Day 1 - Je suis ici!

I arrived at SeaTac, used curb-side check-in to check my suitcase, and easily got through security.  I was classed as pre-check, so didn't have to take off my shoes or remove anything from my carry-on or purse (I had no liquids).  I think they have started a new protocol.  But, with five artificial joints, I did have to go through the dreaded pat-down, but they didn't swab my hands, which they used to do.  I got out to the South Satellite with lots of time to spare.

I had upgraded to "comfort" coach and it was worth every penny.  The seats are wider - by at least 2 inches - and there is an extra 4 inches of leg room.  I was in a 2-seat row and it was actually roomy.  Plus we got priority seating and got off sooner. The flight itself was uneventful - no one had a melt down.  There were several young children, but they were fairly quiet.  I was probably the noisiest with my dang cough! There was hardly any bumpiness and we touched down a good 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.  I was impressed with Delta - the service was attentive, and the food, while pretty blah, was plentiful: lunch, a snack, and breakfast.  As usual, I didn't sleep.  I watched a couple of movies, read, and played games on my tablet.

It took about 20 minutes to get through immigration (passport control), but we had to wait a long time for our luggage.  Baggage from several flights was coming through the same conveyor and got piled up.  I was able to buy a SIM card for my cellphone near the luggage conveyor - took less than 5 minutes.  All in all, it took about an hour from disembarking to getting a taxi.

I arrived at the apartment just after 10 am, but my meeting with the greeter was scheduled for 11:45.  I tried calling and texting him, but wasn't able to reach him, so had a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe.  He finally called me and we met at the scheduled time.  It was really cold and breezy.  Fortunately, I always pack my coat in the outside pocket of my suitcase, so it was handy.

David, the greeter, showed me through the apartment, which didn't take long because it is "tres petite."  Only 16 square meters - less than 150 square feet - but it is really well organized with lots of storage.  The bathroom is quite nice with a roomy step in shower.  There are way more stairs than I was lead to believe, and they are steep, but just one flight, so I think it will be okay.  The murphy bed is pretty heavy to put up, so I think I may end up just leaving it down even though it takes up a lot of floor space.  It is easy to put down.

After David left, I unpacked - everything is stowed - then I went around the corner to my favorite crepe shop for lunch - La Ciderie du Marais.  I "discovered" it when I was here in 2013.  They make Brittany style "galettes" made with buckwheat flour.  I had the one with ham, cheese, and an egg.  After lunch, I went to the nearby G20 supermarket to get some groceries, then back to the apartment.

The apartment is in an old building (18th century?) across the street from Place du Marche Ste. Catherine, which is a small square with a bunch restaurants and cafes around it - very Parisian.  One street over is Rue St. Antoine/Rue de Rivoli, which is a busy street with lots of different shops.  This is on the Right Bank (North of the Seine) and the Seine is just a short walk away.  The Place de la Bastille is also fairly close to the east. This is the 4th Arrondissement - there are 20 of these in Paris.  In my last 2 trips, I stayed in the neighboring 3rd, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area.

There was a little shower awhile ago, but it seems to have stopped, so I think I'll go out again and walk up to Place des Vosges - it's not far - and I need to keep moving to combat jet lag.

Back from a short walk to Place des Vosges - it is about 2 short blocks away.  There is an Amorino gelato shop on the corner - handy.  Well, it rained, so I ate my gelato sitting under the trees somewhat protected from the rain drops. Lots of people around.

I am really starting to feel the lack of sleep, so I think I'm going to just rest for the remainder of the day - it's now 4:15 PM - 9 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time - so I've been up since 7 AM PDT.