The trip into town took about an hour and our Airbnb apartment is about a block from the St. Paul Metro stop.
The apartment is small but comfortable for the two of us…a living room/dining room, galley kitchen, bedroom (with a nice big, firm bed!) & 1.5 baths. We rearranged a few things to make the closet space work and were able to unpack!!
The weather has been glorious…sunny with highs in the mid 70s…great for walking as we reacquaint ourselves with this lovely city. We’ve located close-by a wine shop, a boulangerie (ahhh, the bread!), a cheese shop, a Franprix grocery that squeezes fresh OJ, and even a little foie gras shop! (Those of you who know Rick understand the importance of this…)
Review of WOW AIRLINES: It is cheaper than the competition even with the extra fees…checked luggage (everything is weighed so pay attention to weight limits), extra leg room (worth it!). Food and water are for sale on board. I say bring a good sandwich and be sure to bring a bottle of water (it’s cheaper in the airport than on board…).
This weekend we’ll be embarking on a Locavore City Tour. Stay tuned…
My mouth is watering. The apartment looks lovely. Would love it if you would also cover–along with the packing list write-up–a description of how you will be accessing secure servers for wifi connections. Inquiring minds want to know everything!
OH it sounds so lovely, what a joy that you are able to do this. With all that good food, bread, chees and wine I suggest you walk as much as you can!! Have a wonderful time.
We are glad you made it to Paris and are comfortably settled into your apartment. We enjoyed reading your blog. I have had some flashbacks from our 1965 trip and especially our time in Paris. I hop Rick has brushed up on his French. I remember our lunch in the south of France where I learned the word fro ham. Have a great time and thanks for keeping us in the loop.
Bienvenu a Paris! Glad all has gone well, and that Mother Nature is cooperating. Ahh! le vin et le fromage. Lots of us are traveling with you. OXO