The
12-13 hour flight into Paris (with a connection in Charlotte) was dull and
uneventful. I whiled away time by watching three newly released movies (“Frozen”, “Dallas
Buyers Club”, and “Anchorman 2”) as I had trouble sleeping. I can’t remember
the last time I sat up to watch 3 movies back to back. When we arrived at CDG
(Paris airport), I was more than happy to deplane and be back on the ground.
After brisking through immigration and customs, I went to the first money
exchange I could see. Travelex was it and it was highway robbery big time – 1.5290
rate to change USD to Euros and a 6.5% commission fee plus this Frais d’echange
charge? So, what can I say but suck it up and change some money to get me through
the first day in Paris!
I
must say that I felt a little overwhelmed at the foreign environment around me at
landing. A few hours ago, I was in the States, and now everything’s different.
Culture shock and surrealism hit me briefly as I mustered up courage to feel
calm and collected again. This is the beauty of travel – the sudden change in perspective - and I love it!
A
train (RER) and bus (no. 54) later, I found my way to Ephraim guesthouse at the
Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre (thanks to my compass!) and I was grateful to be able to check
into my room at 10 am. (For those of you who are interested, I used the www.ratp.fr site to plan my public transportation
routes in and around Paris.) For a half-board rate of 37 euros, I have myself a tiny but clean, modern, and cosy room equipped with
a shower; the rate also includes dinner and breakfast. Isn’t that just
splendid? Email the sister in charge of the guesthouse at ephrem@sacrecoeurdemontmartre.fr to make reservations if you're interested. You can also find basic info here. After a long flight, a hot shower always hits
the spot. In the shower, I also washed my clothes to be efficient. I took the time as well to organized my toiletries so that I'm more prepared when I’m in the communal albergues or
refugios.
The
morning drizzle made way for heavy rain as I battled jet lag and the lack of
sleep. I surrendered to the atmosphere and fatigue and crashed. As I laid in
bed and stretched out my tired legs, I felt bliss and serenity. “This place’s a
sanctuary,” I thought to myself. It was very comforting to listen to rain pitter-pattering outside my window and birds singing cheerfully. At noon, I heard the
cathedral bells rang and smiled. Now, this was a welcome change!
I awoke at 2:30 pm and, despite the rain, decided to head out
to Chapelle Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse to pay a visit. This chapel
was the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine
Labouré, a novice sister of the Daughters of Charity, in 1830. Catherine
received the inspiration to design a medallion from Mother Mary and after
periods of contemplation, created the medal a few years later with
the support of the bishop and the head of the Daughters of Charity. It was
deemed miraculous when the medal, distributed to thousands of sick people in
Paris, healed them of cholera, an epidemic that struck around that time. I felt
blessed to arrive in time for Mass at the chapel (even though it was in French). After Mass, I asked a sister there
to bless my medallion which I’ve received and worn since 2011.
I
never thought I would pull out my rain poncho on the first day of arrival but I
was glad for it. As much as I missed the rain living in California, walking in
it was no fun, especially when I was holding onto a notepad with directions
written on it (thank God for ball-point pens). So, when the rain stopped at 5
pm, I was happy to pack my poncho away and walk/sightsee with ease. I
must say, I’ve been spoiled by the health laws in California because the sight
of people standing idly and smoking outside buildings and on sidewalks repulsed
me. I held my breath each time I walked past the smokers. “Live and let live,”
I reminded myself.
Above right: These French biscuits saved my morning when I got up at 4 am (jet lag) with a growling stomach - so glad I purchased them from a shop on my walk back to the guesthouse
I
stopped in at the Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre for adoration service prior to dinner
at the Ephraim guesthouse. Le dinêr was simple: pea soup, salad, and bread for
starters, pasta and quiche for main, and a packaged brownie and chocolate
mousse for dessert; red wine was served as well. I ate with the other French
guests, one of whom thankfully spoke some English so I was able to converse
with her. They’re all very nice – in fact, on the streets of Paris too, I’ve
been aided by many wonderful Parisians, who when approached were more than
willing to help.
So, it was a very eventful first day here in
Paris. After dinner, I crashed and slept like a baby. Until next time, pax et a
bientôt!
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