What day is it?

OK, it’s Monday afternoon here, as I type, and I’m home after having ventured out this morning to discover my new quartier.

I enjoyed a coffee and croissant at a local bistro, lingering and watching people come and go in the misty streets of Paris.

On New Year’s Eve (two nights ago – and the evening of my arrival) Thomas and I met up at the Bon Marché department store to walk together to La Tour Eiffel. As we got closer, the crowd grew thicker and excitement was in the air as midnight approached. We took photos and selfies and awaited the arrival of 2023!

Afterwards, we decided to grab a very late bite at a nearby bistro. I was dressed to match the Iron Lady, in a shimmery top with champagne flute earrings paired with my jeans. We got a table inside, and enjoyed the frivolity all around us.

Heading home was crazier than I can explain. We expected things to calm down after we ate, but it was mayhem beyond mayhem. Not a car could move. I have never seen such a standstill, and it went on for blocks and blocks! Le Métro was no longer accepting riders, and there was no way we could hail a cab or Uber because no drivers were getting through this. We decided to WALK because there was no other choice, really. It would be a long one, and Thomas insisted on escorting me home. I think it was 3am by the time we arrived at my door. Thomas relaxed as he charged his phone at my place, and he decided to rent a motorized scooter to shoot back over to his hotel in the 3rd.

As I said, it was after 3am… did I mention I hadn’t really slept since leaving New York on 30dec22? It was a whole New Year later, and I was still awake since leaving NY, except for the nap on the plane. I told Thomas I would stay awake till he texted to let me know he’d arrived safely. That was a lie.

My phone dinged, and I awoke, fully clothed, lying across my bed, assuming it was Thomas, and quickly “liked” his text telling me he’d made it home. However, as my eyes cleared, I realized that text had come in 4 hours ago. What? OMG it was 8am. I hadn’t had that much champagne; this was jet lag. The phone alert I’d heard was my husband telling the family he’d arrived in Switzerland. I was so confused I fell back asleep for another I-don’t-know-how-many-hours-o’clock, knowing my son was safe and sound even though I’d slept through it.

Later that afternoon, this is now 01jan23, Thomas had already been back to the Eiffel Tower, climbed it, and had enjoyed as much French food favorites as a body can take, and I was still in and out of sleep. He invited me to dinner. We arranged to meet in the 3rd district, after he took a turn napping. Most places were closed for the New Year holiday, but we found a cozy petit resto and enjoyed drinks and a bite. He and his friend had escargot et des cuisses de grenouilles. I started with une coupe de champagne. Quelle surprise! It was to be our parting meal, as he was off (traveling by TGV) to Zermatt to do some skiing on the Matterhorn, meeting up with his Dad. Such a jet-setter! I’ll miss his company here.

If you’re keeping count, I’ve had champagne since take-off from NY.

02jan23

I slept well, and after my morning coffee, I went to a different grocery store. (I am living large, aren’t I?) In my defense, it takes awhile to stock up the apartment, and I’m still figuring out the neighborhood. Those church bells ring me home every time, though, and this morning was no exception.

As I neared home and walked through the Saint-Sulpice square, I offered to take photos of families in front of the church and/or fountain. I was thanked in many different languages, but I always only ever respond in French. (My cab driver had told me to speak French and only French every day.)

After checking the calendar I decided today was the best day to visit la Tour Eiffel. The Iron Lady will be under construction for the month of January, starting tomorrow, and le Sommet will be closed after today. It was luck that I’d checked it out today. I dashed out of the apartment, grabbed the Métro, switched lines, and arrived at the iconic tower to stand in line.

Whilst in line, I met a charming couple from India. A nice guy and his mom, and they were to become my friends for the afternoon/evening. We enjoyed each other’s company as we stood in line for Security, then, tickets, then the final « Sommet. » We took photos of each other and followed one another on Instagram. Once we reached the top, we had champagne and toasted each other and the New Year! It was windy as can be — but we’d made it. They’d had to delay groups because of reaching capacity at the top, but it was worth the wait. There was no limit as to how long we could stay – so we had another glass of champagne.

After the descent, we took more photos of the sparkling Iron Lady, shared some french fries, and then parted ways. What a lovely day/evening enjoyed by total strangers who became friends.