On our own, today. No wake-up call, no buses, no racing bicyclists and no free SWAG. We checked out of the Hotel Astrid because we need to relocate to our new home away from home at Hotel Claude Bernard.
But first we will explore this area some more with Wayne, Janet and Jacob. Leaving our bags in the lobby of Hotel Astrid we head back out. I mentioned in an earlier post about small towns in France that around any corner you could be treated to a great sight. The same applies to Paris but on a grand scale. Beautiful structures with exquisite detail can be found on the shortest walk. Or the simplest of necessities. Lots of cars in Paris & no room for a gas station? Plunk some pumps into a traffic island and make a fortune. Again, all roads lead to the Eiffel Tower so we let them wander there while we explored the open market on the river.
On to the left bank. Hotel Claude Bernard is in the area of Paris near the Sorbonne and only a few blocks walk from Notre Dame. A short (time wise) cross-town Metro ride and we're there. Now, I don't know about people from the large cities of the U.S. do when they come out of a subway but people from small cities in the midwest look for a map; then we look for the "You are here" on the map; then we look for a north arrow painted on the sidewalk - which is never there. Okay, we are here and we're not stupid people but it's anybodies guess as to which direction to go to get to the hotel which is there. We did, ultimately, head off in the right direction and find Hotel Claude Bernard. Custom Getaways knew how to finish well because Hotel Astrid was marvelous whereas HCB was a little small, a little rough but very cool.
On Monday's a lot of the sights in Paris are closed. On top of this Elane's foot developed a blister so Janet suggested a cruise on the Seine. Great idea! We cruised past the Eiffel Tower, again, Notre Dame and a series of other magnificent structures. Even the bridges have art to share or a story to tell. The railings on Pont Neuf tell of couples who seal their love with a padlock before throwing the key into the Seine.
Dinner tonight was at Restaurant Polidor and, finally, a dinner for WJ&J at a restaurant that wasn't serving a tour group. A great recommendation by Rick Steve's, the Polidor was a fabulous choice. After a run to the ATM because they "...do not accept credit cards since 1868", we sat at a bench table among others enjoying simple, delicious brasserie fare. Jake's chicken drew raves while my boeuf bourguignon was insanely succulent. Mine was followed by a lemon tart - and in France the word "tart" means what it says; just the way I like it.
After making plans to return on our last night, we head to our rooms.
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