"FINDING HER LEGS...entrance into Paris"

When I entered Paris Saturday, June 1 at 2:00pm, it was with relief for a safe flight and nice "seat mate" named Robert from Memphis.

Yet, it was that usual uncertainity of following the right procedure for Passport and entrance control.  All in all, it was a breeze.  Then to claim luggage, again "no problem" and a huge French Sign was appropriate: BIENVENUE TO PARIS!!!

Then, as I tried to use the public phone to call the contact person to meet me at the Flat at 43 Rue Vieille du Temple, complications began.  I am not going into it except to say I was at the airport an hour trying to make that phone call.  Four French Men attempted to come to my rescue, 3 without much success but guiding me to the next one who was finally able to make the call.  Taking the Taxi into the center of Paris was not too bad, only 50 minutes and some conversation in English and French with the young driver was delightful.

My legs were failing me...I could tell I was weakening in the knees and in fact sat at the airport asking for divine guidance as to the next step, literally and figurealy.  I was trying to FIND MY LEGS.

That phrase is one we use for little girls (and boys) who are pulling up to stand, maybe take a step, then fall...flat on the Hiney (as Garrett says).  Then, up again they go until after several months of the process they take two steps, three and then walk.  Sometimes the walking turns to running, like our grandson, Derby who is 20 months old and runs most of the time. We also use that phrase for colts, calves and fawns, and other animals who begin with wobbly legs.

The analogy was fitting as I arrived in Paris.  You would think after 4 times of being here, I would know the process and there would be no complications, but each time it is a new experience.

The TRAFFIC, LANGUAGE, EUROS, and FATIQUE all combined to help me feel weak kneed and fragile.  How would I "find my legs".  After all, I have been walking for decades through a mix of venues, this one is just another one in the long list.

Once at the Flat, a delightful couple of French men met me, even took my suitcases up 3 flight of stairs to the ENTRANCE into my NEW FLAT.  Oh, it is so pretty, quiet even on one of the busiest streets in the La Marais, 4th Arrondissement.  They even helped me get "connected" to the WIFI (Wee Fee) and gave me yet another door code to learn, showed me around and answered some of my questions.  So, the legs were getting a little stronger.

At 6pm, I finally LEFT the flat and FOUND MY LEGS as I walked and walked and walked.

Went directly to the SEINE RIVER across the Pont Louis-Philippe, built in 1860-62 of 3 segmental arches. The bridge is 100 m long and 15 m wide.  As soon as I arrived I stopped, breathed deeply and watched for 15 minutes to soak up the breeze, and beauty of the river.  Then, I continued across the pedestrian connection to Notre Dame.  On that leg of the walk, I listened to a one man band entertain the strollers, as many were in Paris today because it was sunny, warm for Paris (mid 70 degrees) and a good day to be outside.

From there, I went to Notre Dame where it continues to raise my spirits ( and give me legs) to realize the gifts of God, the power of a faithful people to build the cathedral although it took many years.  This year they celebrate 850 years of life.  There is a grand stand errected on the front plaza, hopefully just for this year.  It is so disruptive but I guess it provides a necessary fixture for the ceremonies and concerts.  I stopped and sat on a bench where I talked to a few folks, one mother and daughter whose picture I took together.

I was tired, more tired than I had realized plus I had not eaten in 8 hours.

Once again, my legs did not fail me, as I walked across the Seine, this time along Pont Notre Dame. There have been wooden bridges on or close to this site for some 2,000 years and this was where the Romans built the bridge that became known as the Grand Pont, which helped provide a crossing of the Seine.  At one time in its history the masonry bridge which replaced the wooden one also carried two rows of houses.  These were removed in 1787.  This present bridge was opened by President Poincare in 1919.  The lamps on the bridge date from 1923.

Sorry NO pictures, as the camera was back at the flat re-charging

Walking back to the La Marais, I stopped for a bite of supper, nothing fancy, just to get me some nourishment.

It does not get dark here now until about 10pm.  It was about that when I arrived at the flat.  Immediately went to bed to try and rest from a long and busy day.

The LEGS had stopped for the night but at least I found them as I entered Paris for the first time in 2013.

Martha Leaving Memphis, heading to the airport, May 31, 2013

Below are pictures taken in the Flat in La Marais.  The first is of the living space, the second is a view of the courtyard outside my window.  Although I am on a VERY busy street, this building has a private entry and a quiet courtyard.  The third image is a painting of a rainy day under the Eiffel Tower.