I think I have everything I need now to make it in Paris. I am getting a hang of how the metro system works here, I just bought a phone for $76 that came with unlimited texts and 30 minutes, I have a metro pass that cost $113 that gets me all around paris, by train or bus, and I have my new student ID that gets me into any museum I want for free! Life is grand and so is Paris.
We are about to have another family dinner that I'm sure will send my taste buds once again on a journey through heaven. Afterward, Jamal and I are supposed to meet up with a few people from our program to explore some more!
10 hours later...
We made it back home, finally. After getting to know some of the other students in our program a little more, we all decided to go walk around. When the clock stuck midnight everyone began to get tired, and by 1am Jamal and I were on our own again. Unlike the others we refused to take a cab. (We are both on a tight budget you see). In Paris, they have what's called the Noctilien, which is their form of public transportation between the hours of 12:30 and 5:30am. The only problem is, it's very difficult for someone who hasn't even been in town 48 hours, to determine which bus will take you home and when.
After wandering aimlessly around the Arc de Triumph (pictured left and big enough to fly a small plane through, which actually happened in 1919) in a state of confused awe, we found a nice couple who looked like they could help us. Here is the best part....., they spoke spanish! So I was actually able to communicate effectively with someone for a change. It was also at this bus stop where we met Jonathan, a future lawyer born in France and raised in England. Jonathan was also lost and confused, and when we joined forces, it was like the reunion of the three musketeers. My sense of adventure, Jamal's sense of direction, and Jonathan's sense of humor made this 4 hour search bearable, and even fun. The fact that we were in Paris didn't hurt either!
After chasing buses all over the 8th arrondissement we finally found our bus. Bus number N63. And it was parked. 30 minutes later when the driver finally emerged from God knows where, we were homeward bound, with 5 hours to spare before the 2nd part of our school orientation. Yay!
ahhh!! i am so excited!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog so far. What a grand adventure, and I'm enjoying your prose. Shannon told me you were blogging, so I wanted to come join you on your exciting travels. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteAlex, please get some sleep!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Your tied-to-his-day-job-desk Dad
Hi Alex, Here is a bit about the Black Paris Tours that I was telling you about. You can't leave without checking it out. I've heard it is really great and we have so many great historic black people who made their homes in Paris. Love you, Auntie Rhonda
ReplyDeleteRicki Stevenson, the founder of Black Paris Tours, has served as lead guide since its inception in 1998. Stevenson, a native of Oakland, California, is a former TV news anchor/reporter and talk show host. She holds a master's degree in History, with an emphasis on African and African American history. Stevenson says the idea for Black Paris Tours grew out of her lifelong dream of living in Paris and six years experience as an international travel reporter. Black Paris Tours is listed in Fodor's Guide to Paris and in the 2003 Access Guide to Paris. Ms. Stevenson and Black Paris Tours are also profiled in the June 2000 issue of Emerge Magazine, in the November 2001 issue of Stanford Magazine, in the March 2002 issue of Heart and Soul Magazine, and in the March 16, 2003 issue of San Francisco Chronicle Magazine. Black Paris Tours was highlighted in a Wall Street Journal article on cultural tourism, November 5, 2003, was featured in the 2004 France Guide in a full page article "African Americans Abroad" and was the focus of a profile in the January, 2005 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine!
For Further Information, Contact Black Paris Tours :
Rickis@club-internet.fr
From the U.S. 011.331.46.37.03.96
In Paris: 01.46.37.03.96 or 06.62.68.03.96
Go to Black Paris Tours web page: www.google.com "Black Paris Tours"
For further information, Contact Black Paris Tours :
Rickis@club-internet.fr
From the US 011.331.46.37.03.96 In Paris: 01.46.37.03.96 or 06.62.68.03.96