We checked in for our flight with a few issues and rearranging of luggage as we were overweight a bit. I'd bought a few new camera items and new luggage was a little heavier than the previous, now broken, luggage left behind. Luckily they were helpful and let us through after some shuffling around. we may need to post home a few items from Paris and I may just ditch my old tripod which was just an old one I've had for many years and never really use now anyhow. I left my main one at home.
The flight left on time. We were flying with Icelandair and they had much better inflight entertainment than our previous flights which basically nothing. Individual screens with movie, music and TV options so we were able to keep ourselves entertained for the the two flights.
Our first flight stopped in Reykjavik in Iceland and it was amazing to come into to land with the ground totally carpeted in a thick covering of snow. By the time we arrived at the gate, we could clearly see how deep the snow was outside. It was great, although sadly even once off the plane to wait for our connecting flight we were not able to get outside into the snow. It was tauntingly close, only 2 cm away through the glass windows. That may well be the only snow we see on the trip as New York had nothing to offer up for us this year.
The next flight was a short 3 hours flight from Reykjavik to Paris and was on time and without incident. We even ended up with a spare seat next to us so it was nice to stretch out just a little.
We arrived into Paris and collected out bags and grabbed a taxi to our apartment in the 18e arrondissement in Central Paris. The perfect area that is very typical and classic Paris style apartment blocks and we are just two blocks back from the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. It's a great spot surrounded by more cafes, restaurants and shops than we can possibly get to yet it is almost silent inside our 6th floor apartment.
It was a little strange getting up to the floor as the building elevator is tiny. I mean TINY! 2 people and it is pretty much full. You may just be able to squeeze 3 thin people into it. Cosy indeed.
The owners showed us around the apartment and it was an interesting way to get to know how everything works etc as I speak only a small amount of French and they speak only a small amount of English, although the man was not too bad and certainly much better at English than I am at French.
After a short rest and a shower I headed out into the nearby Parisian streets to explore just a bit and grab some basic groceries. I had forgotten how much I love Paris. Such a stunning city, and the language is so beautiful. I simply must move here at some stage soon, at least for a decent stint to really soak it all in and get my française up to a much better level.
I knew enough French language to be able to order some bread, buy some groceries and pay.
I headed back to our apartment and cooked up a basic dinner, rested for a while and then headed for bed.
