Paris jour deux!

I finally made plans with one of my friends in Paris.  She suggested I check out early out of my hotel and stay with her later on.  She wanted to meet after 8pm.  I told her I will message her once I get back from sightseeing.  Today on the agenda was the Montmartre neighborhood  to visit the Sacre Coeur.
AGAIN another hour and a half commute to this area.  What I found interesting this time is that I had to ride the bus to another train station altogether.  This bus stop was at a bus terminal which multiple buses passed through.  My bus ride took me on an expressway!  It’s amazing being able to view the Eiffel Tower along the horizon.  Once I got off, I went downstairs to catch my train on the metro.  I had to ride that line for 18 stops and then exit the station altogether.  Then I had to walk a couple of blocks before jumping on another line on the metro to head to Montmartre.  I was lost.  This part was frustrating for me because I felt I was not close enough to the area.  I contemplated on jumping on a cab to head towards Sacre Coeur but the Uber ride estimated this to be around 18 euros.  I figured a regular cab would have been over 20 euros and decided to save my money for later on when I would see my friend.  After a frustrating 30 minutes of walking in circles, I walked into Printemps department store to use the WiFi.  I had a migraine and decided to have a latte so I could calm down.  After carefully examining Google maps, I walked out and found the metro line I had to take.  5 stops later I exited  and saw a carousal.  I made it!!  What a relief!

I found the “wall of love” and joined the other tourists snapping away with pictures.  I immediately knew the neighborhood had a distinctive feel and started going in and out of boutique shops and specialty stores.  Once I found some stairs, I knew I had to hike upwards in order to get to the Sacre Coeur.  Luckily I was heading in the right direction and found it in time to join the line forming.  There were a ton of students around but I managed to walk in within a 10 minute wait.  I was completely blown away by the huge mosaic mural inside on the ceiling.  There was Jesus, extending his arms out!  I was moved.

I stayed and prayed for about an hour before I decided to venture out again.  This time when I exited, the line was wrapped around.  I did some souvenir shopping for a bit.  Unfortunately, it was nearing 7 pm and I knew I had to leave.  I had to meet up with my friend and in order to see her at 8pm, I had to leave now.  Another hour and a half later I made it back to my hotel and started packing my bag. 

I let my friend know I was running behind schedule and checked out of the hotel.  This time, I had to take the bus again, just like my first night here, and go back to the same metro line I used when I came in from the airport.  18 stops later I made it to the metro and rode that line for a while before transferring onto another line.  I grew upset when I noticed I was heading towards the wrong direction.  I had to jump off and make my way to the other side of the platform.  I was frustrated because this train was taking longer than usual.  It was now nearing 9:30pm.  I was running behind BIG TIME.

My train finally came.  I felt so bad rushing.  Once off the metro I had to jump on a tram for 5 more rides.  I noticed the familiar McDonalds and ran inside to connect to the wifi.  I called my friend to let her know I was near.  She seemed fine when I met her at her place.  I quickly got ready for our night out.

We took the metro and got off at Opera.  We made our way to Harry’s New York bar for some cocktails.  It was nice catching up with her.

Me and my friend went next door to a piano bar.  This place was crazy!  Everyone was dancing and singing along.  We stayed the rest of the night here because we didn’t want to leave.    

I probably slept for an hour and a half.  I was nervous about my flight again.  I decided to play it safe and leave earlier than anticipated.  I figured I’ll knock out on my flight home.  I rode the tram, jumped on the metro and headed towards the airport.

Luckily everything went smoothly on my way back home.  What a trip!  I had some bumps on the road but overall I loved seeing my friends in Italy and Paris.  I also got a chance to experience some new places.  I’m a lucky girl…

Paris jour un!

I slept in longer than I anticipated.  Some friends of mine were checking in on me and I was messaging back pretty late.  Of course I missed most of the complimentary breakfast, but I settled on toast with jam.  I went back to my room and took my time getting ready.  Today on the agenda was the Picasso Museum.  I was bummed when I realized how far I was from there.  Another hour and a half commute!!  Where the hell am I again??
First I had to take a tram (my first in Paris) to get to the train station.  I have to admit, I loved the ride very much.   It runs through streets and neighborhoods and you get to see things you might miss on the train.  Then I had to ride the metro for 11 stops before transferring into another line and riding that for 10 more stops.  This was beginning to weigh me down.  I finally got to the museum around 3:30pm and it closes at 5pm.  I hate this.
Luckily inside it resembled more of a spacious gallery than a museum.  It was easy to navigate between the rooms.  I loved being able to examine each painting without a crowd surrounding me.  I felt very humbled seeing Picasso’s work throughout the years.  He was truly gifted.  You witness the changes in his art slowly progress into cubism.  I left the museum on cloud 9.

I had to go to the Supreme store (which was nearby) to pick up a cap for a co-worker.  He got very excited knowing I was traveling through Paris again and asked me if I could do that favor for him.  I didn’t mind, plus it gave me the chance to see this hyped brand myself.  I was very impressed.  I took pictures of the caps on display and messaged back to him which one did he want me to purchase for him.  When I left the store, I noticed a group of young boys mumbling as I walked by with the supreme shopping bag.  They whispered some more before finally yelling out to me, “Ay!!!  Where’s the store??”  They scared me when they did that and I told them they were heading to the right direction.  Geez this shopping bag surely grabs people’s attention.  I grew nervous knowing I had to commute all the way back to my hotel with such a noticeable known brand. 

I figured I still had some time to check out the Opera Granier before heading back.  I wanted to do an inside tour but of course, with no explanation whatsoever, there was a sign outside that said “No Tours Today.”  UGH!!!  Now what?  I realized I was near the Gallerie Layfette shopping center and decided to go inside.  What a gorgeous department store!!!  It was truly beautiful!

Unfortunately my friend could not meet me up for a cocktail again, so I figured I would go back to the hotel.  It was now nearing 7pm and I knew I had ways to go.  By the time I was at my hotel area, I went to a Japanese restaurant nearby and ordered takeout to take back to my room.  I absolutely devoured my dinner and had a glass of wine as well.  I was pooped.