- Have you ever been to Russia? - Yes, of course. We were in the Crimea.
Previous Париж Next
Waking up early and not drinking tea, here, by the way, is suitable boiler, taken by me in the street, as breakfast in the hotel, we decided not to include in their spending, we went down to the headwaiter. At the reception was already another employee, not the one that was on duty yesterday. Payment of the vacation, he was ready to accept a credit card or cash, we chose the second option because the money had already been on this case in store. He opened us a receipt, which I decided to keep: on one of the forums, read traveler reviews: an elderly woman and her granddaughter, relaxing in Paris, was in an awkward situation. Staff member, taking payment, "forgot" to give her a receipt and the next day again demanded payment for accommodation. She even had to enlist the help of the police to restore justice.
I was given one more opportunity to practice conversational French speech: I wanted to find out where to buy tickets Paris Visite. My companion did not expect to hear from my French speech and a little taken aback at first, but then gave a detailed response and praised the language! After learning that we were from Russia for some reason he started to speak about Moscow, apparently all foreigners believe that our country is limited to Moscow.
Once in the subway, we went to the ticket office where the employee RATP helped us buy travel. We purchased a Paris Visite for two days in the zone for 15.75 € 03.01 per person. This ticket is well suited to see almost all the city's attractions. However, an equally difficult task was to take advantage ticket. It consists of a narrow strip of cardboard with a magnetic strip, which had to be thrust into a special slot turnstile (in Paris, unfortunately, transportation is arranged not, as in Germany, and at the entrance to the subway turnstiles there). Instead, I was trying to make a ticket to different parts of the device, see my "performance" all the same person ran out of the cashier's office and helped visitors to Paris. Turnstile swallowed ticket and gave it to me on the other hand, it was not so difficult. We must pay tribute to the citizens of this city and respect the work of others and pay the fare. Only once in the end station, we saw how a few teenagers, jumping the turnstile, ran to the train. Controllers, we have never seen, so I can not say anything about fines for ticketless travel, although they probably are not small.
Generally Metro Paris we did not like. Despite a decent number of stations and short distances between them, the transitions take up most of the time travel. If you need to drive 2.3 stations - consider whether you go down into the subway, there may be an option to take a walk? During peak hours, cars are very busy, and if there is no air conditioner, you go hard enough. Interestingly sold seats in the car: some of them is a regular chair, and some - folding. The latter are usually located next to the door, as soon as the number of passengers increases considerably sitting citizens voluntarily release these places, thereby increasing the free space and capacity of the car.
Metro station, which was located next to our hotel called Crimée (Crimea). Also, each day we passed through the station, which is known as Stalingrad, is the name of it was in honor of the Battle of Stalingrad.
The first attraction that we were going to visit - the Eiffel Tower. Arriving at the place we find a long line that hosted the suffering on the elevator to go upstairs: three mechanisms worked only one. Climb on foot to the 2 level (116 meters) on the stairs we did not risk, although many chose this option, and found themselves on the lookout much earlier the lucky ones who chose to lift. Two and a half hours of waiting time to get acquainted with Ira elderly couple from Germany. She loved to talk with the Germans and they also did not miss the chance to talk with tourists from Volgograd. Ira was the question whether they are in Russia, the man replied confidently: "Yes, of course, we were in the Crimea" Apparently, these people will always be identified with the Soviet Union and modern Russia.
Finally, we reached the ticket office and at a slight discount to young people (those under 25 years old), bought two tickets. On the third level of the tower it was decided not to rise: they had more time to stand in line for another lift, and again to go down again. View of Paris was wonderful and from the second floor! Those who are afraid of heights, do not have to worry - the viewing platform surrounded by a metal grid with large cells: can not accidentally fall out. In the entire history of the Eiffel Tower, a few people took his own life by jumping down.
Plenty of admiring the view from the bird's eye view, we decided to have dinner somewhere and went to the nearest metro station. It was an amazing meeting with the tourist Natalia from Novokuznetsk. The fact is that, even while standing in line at the tower, we met a traveler from Siberia - Natalia, who is not the first time I come to Paris. Then we said goodbye to her, because she was planning to go up to level 3 of the tower. What was our surprise when we saw her again at the station Bir-Hakeim, such a meeting in a multimillion Paris - a rarity. It was decided to go to dinner together, the more that our new friend knew a good cafe where you can eat cheap and tasty.
The restaurant was near the Arc de Triomphe and actually was good. € 10 visitor can take a main course and a choice: a snack or dessert - plus a free drink. We also decided to take a carafe of French wine to celebrate the introduction and wonderful holiday in Paris. By the way, I noticed that the inhabitants of the capital indulge in alcohol at lunchtime and many drank half a liter of wine.
After taking a rest in the afternoon, we continue to walk with our new friend in Paris. Want to upset those readers who think that the Champs Elysees - it's lawn with green grass, beautiful shrubs and trees. Territory near the Eiffel Tower, where they like to rest Parisians and visitors to the city, called the Champ de Mars and the Champs-Elysees - it's one of the many streets in the city, although it is widely known. It contains luxury shops, cafes and restaurants are always crowded, even at night.
A leisurely stroll, we were close to where the 31 August 1997 in the tunnel just before the bridge on the Seine river Alma in a car accident killed the Princess of Wales, Diana. Installed in 1989, a replica of the torch of the New York Statue of Liberty became a spontaneous memorial to the princess, there are always flowers and photos.
From here you can see another bridge - Alexander III. In many guidebooks, he is noted as the most elegant in Paris. To him, we decided not to go, because it's very tired. Weather in the French capital was hot, about 30 degrees Celsius, so the whole day festivities, we were decently exhausted, also very tanned. Once you arrive on the subway and not get lost in the intricacies of conversion, we get on the area before the Louvre Museum. Unfortunately, the touch of high art, we could not: have arrived too late to go to the museum for half an hour before closing it would be pointless.
After sitting and admiring the fountains of the famous glass pyramid, going on foot to the island of the Cite to see Notre Dame. Here, as usual crowds, and where travelers have no doubt there are traders souvenirs. In one of them we purchased 20 sticks in a small copy of the Eiffel Tower for 4 €. Many street entrepreneurs are multilingual: they accurately determine the national tourist and his native language tout buy trinkets. For example, a trader of African appearance, next to the Champs de Mars suggested we buy the same trinkets "Great", "for free", "Yellow" (he was talking about the color of a keychain). It looks very funny! The price of most tradable commodities - copies Eiffel Tour - range from 20 cents for a miserable stick to € 100 or more for a large desk with a copy of the electric light.
Having decided that one day, we do a large excursion, say goodbye to Natalia, exchanging email addresses. Tired and hungry, we return to the hotel to rest. Tomorrow we are waiting for Versailles.
Previous Париж Next
