[Re-post from my old blog] Paris Part II : Traveling Tourists

Limited mobility, or should I say bed rest Day 7 is quite productive.  I'm migrating two of my original posts from my old blog - Meowth Moments  to Meowthlovescoffee.  

        Paris Part I : Kuting in Paris - Lost in Translation (May 2012)

        Paris Part II : Traveling Tourists (May 2012)

Aside from making this blog as my online chronicle, I'm pretty sure there are first-time visitors to Paris who are interested to travel at their pace, without having to join a group tour or hire a tourist guide.  This blog may also provide them with insights. I also tried to recall the actual cost of some items, as possible input to the readers' travel budget.  

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Traveling – my life is incomplete without it.  The intrigue of foreign travel lures me.  It is a chronic case of wanderlust.  What I love about traveling is soaking up the culture; fun and learning taking place at the same time, and in a place that used to be unfamiliar to the senses. 

As for our EU trip, Cashmer and I only got few weeks to prepare for it.  She would have to attend business meetings in Paris.  We had to be more efficient in time management, in order for us to experience the best of the Parisian culture. There was no excuse for jet lag. On our very first day in Paris, we were fueled by a high-level of excitement.  Here are pieces of evidence.

Day 1 – Sunday, 7:30AM:  Cashmer and I met at Charles De Gaulle (CDG) International Airport in Paris.  She came from Singapore, where she works for a legal consultancy firm.  I flew from Manila, then to HK – Paris in a CX flight.  (Manila to HK = 1.6hrs, HK to Paris = 13.2hrs. Round trip fare about P68k).  From CDG, it took us about 30 minutes to get to the hotel via metered cab, 25KM, fare = 50Euros*.  Radisson Blu Ambassador Hotel would be our home for a few days.  It is strategically located along Boulevard Haussmann, a prime business center in Paris.

* The plural recommended for use in official European documents written in English has been euro for some time, but this recommendation has been amended to euros. - Wiktionary.org

Bonjour, Paris!
Expressway from CDG to Paris

Radisson Blu Ambassador Hotel, Boulevard Haussmann
Home away from home

 10AM – Off to Champs Elysees (shahn-zay-lee-ZAY) via METRO Richelieu Drouot Station to Franklin D. Roosevelt.  A day-ticket, which is good for unlimited rides within 24 hours, 9.75Euros.

Station Richelieu Drouot, Boulevard Haussmann
Giddy, first time to explore Paris Metro

Pomme de Pain – our first cafe along Champs Elysees.  The serving size is good for brunch.  A set meal goes for about 7Euros.  I was never a fan of bread, but after enjoying a baguette at Pomme de Pain, that changed the way I look at bread.  I survived 10 days without rice for carbs, only bread.  Now, I love to eat croissants, pain au lait, and the deliciously chewy baguette with lotsa’ cheese plus Sauvignon Blanc [soh-vee-nyo(n) blah(n)].

Delicious and Nutritious: Baguette + Cheese and Deli + Strawberries + Coffee

Retail Therapy for BAGAHOLICS:  Cashmer and I visited Louis Vuitton, Champs Elysees.  We paid homage to the Maison, and paid for some precious arm candies, as well.  It was not about ‘weak constitution’ for me, but I did survive months of bag ban and that it was lifted a week before my birthday (LV bags were virtually singing ‘Happy Birthday, Ann’ in unison).  We also bought bring-home gifts for family and friends from L’Occitane.  The sales associates gave us a lot of freebies (a lot!), and they did ask about our very own Boracay.  Genuinely friendly and English-speaking people in Paris are comparable to hard-to-find gems. In other areas of the city, retail shops are closed on Sundays.  The best district for shopping on a Sunday is Champs Elysees. 

Courtesy call to the Maison. =)

Busted. BAGAHOLIC me.

Toilette (twa-let) may not be viewed as necessity at the Champs district.  Only few shopping establishments have public toilettes.  One has to pay, 20 cents - 80 cents just to be able to use the toilet. In restaurants / brasseries, it is not unusual to see signage that reads – “toilettes are for customers only.”

Retail therapy was completed at around 3PM.  We headed back to the hotel to deposit our shopping finds.  It was a 15 min-drive via cab, for 9Euros.  The cab driver was commenting about politics:  Hollande vs. Sarkozy.  That Sunday was the first round of the presidential election - an interesting time to be in France!  Our first political discussion, very engaging one, was with a cab driver. He spoke English quite well.

It was in the next few days that it became pronounced that majority of cab drivers in Paris speak good English; and they are generally friendly. 

