Until this day, the S.O. would always say we went to Paris on the same flight albeit him in Economy and I was in First, which made me appear like the tyrant born with a silver spoon. However, as all you good people of FlyerTalk would know the massive difference of both cabins and the effects it had during the journey and on arrival. I can tell you I was so glad I flew F: as it was the S.O's first trip to Europe, he was full of excitement right after landing. Charles de Gaulle airport!! The Paris metro! So sophisticated! The French language sounds so melodious! I literally had to hold him on a leash lest he run off with some Parisian teenager.
To be honest we live in Taipei, one of the most livable cities in the Asia with clean and efficient public transport. But of course, this is Paris - where even graffiti looked like something out of the Louvre and chewing gum stuck on floors appears like artwork by Pollock. So after a while I just let him be.
Goodbye Cathay F. Till we meet again!
At one point the S.O sent me this to remind me to bring him some ice cream from First.
Century-old Parisian metro.
On the way to our hotel at the 19th arrondissement.
After a short break we went out exploring. The S.O. said the Sacré-Cœur was within walking distance from our hotel. 30 minutes of ghetto and railway tracks later, we were greeted by this.
Picking up some French pastries on the way. These we don't have in the most livable city in Asia.
It was getting warm as the day progressed. By noon it had went up to nearly 35 degrees Celsius and quite unbearable outdoors. We went for a quick tour in the Opera to escape the heat.
Excited as he may be, the S.O. did quite a lot of research and studying on places to visit. He was the walking Google Maps and talking historian, albeit not a very efficient one.
As soon as check-in time at our hotel, we went back, turned the AC to full, and slept for a good 12 hours.
On our second day, hot as it was, the S.O. insisted we have to visit all the outdoor spots including Pont Alexandre III.
My parents recommended the Esplanade de Trocadero for Eiffel Tower viewing, instead of right beneath the metal asparagus itself. All the while the S.O. was paranoid about pickpockets. He would stash his cash in a bag under his shirt, and whenever he needs to pay it would take 15 minutes of fumbling and checking while exposing his back and belly. While I gently reminded him no pickpocket would want to steal from two young men wearing T-shirt and shorts like us. There were plenty of Balenciaga-clad, Givenchy-stepping Mainland tourists carrying Hermes Birkin bags around us. We were not worth the effort.
Soon he relaxed a little and we continued our walking tour in 37 degrees heat.
According to the S.O., this was the bridge they filmed one of the scenes in Inception.
And finally the Notre Dame, which just suffered a fire a few months prior.
Admiring all the suntanning fair-skinned ladies as we soak ourselves with sunblock and carries an umbrella wherever we go.
Next up: Taking the TGV to Avignon, a drive to Nimes, Roussillon, Pont du Gard, and Gordes.