The Classic Walks of Paris
Its been long and I’ve never really had the time to sit down and blog. Well, I am in Madrid right now and will be here for some time. A Schengen VISA gives you great opportunities to travel and it gives you the opportunity to see great places. I have one and I didn’t miss the first opportunity I got. I was on my way to Madrid and since there are no direct flights from India to Madrid, I had to take the route via Paris. I reached CDG at around 8 AM in the morning and decided to see Paris as my flight was at 6 30 in the evening.
I left my luggage at the luggage counter on terminal 2A. This cost me 15 Euros, but I didn’t have the extra load to carry. They also promised me that since they have another counter at terminal 2F, the bag would be automatically transferred there. My flight to Madrid was from terminal 2F. Well that’s the first step. Then, I bought a Metro Day ticket for all zones. This cost me 18.50 Euros, but I thought maybe I would need it. I took the RER B and got down at Denfert Rochereau. Then I took the line 6 from there in the directin of Etoile and got down at Dupleix. This was as per plan and my research on the internet. Lisa from the Classic Walks of Paris had guided me and I just followed the instruction. I had to walk through Rue Humblot and then turn left along the park and reach Rue Bartholdi. Phew! The Classic Walks office was in front of me.
It was freezing cold in Paris and I was warmly greeted by our guide Blakely. Blakeley and I had a chat together and I got to know that Blakely was from Florida. Blakeley and me walked together to the Eiffel Towers and I took a break for Coffee. I met the rest of the gang (by gang, I mean people who were going to take the cycling tour together) below the Eiffel and we left for the office to collect our bicycles. The cost for the tour was 24 Euros plus a 1 Euro for the poncho. This was required as it was snowing outside.
We left for the tour. Our first stop was the Eiffel and the Peace Memorial. Blakely gave us tidbits on Parisian culture and architecture and how the Parisians hated the Peace Memorial. Really, it looked out of place. Next we went to a flea market and looked around. We went to the Cathedral and museums next. Our next main stop was the bridge over the Seine. Blakely told us that this was the most photographed bridge and this was built to commemerate peace between the French and the Russians. I really couldn’t hear what he was saying as I was always taking photographs and the snow was terrible.
We then stopped at a cafe for lunch. We had hot coffee and lunch. I had a veg sandwich and this meal again cost me around 11 Euros. Paris is expensive!
After lunch, we headed towards the Louvre and by that time, the cold was unruly. We then took a long ride back to the office.
I know that my description of the tour does not seem too detailed. In fact as I am writing this post after 1 week of taking the tour, I have quite forgotten the details. But the tour is what you have to take first in Paris. You will get to know what you have to see and what is important. But for me as I had very less time, I just got a glimpse of the city. I am sure, I ll go back to Paris some other time again.
Blakeley opened a bottle of wine at the office and the group had fun. After goodbyes and greetings, I left for the airport. I was a little early at the airport and the weather was bad. The flight was delayed and I left for Madrid at around 8 30. That’s two hours late. I fell asleep in the flight and got up only when it landed in Madrid. Juan came to pick me and we went to my hotel, which I had booked in the hustling bustling area of Sol in Madrid.
Well, then it was a lazy Sunday and work from Monday. Have got nothing really great to update.
