Bienvenue a Paris! -- updated

Updated as of 00:51 14 May

and yes, I know some of the pictures are broken.

Well, we made it to Paris! The flight was about like I expected -- had the feeling of being chained to a radiator for 10 hrs. Drama on the flight -- the people sitting next to us were a gay couple who were celebrating their 30th anniversary who was throwing a fit because they wanted to be in first class. I don't know if they had booked a ticket there, or what but the flight crew was doing some serious schmoozing....idk

We landed about 9:40 local time (GMT +1) and after navigating the chaos that is Charles de Gaulle Airport we found the RER and headed into the city. This was Will and Mike's first experience with the metros. That went pretty well, but when we got into Gare du Nord to switch lines a little more explaining how the system works was in order. We had found the apartment by 11:30 (I LOVE Google Maps!!) and then set off in search for the elusive Sandwich Grec (aka Doner Kebab. Turns out, there are 3 such establishments within 5 min walk from the apartment. Whooooo!!

We met Olivier at the apartment at 1:20 to get the keys, etc...and after stretching out a bit, headed to Chinatown to find a money changer (the rates they give in Chinatown (Metro -- Tolbiac) are WAY WAY WAY better than what they give pretty much everywhere else). Bill, Will, and Mike (aka Meathead) set off for the Louvre, while I went off to explore. Feet hurting and the rain drawing ever nearer, I retreated back to the apartment to give the dogs a rest and drop off/pick up a couple of things.

Went to the Franprix supermarket by the apartment and picked up an assortment of stuff for dinner. The rest of the crew were all still wandering around the city having a history lesson courtesy of Professor Wood, so I took off and had my own walkabout to parts of the city I've never been to. Neat stuff...esp. the chinatown area.

We all met back up at 10ish on the steps of Sacre Coeur and ate all the stinky meat and cheese that I bought earlier. All in all, a good and busy day!

more to follow