It’s cliche, but it’s fine

July 31, 2024

Surprise! I made it to Paris!

When I realized how close I was to Paris AND that the Olympics would be taking place while I was so close, I decided I needed to go check out all the crowds.

I wanted to take the Chunnel train, but sadly it was over £350 but I could get a ticket (hacked) for $151.

The craziness of this ticket hack is that I will also be going to four different airports for my day trip. First, out of London Luton (fun fact, I’ve now with this airport I will have been to ALL five London airports!) into Charles de Gaulle. My plane home leaves from Orly into London Gatwick.

When I got to the airport I grabbed a water and Mars bar from the shop, but the lady told me if I grabbed a sandwich it was a better deal. So, for £5.50 I got a big bottle of water, a candy bar and a sandwich. It’s a steal compared to the states.

A little chaos for my morning. European airports are crowded, always. They have a main seating area that everyone basically waits in, then once your gate is announced (about 30-45 minutes before departure) you head to your gate. There are just enough seats by the gate to seat those on the flight. While I was in the seating area I had put my phone under my leg. When my gate was called I got up and headed that way. It wasn’t until I was at my gate (of course the farthest from where I had been sitting) that I realized I didn’t have my phone!

I had to run back and thankfully the kind lady that has been sitting next to me had picked it up and was holding it for me. I thanked her profusely and then headed back to the gate. I had ten minutes until it said boarding was closing, but I made it with plenty of time. I’m so thankful for that lady!

The type of ticket I bought apparently meant that I didn’t get a seat assigned until everyone was boarded. There were four of us with this type of ticket. I got the best seat, row 4, window seat. The other three girls ended up with middle seats, but at least they were in the front of the plane and the flight is less than an hour.

Upon landing I headed through passport control (I waited in the line so I could get a stamp, these electric passport control devices mean no stamps!) and then headed to the train.

Paris is offering transit ticket day passes for a STEAL. It was €18 for the card and an entire day of travel. Normally the travel from the airport to the city is €15 on its own.

First stop? Notre Dame. Last time I was here it was shortly after the fire. No work had begun yet on the rebuild. Currently, Notre Dame is scheduled to reopen at the end of the year or early next. The amount of closure around the building is still shocking for me to see.

After Notre Dame I headed to the Eiffel tower. I knew it would be very different than usual and I was very right. The park south of the tower is one of my favorite spots to people watch, but it’s been turned into a stadium for beach volleyball and judo. I walked along the river route and got to see from a distance the medal venue. They had a road race set up, but I assumed it wasn’t going to be used today.

After people watching around the Eiffel tower I decided to head over to the Tuileries garden. This is where the caldron is housed. When I came up from the subway station I came across the road closure again. It was then that I learned the men’s triathlon had been rescheduled for today and it was happening! I got to see groups of men on bikes ZOOM by.

Upon arrival to the garden learned you need a ticket to get close! That seems silly cuz it’s just a park. But I got my pictures then headed towards the Louvre for more people watching.

After my people watching I decided to go find food. I walked a bit away from the Louvre and found a pizza place. I was starving and ate the whole thing, but who wouldn’t when there is cheese involved?

After my lunch I headed to the souvenir stores. I was looking for an Olympic sticker, but instead got a magnet and a couple “usual” Paris stickers. I bought myself a brand new water bottle for this trip, so time to fill it with stickers!

After my souvenirs I headed to the train to take me to Orly. I was so hot that I figured getting to the airport and enjoying the air con could be good for my body. The hour train ride wasnt bad, not too hot on that train. I ended up nodding often every couple minutes because I am so tired! I got to the airport and I became very happy I got there extra early (like almost THREE HOURS).

I went to the ticket counter, after walking through three terminals to get to it. The gentleman helping was not actually helpufl at all. I waited in line for about 15-20 minutes and finally got my boarding pass. Then, I had to walk BACK through three terminals to get to my security check in. These European airports provide a plastic bag for all your liquids. At this point the only liquid I have is hand sanitizer, small little bottle, but it still needs its own plastic bag.

I queued for about 30 minutes in the security line because their automated bin selection was causing a delay with bags that didnt need to be searched extra. Once I got through security I found a drink (my first Fanta) and some chips (Pringles, I only eat them out of the States). I sat down in a chair near the gate (the released the gate etra early) and enjoyed my snack and was able to watch some random Olympic games on the tv.

Our flight was a bit delayed and then Vueling (airline) was having technical issues. So we ended up leaving about an hour later than planned. I ended up getting the whole row to myself for this short flight back to London. I slept the entire way, I didnt even make it to take off – this is MUCH more my style.

Upon returning to London, I caught the train back to St Pancras Station. I decided to get a little dinner at the hotel before bed. I am wiped out, I havent slept more than 5.5 hours a night in 3 days. And tonight wont be any better. Tomorrow I am up early again to head to the airport to go to Prague – Chris meets me there and thus begins our fun week!