When I was exiting the Uber, just opening the door, a taxi pulled next to him and hit the door. He was yelling at me that I “should have been watching” – but in a taxi/drop off line at a train station, I believe those in vehicles are supposed to be watching for folks getting out of vehicles. I felt bad, and tipped the driver well. Sigh.
The boarding process for Eurostar is complicated! As you are exiting one country and entering another on the train, you have to go through a customs procedure. It was all very confusing. I’m glad I had given myself LOTS of time to navigate.
I had a bit of a panic moment — okay, make that MOMENTS — upon arrival. My phone plan was supposed to roam with me to France, but upon arrival — no service. I spent hours trying to fix the situation, and ended up having to get a whole new service for the duration of my stay. The worst part, really, was having no service available to get maps to my flat. Hooray for off-line Google Maps, I could at least locate my destination. And thankfully, it was close enough that I could walk from Gare du Nord. THEN I couldn’t find my building, thanks to oddly numbered doors. I have never been so happy to set my suitcase down! A very trying morning and early afternoon, indeed! I was ecstatic to see that my flat was even nicer than the photos on Airbnb.
Still, go out I did. I needed to get food and drink, and as I could see Sacre Coeur from my balcony, knew I had to walk there and get food on the way home.
The church was mobbed with tourists, and I didn’t go in. Of course, in retrospect I’m very sorry I didn’t, but my mood was…….not great.
Day One Paris: done and done.
Debkakes in the UK 2025 