Posted by October 26, 2018 – Paris, France
My train arrived on time at 2:35pm. I had skipped lunch so i got a sandwich at the station to take to the hotel. I walked out of Gare Nord, crossed the street, found Rue la Saint Quentin and HOTEL WHISTLER. The hotel is completely decorated with old travel trunks and cases. The desk in my room was an attached suitcase which when opened had a desk top. The bed was large and very comfortable I went out to peruse the neighborhood. There is a mixture of brasseries and middle eastern kebab shops. There were many people milling around outside the station. I went to a brasserie and sat ourside and had a Leffe beer. I returned to the hotel to rest before dinner. About 630pm i ventured out. It was raining and every block I went down had people just standing around. I didn’t feel comfortable out alone so I went back to the hotel. Since i ate lunch so late, I decided to skip dinner. Next time, I’ll stay in a better neighborhood.
October 27, 2018 – Paris
I had a great night’s sleep. I went downstairs to the breakfast buffet. It was the best breakfast of the trip – fresh squeezed orange juice, perfectly cooked bacon, soft scrambled eggs, fresh figs, and cafe au lait. YUMMY!
After breakfast, I took a shower and repacked my bags to lighten my back pack. At 1015am I went over to the station to buy my ticket to the airport. There were no ticket agents so everyone had to use the machines. After waiting on line for 10 minutes, I discovered that the machine that I was in line for did not accept cash bills or credit cards. I didn’t have enough change to buy the ticket. I waited 20 minutes on the next line but finally got a ticket. I headed back to the hotel and checked out. I was able to get on an express train to CDG so I was at the airport by 1145am for a 425pm flight. I found a restaurant and had a burger with fries and 2 glasses of wine. A good way to start the trek home.
I had a business class ticket so I was able to use the lounge until boarding time. While on line I met a couple who moved to Spain 1 1/2 years ago. They are headed home to Lafayette to empty their storage unit. They really love Northern Spain and are working on their landed immigrant status.
The flight took 11 1/2 hours arriving 1/2 hour late due to headwinds. Thanks to Global Entry, I made it through immigration quickly. Unfortunately my bag was one of the last out. My friend Julie picked me up and I was home at 8:30pm. In bed by 9pm.
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