Mon Premier Jour

I arrived in Paris at 11pm on a Sunday night and, after navigating the gargantuan train station with only a few mishaps, headed toward the apartment of an acquaintance, where I was to stay while he was away.  It was in the suburbs of Paris and a 30-minute walk from the train.  On a snowy night, with a heavy duffel, the up-hill walk was more of a trek.  On the crest of the hill, I correctly thought that if I turned around, I would have a view of the city.  Just as I turned, a spotlight spanned overhead, coming from none other than the Eiffel Tower.  There it was right there in front of me!  And as I looked on, the Tower suddenly burst into sparkles, like little stars, a sight confirming all the ideas of Parisian glamor and magic floating in my mind.  It was sparkling because it was exactly midnight.. I couldn't have timed it better had I tried. 

They say one is lucky to see Paris at Christmas under snow.  I must be lucky because I awoke the next morning to find a winter wonderland of fresh powder.  Me heading out on my first morning:

 I took the subway into the city, without a plan, except to get off somewhere downtown.  My wandering took me to the Seine:

 The Louvre:

  Les Tuileries (above and below) where I bought breakfast from this pastry shop. A thrilling first day.