European Adventure Part 1

I know this is long overdue, but here it is.

My flight:
Nashville->Chicago->Paris

I have been on this flight before. Not horrible, but out of DC it is a little shorter. I was in the middle. I tried to switch, but that was impossible on a full flight. There were 5 seats in the center of the plane. I wasn't in the very middle, but I was in the seat next to the very middle, thus not an aisle. My main concern was being able to get up and walk around. Ever since my 20 hour flight to/from South Africa my ankles can swell pretty badly resulting in cankles that seem to last for at least a few days. My cure? Aim for the aisle seat and drink obscene amounts of water so I have to get up and walk around. I actually slept pretty well on this flight with the help of a few benedryl and and my neck pillow. A few years ago I invested in a Thermarest Neck Pillow. I wanted something small and compact and decided to give this a try. I really need to start using it on shorter flights and not just international flights. This things is SO worth the $30.

Arrived in Paris as well rested as possible on an 8+ hour flight. Now here is the part where I wish I would have packed slightly different. I had a wheeled checked bag and a carry on by two different manufacturers. Thus, not the easiest to combine when traveling in say the Metro or down/up stairs. I refuse to use a pack when in Europe, just a personal preference. I probably could have packed a little lighter/differently, but I am going to be honest, I wanted some options. Before I left the states I even considered taking a taxi instead of using the RER (public transport straight into the city from the airport), but decided I couldn't justify spending 60 Euro on a cab when I have taken the RER before. I struggled with my suitcases and maybe even pitted out (sweating that shows in the pits) a bit, but I made and saved some money!

I made it to the hotel and caught up with Alethea. A quick shower and I was on my way out into the city.

Now for some pictures:
I had just purchased my first Nutella Crepe on the Rue Cler:



I spent the afternoon in the Rodin Sculpture Garden:



Dinner at a nice restaurant followed by a stroll around the Eiffel Tower park. I will never have too many pictures of the Eiffel Tower.



It stays light out pretty late in the summer time. I didn't go to bed until after midnight and I didn't even take a nap. Summer months are definitely easier on the jet lag than traveling in winter months.

Coming up next: more Paris and Monet's Gardens