If one has to endure jetlag- that awful discontinuity between brain and feet; between thought and execution; between realityand some fuzzy approximation of it, then the back streets of Saint Germain des Prés is the area to be in. The charming winding streets, tightly bordered by sandstone buildings with incredibly delightful facades and bright red geraniums in window boxes helps the spirit soar even when the stomach says "something's wrong." And you know that something is wrong when you pass delectable pattisserie shops with nothing in mind except perhaps an appreciation of art form. Thus began our trip to Paris.
How to survive Paris in the high season.
Apart from the inevitable lack of humour that accompanies the jetlag (even with no alcohol, in Shirley's case at least) we believe some of our disappointments were our own fault, especially number 1 below. So, for future travellers, our advice is this:-
- Double check accommodation confirmations just before departure. Double check that all dates are correct.
- If you choose the 13 arrondissement, near Place D'Italie, be aware that Frommers says that "it may have it's fans but we have not found one yet. " Russ did some research and found that none of our 4kg of books on France mentioned Place D'Italie!!
- Be prepared for queues of inordinate length and duration.
- Plan for rain. Pack a folding umbrella into that large zipped bag tht you should all carry around. Rain storms come out of the blue and you do not want to lose your place in that all important queue!
- Have at least one of you with an active sense of humour or at least an ability to defuse the frustrations that do occur!
- 1st Sunday of the month gives free entry into some museums (Louvre, Musee D'Orsay) so the tourists go there. Go to a non free alternative such as Sainte Chappelle on Ile De Cité for almost instant entry.
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