Paris - A Romantic Getaway for our First Valentine's day

It had been close to 9 months since our marriage and close to 7 months since we arrived in Brussels. Since the time we arrive in Brussels, Kusuma's plan as always is to roam around as many countries as possible and cover majority of the landmarks in Europe. If it were possible; she would have traveled all the countries by now; if not for my loan and other commitments. But Kusuma is not the one to settle for anything less. So, we arrived at a pact of traveling to one country every month. This started from the month of August/September. Since then; thrice I guess to Antwerp, twice to Cologne, once to Frankfurt, Brugge, Waterloo, Amsterdam. Some important places inside Belgium and some (as promised) outside Belgium. By mid January; I'd started planning for Geneva and Rome. But Kusuma wanted something special for our first valentine's day after wedding. So, Paris it was destined. To spend the Valentine's evening at the Eiffel Tower.

So, It was time to start pack bags to Paris and to plan the travel and stay. We booked the bus (coz we din find any good offers on Thalys) to Paris and after some search found that the Ibis hotel near the Galleini Metro (Bagnolet) was an OK OKish one for our stay. Because we were a little late in finalizing; lost a couple of good deals at some hotels near the central of Paris.



On the 14th of February, we took the bus to Paris. Took us close to 4 hours ( including the 30 mins break) to reach Paris Bagnolet. We checked into the hotel 1st so that we can park our luggage and roam around with minimum luggage and maximum comfort. Kusuma had owned up to research the busses to various places. We both believe city is better seen on the ground transport rather than the underground transport. Took the Bus 76 from Galleini Metro towards Louvre Museum. Paris is nothin different to any other European Cities. The people, crowd make it a happening place. For the 1st time in Europe, I felt home. I felt as though I was in Bangalore because of the amount of Asians we saw and not to forget the TRAFFIC JAMS.



Louvre was an amazing experience. The paintings and the sculptures are mesmerizing. When Nelson had come home, I remember he mentioning that one day is not even near to finish appreciating even one of the Museums of Paris. Kusuma and I realized it when we finally gave up appreciating and decided to just make it a customary to see the whole Museum once.



We then did a little bit of shopping; found a McDonalds; had some food (what Kusuma calls Junk food) and took the bus 69 from Rue Rivoli towards the Eiffel Tower.

The Grand Eiffel tower is visible from the Louvre; we realized it only when we were in the bus between the Louvre and the Champ de Triumph.

It was close to 3:50 PM when we reached the tower. Such a scintillating experience it was. Had only vague idea whenever had read the various books and articles about this giant structure. Could not believe myself when I was right there with my beloved that too on a special day. The crowd was not surprising given the importance of the day in the Western countries.



It took us more than 1 hour in the Queue to purchase the tickets to board the lift to take us to the 2nd floor. We wanted to go to the 3d floor; but it was close due to "affluence". Such was the crowd on that day there at the tower. Finally by 5:20 we started the ascent.

It was awesome to get to the top. We were standing by the sides of the glass wall of the lift. The Pulleys; chains and the weights that are used to make the lift operate are monstrous mammoth massive.

The view from the 2nd floor was simply awesome. For me who is feared of heights; it was not an ounce of prob to stand by the gauge simply because of the way they have constructed the whole floor. We'd seen the bollywood movie "An Evening in Paris" by Sharmila/Shammi Kapoor. The gardens and the steps the movie have been shot I presume are just a little distance from the tower. We were able to see it from the top if the tower.



It was the perfect way I had planned. To get there when there is daylight and see the sun set on the city of Paris from the Tower Top. The right place to be to witness Paris lit up and the Eiffel Tower to be on "fire".

We started the descent by 7 PM. Took quite a few photos in front of the Eiffel and finally bid farewell, thanking it for giving us a wonderful evening that we will remember for life.



Time to get back to the hotel. We found a shopping centre next to the hotel and surprisingly and gladly it was open even at 8 PM. At Brussels, the shops are close by 6. Did a little bit of food shopping at the supermarket. That I'm fond of pizzas and Coke makes supermarket the best place to buy them doesn't matter if we are in Brussels or Paris or anywhere in Europe.

Next day morning, as planned we got ready to conquer the Notre Dame. But as usual; it being a Sunday morning, we were lazy to even get out of bed. Finally out of bed and hit the streets with a cup of Cappuccino Settling the Hotel expenses.



Again the same by 76 takes us close by the Notre Dame where we have to walk half a km to reach the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we started shopping on the street of Paris; the Souvenirs. We make it a point to buy a postcard from each city we visit.

Reached the Notre Dame. The building is outstanding. The interiors are as outstanding as the Exterior architecture. With some ceremony going on in the Cathedral, it was right time to spend time inside. We also got a "Notre Dame Coin" that Kusuma shows in her possession.



I guess after we return to India or when we visit India and display all the Souvenirs to my mom. She will eventually throw all the current (master)pieces in the show case and replaces it with the ones we would take.

Then we took a stroll by the riverside and enjoyed the views of the Bridges constructed on the river. Paris attractions can also be reached by the water cruise in the Central of Paris. So, next time Kusuma and I are in Paris; we decided to take the cruise because by now we'd finished our scheduled visits and anything more would mean we would be late to the Bus.



Now, that it was almost 24 hours(She had packed Chitranna for the Bus travel) since we had anything "Indian" (as in food); Kusuma badly needed to taste Indian food at Paris. We were told by many (reviews we read by travelers) that the Indian food is outstanding in Paris. We set out in search and as usual, what comes to our aid is the GPRS on her office mobile and the google maps I have installed on her office mobile.

We found an Indian restaurant by name "Akash" and after looking at the Menu outside, we both decided to settle there for lunch. I took a Vegetarian Thali and she opted for a Kashmiri Rice (she is fond of sweets you see). The taste was quite good. I liked the curry masala and Kusuma the amount of nuts and raisins in the rice (wonder if it would be better to be named as Nuts & Raisins with Rice instead of Kashmiri rice).

We took the 76 bus back to Galleini Metro and back to Brussels by Sunday night.

It was a very short trip; but surely a memorable and a lifetime experience to be at the Eiffel Tower for the Valentine's day (and what more; when its still not the 1st year of our wedding).

Bus: Eurolines (http://www.eurolines.be/)
Hotel: Ibis (http://www.ibishotels.com)
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/kusumasharma/Paris#