Stalking the Eiffel Tower

I’m in Paris today! I took the bus to Tours (which left early and yet arrived late) and as a result I just barely caught a train to St. Pierre de Corps where I finally had a minute to use the facilities – if you get my drift. It was another automatic Toilette, and I stood in front of that door for a full minute and a half before deciding I’d give it a go. I’m happy to say my faith in the automatic Toilette has been restored.

I arrived at the airport and found Terminal 2A. Ma sœur’s plane had landed already so I called the shuttle company (as instructed) and before you know it our driver was there. I think sœur’s suitcase was the last one off the plane, but she eventually came out of the secret back area for passengers only and we hustled to the vehicle.

Our shuttle driver said he had another group to pick up, so he circled the airport to get to another terminal, parked, left us in the vehicle, and went to meet them. Thirty minutes later he returned to the vehicle without the other people. They hadn’t come out to meet him, so we were off to the city without them. We just about made it out of the airport when he got a phone call that they were there. He asked us if we’d mind going back to get them because one was in a wheelchair and, of course, we said no problem. That would be too mean.

So we circled through the airport again and stopped to pick them up. No wheelchair. Hmmm. Now we know all terminals of the Charles DeGaulle Airport well, having circled it several times.

Our room wasn’t ready yet so we dropped our luggage and went in search of the Eiffel Tower. We could see it in the distance.

And we kept getting closer.

On the way we found a very green building. Totally covered with living plants.

Really great concept! I’ve got some new decorating ideas for the back deck.

That tower kept getting closer and closer.

At the bottom left you can see a bit of yellow. That’s the elevator to take you up to the first level.

Then we had lunch.

I forgot to take pictures of the food. Sorry. It was delicious.

After lunch our room was ready, and there was that tower again. It’s everywhere!

A little wash, rest, and off we went again. No sleep for two days! The girl’s a trooper!

We saw the Hôtel des Invalides and the surrounding statues. By this time we were beyond wanting to go inside anywhere so just looked around outside. Those scooters are all around the city. People seem to use them and abandon them wherever. We’ll have to check into what that’s all about.

I am really enjoying the Paris “big city” architecture. So many wrought iron balconies!

How about this for a giant potted olive tree! I’ve never seen one so big. Big price too!

Then we went for food again. And again I forgot to take pictures! I did get a photo of some of the dessert selection though. Nobody does pastries like the French!