Aux Champs-Elysses! (Paris Part 2)

Paris Day 2: We took the Montmartre – Grand Boulevards route for the morning. We stopped at Madeleine and also saw views of Le Printemps (Harrods of Paris), and Gare Saint Lazarre. Near Moulin Rouge, Kheli spotted a KFC. He wasn’t going to miss it. They don’t have KFC in Turin, so he hasn’t had one since coming to Europe – a year ago. Inevitably, it was chicken for lunch. We sat next to a couple of Filipino ladies. Either they were snobs, or they thought we were. Shame, I would’ve loved to chat with them, learn about their jobs, etc. Then back to Moulin Rouge for our bus to take us around and back to Place de la Concorde… pass views of Sacre Coeur up the top of the Montmartre Hill, two more major Gares, and a few magnificent fountains all with names too difficult to pronounce or even spell…

Printemps, Paris

In Iana Traiteur near KFC Moulin Rouge

crepe vendor on Champs-Elysses

The Louvre

In the afternoon, we got stuck in Champs-Elysees again… surprise! We were there late enough to see the avenue turn into a sparkling promenade. From here, we also contacted our accommodation for the night. On the last minute, Kanootz’ eldest sister (Karen) was able to speak w/ an old friend living in Paris. He (Karen’s friend) was vacationing in the Philippines but was able to give us the number of his relative living in Central Paris.

Champs-Elysses: Arc de Triomphe end

Champs-Elysses: Concorde end

Citroen building: inside

Citroen building: outside

boys' toys

Aunty Nessy was her name. On the phone, we took directions from her for later and then enjoyed Champs-Elysses a bit longer. We even ended up having dinner in a posh Chinese/Thai resto a block away from Arc De Triomphe. That set us back another 60E. Another big OUCH! Just as well, we’ve got FREE accommodation for our last 2 nights in Paris - ahh, the perks of being a Filipino!

tip of domed church within les invalides

sort of sundial in les Invalides

Sweets in Lav. Pattis-

Lavender Patisserie

Aunty Nessy’s place is in Courcelles. Not far from Charles De Gaulle station beneath the Arc De Triomphe. It would’ve been easy enough to find, except our map didn’t have the street name she mentioned. We got lost; I even tripped and got my bottom wet by a frozen puddle on a curb. It turns out; her place was only a few meters from the Courcelles station. Aunty Nessy’s lives in a small but comfortable service room on the 5th floor provided for her by her Jewish boss. There was a lift to get to her place, even tinier than the hotel’s - less than a meter square in floor space, but still handy.

Romantic Courcelles Stataion to Aunty Nessy's

view from Aunty Nessy's

Aunty Nessy's room decor: Chocoyum!

Aunty Nessy's bedroom lighting

She was very kind, even gifted me with a matching red hat and pashmina (which I wore for the rest of the trip). Fortunately, we managed to grab a couple of French fragranced soaps for her from Sephora before leaving the shopping district. Everything was small in her place – small chairs, small table, small fridge, and small shower… except for her very large (1.5m) LCD screen TV compliments of her boss. She is a practicing Jehovah’s Witness… so, inevitably, we had a very interesting 2 nights. It’s amazing though how she just opened up to us about her story. She was very accommodating, and very caring to all 3 of us. And then she told us we’re the same age as her own children. She’s not been home since she came to France 6 years ago. I really felt for her… but she seems to me a very strong woman who takes strength from her faith. God bless her heart.

Arc de triomphe: postcard shot

Next up: Paris Day 3...

written by

garcia on December 20, 2007 from Paris, France

from the travel blog: Got 2 see what's out there!

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