Everything is Different

We end our day in our Paris apartment at 14 Rue du Perche. This apartment is in the Marais district. The building was built in the 1600's. The floors slant and the stairs are very worn in the middle. It's a little funky, but nice. We went out exploring and got lost at first. My camera was stolen! I think it happened when we walked through a huge group of people dancing and playing African music. It was over my shoulder with a very thin strap. I didn't even notice. That is a warning to be really careful for the rest of the trip. If I loose my wallet - it would be terrible. In spite of that, we got our bearings and figured out our map strategy and ended up at Notre Dame. Just where we wanted to be. We ate a delicious dinner right across from Notre Dame and just walked home. Our walk home from Notre Dame is only 10 minutes - right through a very crowded night scene. Tomorrow we are set for a day of exploring everything within walking distance of the apartment and figuring out the names of all the amazing buildings. The day has ended well. Phillip and I are trying to speak french and doing ok. I'm producing new brain cells.

While I was on train to Paris this morning I wrote below:

So far this trip is requiring intense concentration. The smallest, everyday things that I usually take for granted require figuring out. How do you say diesel gas in French? Where is the button to open the gas cap on the car? How do I pay for gas? Where do I park to drop the car off at the car rental? How do I pick up our train reservations? Why did they post gate A for the Paris train, remove the posting and repost it at the last second? What are they saying over the loud speaker? No problem. I figured it all out, and we are now on the high-speed train to Paris. We are on the top level of the train and it is very relaxing. That’s good, because I am exhausted.