From Boulevard Haussmann, it was an easy METRO ride going to Trocadero – the station of choice when visiting the Eiffel Tower.  From Trocadero, one has to walk about 10 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower.  It was quite an effortless walk because we got to see the extent of the tower’s imposing and majestic view. 

View of Eiffel Tower from Trocadero

My good friend , Cashmer.  

Our plan was to go on a Seine River cruise after sunset via Bateaux Parisien…but sunset in springtime is at 9:30PM. From Eiffel, we went to Musee du Louvre via METRO.  The time was enough for us to get a quick view of the museum.  We would go back to Louvre for a half-day tour in the weekend.  We had our first dinner in a brasserie outside the Louvre. (In all Parisian restaurants I tried, veggies are fresh and naturally sweet.  Average cost of a complete meal in brasseries, 18Euros.)

Glass and steel pyramid at Musee D' Louvre

Happiness! 

Duck : lovin’ springtime at the Louvre

Dinner, 8PM – sun was still up as if it was only 3PM
Sunset in springtime: past 9PM

Fast food deal : brasserie style

We were back at the Eiffel Tower a bit before sunset.  We headed for the boat station's ticket booth.  A BATOBUS hop on hop off ticket, 15Euros per person.  It is a 24-hour pass to 8 river stations:  Tour Eiffel, Musee D’Orsay, Saint Germain des Pres, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hotel de Ville, Louvre, and Champs Elysees.  A night cruise is a way on how one can acquire a better understanding why Paris is called La Ville Lumiere or The City of Lights.  The highlight of that night cruise was the Illuminations of the Eiffel Tower – majestic, monumental, romantic!

9:30PM, Spring – Eiffel Tower

Notre Dame via Seine River Night Cruise

The Latin Quarter – Paris’ University Belt

Pont Neuf (lit. New Bridge) – Paris’ oldest bridge; inaugurated in 1607 by Henry IV.

Bastions of Pont Neuf

Seine River Night Cruise – Eiffel Tower Illuminations

Beyond words…

We were able to cover these places within a day.  We capped off Day 1 with a picture-taking session along Trocadero.  Temperature was about 3*C, which was literally shocking to the ribs.  We were back at the hotel a bit past midnight; disclaimer - we are not related to Cinderella.  I had a little energy left to take some photos of our room, before I escaped to snooze dreamland.  

No jet lag, just a good night sleep. =)

[Re-post from my old blog] Paris Part I: Kuting in Paris - Lost in Translation

As I not-so-quietly struggle being put on bed rest for days, I'm still thankful that I can read as many books as I can.  A book that I bought from Versailles (ver-sigh) was good enough to send me down memory lane.  It was about three years ago, when my appetite for adventure and misadventure is as heavy as my love for sports, that I explored one of my dream travel destinations.  I was by myself for almost three days, with -10 (just an arbitrary value) knowledge of spoken French.  

It's about time to update and move my original articles from my old blog to here. - Meowthlovescoffee

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It was my first time to attend a multicultural class outside my home continent (Asia).  It was not part of my itinerary, but since it was raining during my second day in Paris, I just wanted to stay indoors, but not in a museum.  So, I decided to sign up for a wine class! 

For the love of wine!  

Cashmer left early for her first of many business meetings, as in, many. I had to muster all the courage to walk the ‘cold and unfamiliar’ streets of Paris by myself; just relying on – my memory of the map, limited French language, and a trained internal compass (the one that screams in the head – I’m lost!). 

Paris is not as crime-free as Singapore.  Paris has its share of a few bad elements in the streets.  I had a hunch that most of these elements have medium-to-heavy built; it would be difficult to use against them the skills I got from the Karate Kid, Kung Fu Panda, and Elorde – even if I combined the techniques from these legends.  If I had to carry a map around the city and made it obvious, it was comparable to carrying an imaginary signboard, screaming: PREY.  Tsk, tsk, tsk.

GPS mobile applications were not mainstream back in 2012.
So, there, I had to study the map before I could go out.

I had to wear four layers of clothing – thermal undershirt, thermal stockings, thick denim dress, wool cardigans, trench coat, scarf around my neck, and semi high-cut boots.  Imagine – Kuting (Kitten) in Paris.  I don't really thrive in cold climate.  I needed more calories to keep my temperature warm.  No human blanket available, so I just  enjoyed a hearty brunch at the Radisson Blu.  The French won't surely like it when I'm hungry. (Thanks, Hulk.) 

The best-tasting breads are served in France.
Breakfast - bread basket via room service - Radisson Blu Ambassador Hotel

It was a gloomy day when I stepped out of the hotel at 12 noon.  The weather forecast was pretty accurate, with temperature at 8*C, drizzle, occasional winds that sent shiver to the bones.  I walked to the nearest Metro station, my hands in akimbo, and I was trying to act normal, I mean, unfriendly.  

