The Lady arrives in Paris
So I did manage to find a willing volunteer to lift my bag down in the train. I had been lining up a group of young Frenchmen who had also camped out in the dining car, but wasn't sure my miming skills would be up to the task. Then music to my ears, English being spoken by two guys at the end of the car. My man readily agreed to help out when we got to Paris. It turned out to be just punishment for his incessant, loud conversation over the next 2 hours.
I seemed to take an alternative exit from the station, as I emerged in a smallish street. There was a Taxis sign, plenty of parked taxis, but alas no taxi drivers. An Australian couple behind me were also somewhat bewildered by the situation, but decided to walk back to the Taxi sign. As they did, a taxi pulled up to drop off a passenger. Mrs Aussie went over to him and asked if he was free for passengers. A good move, I acknowledged, but was feeling too drained and bewildered to do such a sensible thing myself. Cabbie indicated yes, he was free and wonderful Mrs Aussie pointed to me and said, well she is first. I could have hugged her. So I gratefully took my bag over to claim the cab, thanking her profusely. Cabbie then asked where Aussie couple were going and said he could take both fares, but would drop "The Lady first". What a brilliant outcome. Apparently there was some traffic issue and cabs were finding it difficult to turn into the street, so it could have been sometime before another taxi arrived. Still not sure where all the drivers of the parked taxis were.
Mrs Aussie sat in front seat keeping up a stream of conversation with the driver. He was wonderful, pointing out various sights and landmarks but I was not too engaged. Whenever he asked a question of Mrs Aussie, like where are you from, she would readily respond and then he would ask "and the Lady?" It amused me greatly. When he announced, This is the Lady's hotel, it was time for goodbyes.
Le General Hotel is located between Republique and Oberkampf Metro stations. I only booked it in July when I cancelled my Airbnb due to no air-con, despite being advertised as such. The hotel was very well located, a nice quiet street, close to many restaurants, but gosh, what a teeny tiny room. No cupboard, just some open hanging space, but a good size bathroom and it was clean and comfy. I suspect my room at Lari's was bigger though! I was disappointed to realise there was no fridge, so a handy stock of yoghurt and cheese, olives etc was not possible. I had dinner at a well reviewed Italian place directly across the road. The carbonara was expensive and just okay, but the rose was good.
Early-ish night after a long and tiring day.
I seemed to take an alternative exit from the station, as I emerged in a smallish street. There was a Taxis sign, plenty of parked taxis, but alas no taxi drivers. An Australian couple behind me were also somewhat bewildered by the situation, but decided to walk back to the Taxi sign. As they did, a taxi pulled up to drop off a passenger. Mrs Aussie went over to him and asked if he was free for passengers. A good move, I acknowledged, but was feeling too drained and bewildered to do such a sensible thing myself. Cabbie indicated yes, he was free and wonderful Mrs Aussie pointed to me and said, well she is first. I could have hugged her. So I gratefully took my bag over to claim the cab, thanking her profusely. Cabbie then asked where Aussie couple were going and said he could take both fares, but would drop "The Lady first". What a brilliant outcome. Apparently there was some traffic issue and cabs were finding it difficult to turn into the street, so it could have been sometime before another taxi arrived. Still not sure where all the drivers of the parked taxis were.
Mrs Aussie sat in front seat keeping up a stream of conversation with the driver. He was wonderful, pointing out various sights and landmarks but I was not too engaged. Whenever he asked a question of Mrs Aussie, like where are you from, she would readily respond and then he would ask "and the Lady?" It amused me greatly. When he announced, This is the Lady's hotel, it was time for goodbyes.
Le General Hotel is located between Republique and Oberkampf Metro stations. I only booked it in July when I cancelled my Airbnb due to no air-con, despite being advertised as such. The hotel was very well located, a nice quiet street, close to many restaurants, but gosh, what a teeny tiny room. No cupboard, just some open hanging space, but a good size bathroom and it was clean and comfy. I suspect my room at Lari's was bigger though! I was disappointed to realise there was no fridge, so a handy stock of yoghurt and cheese, olives etc was not possible. I had dinner at a well reviewed Italian place directly across the road. The carbonara was expensive and just okay, but the rose was good.
Early-ish night after a long and tiring day.
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| Did discover this great tip at the perfect time though |
I was so happy when these posts arrived in my inbox this morning! Love your blogs. I really feel part of your travels when I read them. We do have to have a bit of luck along the way don’t we to help things along? I’ve been thanking people who are nice, provide good service, complimenting them on their food etc whenever we have a good experience and I sometimes feel as though I’m Peggy Cook. Invariably, you are rewarded with a wonderful smile and something like “You’ve made my day”. How could you not love the good things in life?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure all the girls are at least a little bit Peggy Cook, and that's a wonderful thing. I was so grateful to Mrs Aussie for getting me in a cab. One of those days where sensible coping ideas had escaped me. Kindness of strangers.
ReplyDelete