Anything but Ordinary

Euro Trail.

Geneve to Paris (Day 4).

Woke up at 4:30am to catch our 7:17am train to Paris. This commences our Eurail backpacking tour. It was difficult to fill in a medium-sized knapsack that will help last us for 2 weeks! We arrived Gare Cronivin at 6:30am and so I got me a good cup of coffee from a vending machine (wayyyy much better than that Starbucks Café Americano I ordered the day before) and pain aux chocolat! Mmmmm, a purrrfect way to start the morning! Then we went to our platform and waited for our train to arrive. To be sure we get in the right car (sometimes seat nos. can be tricky), we asked one of the train personnel where we should board, good thing he was accommodating (they can be a little difficult yah know). Then once we got on board, we fixed our stuff and made ourselves comfortable. We drank our complimentary orange juice (this is new) while taking in the sunrise and view of the French alps.  As I listened to classical music and marvel at the sight outside my window, I can’t help but feel grateful for the chance to be where I am right at that moment. Even if we were traveling on a tight budget and whatever we had to give up so we can save for this trip and make it all possible is so worth it! Yes we had major glitches in our planning but that in itself are situations that gave us valuable lessons and challenged or judgment. We learned how mistakes can be turned around and make it even work for us. We discovered new places and make the most out of wherever our feet and Euro could take us. Hey, this is Europe anyway! It’s ok to get lost and where you would end up.

Our train trip was a smooth ride and I was able to take a very short nap an hour before our estimated time of arrival. I wanted to see the view during the first half of the trip ‘cause we won’t be riding this way again. Once we stepped off Gare d’Lyon, we took pictures and went down to the ticket booth where we got ourselves a 2-day metro pass (that we can also use in buses). Looking for our hotel was slightly confusing. It’s located in a street called Rue de Belfort but there wasn’t a road sign so we had to rely on our map which has been so far a little puzzling too. Oh well at least after walking to and fro Charonne, we found it! We checked-in immediately, rested a bit (our room was a bit bleh but for the price and location it was tolerable) then we started our tour. 

We chose to go to the Louvre first so we can have more time to go around since this museum is so vast. We wanted to try to take our sweet time so we can explore the featured exhibitions more. It’s my 2nd time to visit this place but I’m still filled with excitement, wonder and awe. If only I can stay a day or two just admiring the paintings/artifacts, sculptures w/o having to hurry will be such a real treat!  Our walk was quite tiring. Unfortunately that was the only way to do it with the amount of time we had. It’s also Presh’s first time to visit so it’s a must that she gets a glimpse of the more famous artworks. Getting lost was inevitable but I can’t complain ‘cause I was able to see other stuff that I haven’t seen before. It was nice to be able to check the other side of the museum where the inverted pyramid was (yes the one that Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon was staring at at the end of the Da Vinci Code movie). But before going out, we ate in a McDonald’s store near the Virgin shop inside the Louvre. We haven’t had lunch! And we didn’t even notice it. Then after a big meal of New York steak burger with fries (why don’t they offer this back home?) and a medium drink, we started our walk again going to Place de Concorde.

We passed by the Arc de Triomphe du Carroussel for a few photo op just across the Louvre then made our way to the Tuileries Garden where we sat for a few minutes to rest our aching feet by sitting on a bench at one of the fountains there. When we were strong enough to move again, we walked towards Place de Concorde and made a slight detour so Presh can have a glimpse of the monument of Joan of Arc at Place des Pyramides. It’s located in the middle of a main road so cars were driving fast, crossing will be a little bit scary. Then while roaming around and taking pics of us with two Fontaines de la Concorde (Fountain of River Commerce and Navigation) and the Obelisk of Luxor, we decided to leave and take the Metro going to Arc de Triomphe because our legs were starting to wobble and I think I can’t feel my toes anymore. Then when we reached Place Charles de Gaulle, where we took pictures of the Arc from that view before crossing to the direction of Champs-Élysées and decided to hang around a little bit and paid our respects at  the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After a short rest we started our walk towards Avenue des Champs-Élysées and ogled at the expensive shops making this area one of the most popular streets in the world. But since we also wanted to watch the light show of the Eiffel tower at 9pm we had to leave immediately and I suggested we view it from the Trocadéro side since I haven’t also seen that place.

I’m glad we made that choice because of the amazing fountains found at the wide esplanade between two buildings that is the Palais de Chaillot, it made the view of the Eiffel Tower more dramatic. So we just stayed there, did a little photography until the light show began. That capped off our first night. We went back to our hotel with tired feet and happy memories. There was a strike going on but that didn’t stop us.

Euro Trail.

Geneve (Day 3).

Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs cooked with tomatoes (as suggested by Patrice), cheese, bread and of course a hot cup of coffee, freshly brewed from Patrice’s machine.  Then before leaving for our tour of Geneva, we continued our hostel bookings for Salzburg. 

As usual we took the bus going to Geneva and then walked to the promenade along the lake where we checked out ferry scheds going to Lausanne. There was a Creperie stall nearby so we decided to have early lunch and try their various crepes. I ordered cheese and mushroom and then chocolate gelato for dessert (which was so sinful! Worth my 3chf). After eating we started walking towards the old town and crossed the lake using the pedestrian bridge. We made our way to the commercial district where designer boutiques and Swiss brand shops abound. We went straight to Cathedral Saint-Pierre, marveled at the different spires of the edifices close to it and decided to go inside the Church and climbed the rooftop to view Geneva from above. The scene was fantastic! We were able to see the Jet d’eau splashing beautiful rainbow colors as the sun hits its mist. We lingered for awhile, looked at the display of historical objects like the old bell, took pictures and just absorbed the charming sight. Then we finally decided to descend using the same spiral staircase we used going up so we can explore the area (around the Cathedral) more. 

As we head towards the Geneva Theater House we came across a street where we were surprised to see a marker of Dr. Jose Rizal, a tribute for his interpretation of William Tell’s poetry. Even my cuz doesn’t know about this!  We of course captured this significant discovery which we intend to share with friends when we go back home. As we crossed the street, I requested Presh to take a pic of me with the Grand Théâtre de Genève as my background. Suddenly I felt an arm around me then realized this dude, who I didn’t notice, decided to just join me in the pic! Oh well ;)

Then we walked around Place Neuve, took snaphots of the Opera theater, equestrian statue of General Dufour and the Conservatory of Music. We walked going back to the lake, came across the flower clock, located between Mont Blanc bridge and the Jardin Anglais and checked out the monument of Le Peuple Gernevois in the intersection when we crossed. As we strode to the boardwalk to cross the lake, we opted to linger for a few minutes to rest and people watch, there were bikers, joggers/runners, folks having coffee, children skateboarding and tourists boarding the trolley. Presh bought a rum flavored gelato which was yummy (the rum though was a little too strong for my taste). After feeding the swans and hanging around a bit we had to leave so we won’t be late for Sunday mass. We killed time at Starbucks too just across Notre Dame Cathedral because we were still a few minutes early (I hate the coffee I ordered, bummer). Glad that the service was in English and Patrice and Becky attended too so we all went home together. 

Becky cooked us a sumptuous dinner of oven baked rabbit and ratatouille. Patrice also served us his Mia, cheese and bread with tea right after. We had a long chat that capped off our evening. Était tres bon!