The next day in the afternoon we drove to Paris and checked into our hotel for the next few nights.
We stayed on Left Bank in a nice quaint hotel on Blvd. St Germaine. It was fairly large and comfortable room with a balcony to the street so we could see all the activity. As a tourist it was very convenient to the subway, restaurants, and was only a short walk to Notre Dame and the Seine. Here we are celebrating our arrival.
We stopped by a cafe that day when we arrived across the Seine River bridge from Notre Dame cathedral and we leisurely had a few beers.
I remember Dad ordered a coffee and he had been dying for a good cup of coffee and he thoroughly enjoyed this one cafe americain style, a large with milk. We had a nice afternoon talking and sitting al fresco and enjoying the scenery. It was relaxing and nice after the long trip. We walked the Seine and visited Notre Dame and more sights and then we dined on the Left Bank at some Bistro. We made plans the next day to take the Metro and explore more of the city while we had time.
Pop Pop walking across the Seine. He had helped protect the outskirts of the city during the Liberation in August 1944. Here was his chance to later enjoy it as a tourist. Fascinating. It was like I was traveling with Dr. Who, I know it sounds corny but it was like being with a time traveler and I was just there to observe and enjoy his company.
Next: Seeing the City