Day 15, September 23 - Au revoir, Paris; 11,000 steps

I got most of my stuff packed Friday night, so after breakfast I just had to finish packing the odds and ends, tidy the apartment and take out trash. Joanna from Cobblestone arrived right at 10 to help me take my suitcase down the steep stairway. I had specifically asked for assistance as there is a handrail for only a third of the stairway, and although there are only 16 steps, I could visualize me and my suitcase ending up in a heap at the bottom.

I had arranged for a G7 taxi to pick me up at 10:20 and he arrived a few minutes early to take me to the Novotel at the airport terminal. I had registered online that morning, so when I arrived before noon I was able to drop my luggage off in my room, which was ready for me.  I then took the train back to Paris, using my Navigo pass.

When I was in Paris in 2013, I had lunch at La Rose de France on Place Dauphin on the Ile de la Cite. It was my most memorable lunch as the starter was three different preparations of foie gras: a slice of pure foie gras, creme brule made with foie gras, and foie gras glace (ice cream), which was absolutely the best thing I have ever had in my mouth. For four years I have thought about this, so decided that this trip my last lunch in Paris would be at La Rose de France. Unfortunately, their foie gras starter no longer includes the glace, but it was excellent nonetheless. I also had a kir royal, which is champagne with creme de Cassis  (black current liquor). The main course was a veal chop with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes, and for dessert fresh strawberries with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, finished with "un cafe" and a perfect chocolate truffle. Even without the foie gras glace, it was the perfect lunch for my last day in Paris.

After lunch I took a one-hour Seine River cruise. There was a "techno festival" as well as a demonstration against changes in France's labor laws happening over on the Right Bank near the Louvre and I could hear the loud music  and shouting from where I was on the Left Bank, being thankful that I was not in the midst of the huge crowd of people over there. It was peaceful on the river, though, and nice to see so many landmarks - a good ending to a wonderful visit to Paris.

I took the train (RER B) back to the airport. The Novotel is conveniently located very close to the CDG train station. In my opinion, the RER, which is a system connecting Paris to the suburbs, is not as nice as the Metro. The stations seem to be more grim as are the trains themselves. A lot of people use them as cheap transport to and from the airport, but with luggage consisting of more than carry-on, they aren't very convenient as there are lots of stairs.  I really prefer taking a taxi, which is now a flat rate of either 50 or 55 euros depending on whether you are going to the Right Bank or the Left.

I had a chicken Caesar salad for dinner at the restaurant at the hotel.  What is it about the French that they always want to top every salad with a poached egg? It was pretty good, anyway.

The  Novotel is a 4-star hotel, part of the Accor group that includes Ibis in France and Motel 6 in the US. The French hotel star system is different than in the US as it reflects amenities more than luxury. For me, staying at the airport the night before a morning flight is more convenient than staying over in Paris proper. The recommended arrival time for an international flight is 3 hours prior to flight time, so for my 10:10 flight, I needed to be at check-in by 7:10. At the Novotel, I was less than 15 minutes away from Terminal 2E via the free subway shuttle.

The next morning, I had a quick breakfast at the hotel and was at check-in by 7:00. I had checked in online the day before, but needed a boarding pass and to drop off my suitcase. They do a passport  check at check-in. Then you go through passport control to exit the country, then they check it again when you go through security, and again  when you board the plane,  Surprisingly, all of that went very quickly as there were not yet huge lines at the time I was going through. Our flight was delayed about an hour, though, because there were 20 passengers from connecting flights who were running late, including my seat mate.

The fight seemed long to me, but I was in the  "comfort" coach section, which is worth every penny with roomier seats, priority boarding and reserved overhead storage compartments.

Passport control and customs in Seattle was efficient and went pretty quickly.  Much improved over the old system, but it will be nice when the new international arrivals area is completed.

Katie and Mom picked me up and I was home a little after 1:00 to share some of the goodies (macarons and chocolates) I brought home with me.  Simon was happy to see me,  too.