More about PARIS

Observations:
Traffic in Paris has no rhyme or reason especially at “roundabouts”. There doesn’t seem to be any rules. No stop lights, no stop signs nor any yield signs, just a free for all. I watched in fascination as incoming traffic just drove in and traffic in the circle just continued on. I watched in horror as bike riders entered the fray! I held my breath as motor cycles just weaved in and out of the traffic. I haven’t even mentioned the buses! They just take the right away. The thing is… I didn’t see even one accident. How they managed to drive in Paris I’ll never know. But I know I’ll never drive there!
Now parking is another thing I couldn’t figure out. The parking is very limited so they just park bumper to bumper. I mean that literally. In many cases, there wasn’t so much as a few inches between the cars. How they parked and how they got out I couldn’t figure out. I meant to take a picture, but didn’t get around to it.

Eiffel Tower: It’s BIG. I mean really BIG. Much larger than I expected. Our USO tour guide (Kim) told us to get right in line as soon as we arrived, although it was 30 minutes before it opened. Good thing we got in line by 0830 as there was already a line forming. The ticket office opened at 9am. We waited in line about 30 minutes for tickets, then waited another 30 minutes to get the elevator to the 2nd floor and another 15 minutes to get the elevator to the top. Yes that was quite a wait, but well worth it. Luckily it wasn’t hot so the wait wasn’t too bad. C and I “Peopled Watched.” Lots of different nationalities. The view from the top was amazing. It was a clear day, so we could see the entire city. I took lots of photos and I still didn’t take enough. By the way, did you know there’s a toilet on the top level of the tower? It cost you 50cents (about 75 cents US)to use the toilet. I know I used it! 50 cents to Pee!

Signs, signs everywhere there are signs

Paris is full of signs. Why did I keep taking photos of them? Who knows, but I did.

Back from Paris

Yes, I'm back BUT I'm too tired to mess with the photos (100+).

We got back just after 2am. That's 24 hours from start to finish. 5 hour drive (+1 hour dinner break). That leaves 12 hours in Paris.

Here's some things I intend to blog about when I am up to thinking clearly:

Paris Traffic (WILD)

Bike and motor cycle riders (dangerous)

Parking (Bumper to Bumper)

WALKING (to much)

Notre-Dame (couldn't get inside)

Arc de Triomphe (impressive)

Dome des Invalides (Tomb of Napoleon I)

Eiffel tower (did you know there's a toilet on the top floor? There is... I used it, cost 50 cents)

and of course my traveling companion "C" and her drinking problem.

Last word for today: It was a long trip, the weather was perfect, "C" knew the city and made it easier to get around, it was very crowded, and I'M STILL TIRED.

I'm going to Paris in the morning!

And by morning I mean 2am! We catch the USO bus at 2am! I didn't know that was a real time. But I'm going......

We get back Sunday morning around 2am.

Hope I can sleep on the bus.

I'm taking Tom's little sony camera, cause I don't want to carry my big one all day. I'll take photos (you know I will), but you won't see them until I get some sleep on Sunday (after I drive home of course).

Ever had one of those days?