We dropped our bags at the hotel, Tiff and Grube enjoyed their first baguette, and then the four of us had cafés at a place on the Seine. We walked over to Notre Dame, and that’s when I was able to confirm that I approve of Tiff and Grube’s travel style ... quickly appreciate the beauty of Notre Dame, take the obligatory photos (including “hunch-backing” in front of the cathedral), and then be on our way. No time for long, touristy lines and entrance fees – I like it! We walked along the river to the Louvre and then headed over to Pere Lachaise, the famous cemetery where tons of old Parisian families and famous French/international musicians/writers are buried. It was cool because I’ve always wanted to go there but have never made it. Jon’s mission, along with almost every other lost tourist we found in the place, was to find Jim Morrison’s grave – a harder task than you’d think … but it was really interesting to wander through. Lots of the graves are covered in elaborate, gothic-like, above-ground tombs. After that we went to a train station to take care of their Amsterdam reservations, and then took delightful afternoon naps at the hotel! Quick note about the hotel – I’ve stayed there before, great location, really good price, etc. The 3 of us paid about 15 euros each to split a triple room for the night, which is really good for Paris. When I made the reservation, I was told that we’d get a double room with an extra twin bed – perfect. So we found a room with a double bed and a mattress folded up on the floor, so I went down to ask for the cot/bed frame to go with it … but no, it was just the mattress, haha. It actually ended up being comfortable, but I still don't think they should be able to call that a "third bed" in the reservation.Below: Hunchbacking at Notre Dame ... and totally lost in Pere Lachaise
After our naps it was time for Target Happy Hour, Parisian style. Tiff, Grube, and I headed over to the Bastille area where there you can find a different bar about every 10 feet. We found a 2-for-1 place and enjoyed beers an the beautiful night - once again, light out until about 9:30, I love it! The 3 of us enjoyed catching up, throwing in a little career talk, of course (to Grube's disdain, haha), getting the gossip on Minneapolis friends, etc, etc. Super quality time with both of them :) Then we headed over to Place d'Italie where we met back up with Andrea and a group of her Parisian friends. Most of them were architecture students, inevitably speak a bit of English, and I think they two of them enjoyed conversing with some Frenchies in English. We ended up in a great little neighborhood known as Botte aux Cailles ... definitely off the beaten tourist track, filled with tons of little bars/cafes/restos ... regardless of which bar you were actually in, it was easy to mingle with tons of people because everyone spilled out onto the sidewalks. Then a group of about 8 of us got hungry and found a nearby restaurant (Tunisian, I think?). Then we luckily got the last metro home before our hotel closed at 2am ... then proceeded to cancel our room for the next night at the hotel, since we found out that we could stay (for free) at a friend's apartment ... no brainer! But I wasn't sure if I had successfully cancelled it ... until our rude awakening the next morning with a 15-minute warning that we had to check-out ... brilliant!
Happy Hour (aka planning out tomorrow's path) & impromptu hood-of-car-bar a Butte aux Cailles ...
They had no problems making new friends in Paris ... :)
That was the first night I spent at the hotel with Tiff and Grube ... and when I realized just how perfect they are together. See below ... they both brought travel, night-reading lights. No joke.
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