Sweating at La Defense
Trip Start
Jul 23, 2008
1
11
27
Trip End
Aug 14, 2008
Where I stayed
Rental Apartment
Paris, Île-de-France, France
Thursday, July 31, 2008
After a very frustrating hour in line, we bought our Thalys train tickets to Brussels, Belgium. The line was so long, and it was so hot. Ughhhh. After we finally got our tickets, we went outside the train station, and had a nice lunch nearby at Paris Nord Cafe.
From there we took the Metro to La Defense. Did I say it was freakin' hot? At the Grande Arch it seemed even hotter with all the glass and cement. We climbed up the steps and looked out on each side of the city. We didn't go up to the top of the Arch; we didn't feel like paying the fees.
We then went into this complex that has a Hilton, where they were building or reconstructing it. We needed a bathroom break. It was sort of cooler in there also. It was so hot that we decided to go into the mall just across the way.
It actually worked out well though. Even though it wasn't arctic cold like it would be in the States, it was way better than outside. We stopped for a refreshment break and even did a little shopping. The summer sales were going on so we got some good deals on dresses for DD and I.
After that, we used the Metro to go back home. We stopped in at a Credite Agricole bank to see about making an appointment to open up an account there, but we got nowhere. They wouldn't even let us make an appointment, but we knew ahead of time it would be difficult. And apparently with the mortgage crisis in the U.S., the French banks have really tightened up, so the timing was bad also.
Then we went into the Monoprix to get food for dinner. We got fresh green beans, little duck tenders, and a few other things. We finally made it home. We relaxed a little before I made us our dinner: duck sauteed in olive oil with salt, pepper, garlic, green beans sauteed in the same pan afterwards, and DH made us a salad, plus bread. It was yummy.
It started to rain a little. The kids went into the courtyard briefly, then came back up. DH and I were sitting by the window catching any hint of a breeze that came in. The kids were playing with Legos and had them all over the floor. Next thing we knew, the owner knocked on the door.
We invited her in for a glass of wine. At first she declined, but she agreed when we asked again. The three of us sat at the table while the kids played. We talked about many things, and it was very enjoyable. I'm not sure how long she stayed, but it was a nice long chat; just the right amount.
We gave each other bisoux when she was leaving and said we must stay in touch. We had become friends. :)
After she left, the boys went out to find crepes. When they got back it was bedtime.
