I picked them up at the airport early on Saturday morning and helped them get to their apartment that they were renting. It was in an awesome location, literally right behind the Musée D'Orsay. Anyways, on our way to the apartment our first adventure commenced. We were changing from the RER B to the RER C at Saint Michel waiting on the platform for a train to come. The train arrives and the crowds are horrible; Meghan gets on first with her luggage and Katie gets on second, just barely making it on without being squished by the closing doors. I'm still standing on the platform watching the doors close before my eyes and trying to communicate to them to get off at the next stop and wait for me there. As I'm waiting for the next train to arrive I'm hoping and praying that they got the message. Thankfully they did because once I got off at the next stop they were sitting there waiting patiently for me. After dropping off their stuff and them freshening up a bit we had some lunch at a little place that I know in the area and then we headed out to explore and get some Berthillon's ice cream.
Le Louvre
Walking along the Seine
Les Bouquinistes
La Seine
Le Pont Neuf
Notre Dame de Paris
On Sunday I headed into Paris bright and early because Meghan was running in the Paris marathon and I was going to be meeting up with Katie to cheer on her sister. This was my first time ever watching a marathon and it was so much fun! We had planned out three different spots of where we would be along the course of the race so that Meghan could keep an eye out for us. It was great running around the city and seeing all the runners. Katie had made a sign on a bright blue poster board for Meghan and it was so funny because we were the only ones holding a sign, clearly Europeans don't do stuff like that.
Standing along la Rue de Rivoli early on a Sunday morning is one of the best things. It is so quiet and there is practically nobody out and about
Participants in the marathon that are in wheelchairs
Participants in the marathon that are legally blind (they have a guide with them that they are attached to the wrist with a string)
All the runners towards the beginning of the race
I met up with Katie and we got hot chocolate from Angelina's in to go cups and headed over to the Château de Vincennes because that was to be the next point where Meghan was to keep an eye out for us. We literally just made it in time which was such a blessing! We walked over to where the course was and Katie stuck her head through the crowd and literally five seconds later Meghan ran past! We couldn't get over how perfect timing that was.
The spectators at Le Bois de Vincennes
Near Le Château de Vincennes
Le Château de Vincennes
We then made our way over to la Seine near the Louvre and had to wait a bit before we saw Meghan run past but it was great fun and the view wasn't too bad either.
All the runners
The nice views from the course
We met up with Meghan when she finished the race and she did a fantastic job. It was a great day and lots of fun getting to experience the excitement of a marathon.
On Monday I met up with Katie & Meghan in the afternoon and we went over to Notre Dame and there happened to be a rehearsal going on for a concert the next day so that was cool. We also checked out the Luxembourg gardens and I took them over to my favorite crêpe stand in that area.
Katie, Meghan & I at Notre Dame
The concert rehearsal
They were really good
On Tuesday I met up with Katie & Meghan one last time in the afternoon before they headed off to London. We met in front of the Musée D'Orsay and had a nice time checking it out. Our second little adventure happened on our way out of the museum. They took the elevator down and I decided to take the stairs because the elevator was full, I told them I would meet them down there. Well when I get down they are no where to be found. I was searching everywhere in the museum and was starting to get a bit concerned because they don't speak French and they don't know the city that well. After a half hour or longer of searching and not knowing where else to look I finally decided to sit in the middle section and wait because if they were still in the museum they would most likely pass through there. So I'm sitting there waiting and I get a text message and open it and it is from Katie saying that they were waiting outside. As I was starting to walk towards the exit I hear my name called and there is Meghan at the top of the stairs. I was so thankful that I'd found them because I was starting to get concerned that something had happened to them. I guess somehow we kept missing each other because they both came back in and were searching for me and I was searching for them. It was quite the adventure to say the least. The part that I found funny was that they were really concerned about me thinking that something had happened to me and I was like, "no, I'm fine, I was concerned about you guys because I speak the language and know the city and whatnot." After that we went over to my favorite chocolate store (where one of the ladies that works there recognized me; I don't know if I should take that as a good sign or a bad one) which was greatly needed. We had a great time exploring the city and ate dinner together before I headed back to the house for the night.
It was such a wonderful time meeting fellow Americans and getting to share Paris with them. We had some great adventures along the way and in the process I made two new friends. Hopefully they enjoyed the city and will be able to get back to explore more of what France has to offer.
