Paris - Day 1

Our flight to Paris went very well, mainly because we were bumped up to First Class. It was great! We were able to sleep most of the flight. Getting to our flat was fairly uneventful, although I did have to jump right in and start using my French. I would say about half the people I talk to reply back in English! That obvious, huh?

I managed to delete (without realizing it) all our photos from our morning walk! I've learned my lesson. After a lunch of cured meats (sorry, can't show you as I deleted the picture) we came back and had a nap. Here are the photos we took during our evening stroll.

These sweet cherubs adorn the outside of the Hotel de Ville.

 

 

 

The next picture shows the detailed iron scroll work in the background of this picture.

Maybe we'll be able to figure out the symbolism of the ship with a bit of research. (Added courtesy of Oliver our walking encyclopedia friend...this is the Fluctuat nec mergitur  or "She is tossed by the waves, but is not sunk" motto of Paris, and is present in the city coat of arms depicting a ship floating on a rough sea.)

 

This was taken inside the Notre Dame Cathedral. We plan to return one evening this week to view the hour long film about how the cathedral was constructed.

We have yet to make it back through the maze of alleys and similarly named streets to our flat without getting totally turned around. No doubt by the end of the week we'll be better.

 

 

Here's a link to a few more pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/kristine.d.morris/ParisDay1#

Bon nuit!