Metro + Walking :  The Metro station is called Richelieu Drouot (Chartreuse colored line – light/soft lime green), my ‘home station’ for several days.  (Good thing, I bought a 3-day Metro ticket the other day at Champs Elysee.  Minor train stations do not always have days-worth of tickets to sell.)  4 stations from Richelieu Drouot is the Franklin D. Roosevelt station.  From Roosevelt, I transferred to the yellow line going to Louvre de Rivoli.  

Richelieu Drouot is a relatively quiet Metro station along Blvd. Haussmann.
It is a few steps from Radisson Blu Ambassador Hotel.

When I reached Rivoli, a brasserie caught my attention.  I walked in to try some authentic French cuisine, plus a bottle of Badoit (I got addicted to this sparkling water – it’s like Sprite minus the sugar). 

From Louvre, it would take about 15min-walk to O'Chateau, located along Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau. For me, it was longer. Either French people are not so inclined in giving directions, or they don’t speak English at all. 

Scenario 1

Me:  Excuse me, Madame.  Bonjour! (Bon – shouwr :  Good day)  Do you know which way to…

Lady:  (cutting my sentence) Non Anglais…(meaning: no English)

Scenario 2

Me:  Bonjour!  Do you know which way to O'Chateau, Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau?

Guy:  C’est dix minutes a pyay…

Me:  Pardon. Je ne comprends pas (Zher ner kom pron pa).  Parlez vous Anglais?  (Par-lay voo ong-glay).  (Translation:  Sorry. I don’t understand. Do you speak English?)

Guy:  Pardon.

Scenario 3

Me:  Bonjour! Excusez-moi (eks-kyu-zay-mwa = excuse me).  Do you know which way to O'Chateau, Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau?

Guy:  It’s near.  You just walk to the left (signaling to the right)…

Me:  Oh, so you, mean, left (using my hand to signal to the left)…

Guy:  Sorry…Yeah, it’s to the left..then…ah first, no, second street, turn left…you won’t miss it.

Me:  Merci!  (Thanks)

Guess what?  I followed his instructions and I got lost…I was trying to find my way to O'Chateau in the next 15 minutes.  The street signage were not so helpful, but I knew it is somewhere within that area…I sent a distress signal to Heaven:  Lord, please send me angels…sigh, sigh…The street was empty, and I was getting nervous, but I continued walking that led me to the next scenario…

Scenario 4

Guy:  Miss, Filipino ka? (Are you Filipino?)

Me:  Oo, Filipino nga ako. Nawawala ata ako.  (Yes, I’m Filipina. I think I’m lost.)

Lady 1:  San ka ba pupunta? (Where are you going?)

I showed them the address.

Lady 2:  Sa kabila lang ito.  (Next street from here).

Guy:  Tawid tayo. Tapos, unang kanto kaliwa, kita na O'Chateau.  (Let’s cross the street.  Then, first street turn left, you'll see O Chateau). 

Me:  Thank you.  It was an answered prayer.  I was starting to get scared already, then you people saw me.  Hay… 

I was at O'Chateau 15 minutes before the class started. I was the only Filipino / Southeast Asian enrolled in the class for that day.  Most of my classmates came in late because they also got lost.  It was an informative and enjoyable class that warrants another blog entry.  

"Hi! I'm Ann from Manila.  I like alcohol in general.  I'm good friends with Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels, and Jose Cuervo.  Today, I'm learning about wine." 

Pro Earth Run 2015: Run the Race for Mother Earth

PRESS RELEASE

In its Global Climate Risk Index 2015, Germanwatch listed the Philippines as one of the countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2013.

It also reconfirmed that "less developed countries are generally more affected [by extreme weather] than industrialized countries, and forewarned that “if mitigation efforts are not immediately taken, the world will continue heading down the path towards dangerous climate change.”

Is it a downward spiral from here? Prayerfully, NO.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” said Chinese Philosopher Lao-tzu. So is the race to protect, respect, and oversee care for Mother Earth.

To increase awareness on environmental responsibility and raise funds for Earth Day Network Philippines' continuing projects and programs, do join the PRO Earth Run on 25 April 2015, 4:30AM, Mall of Asia Grounds, Pasay City. To register, simply click 'Register Now' in the link below.

Let's all run the race for Mother Earth! 

NatGeo Earth Day Run 2015

PRESS RELEASE

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL’S EARTH DAY RUN 2015 EXPECTS LARGEST PARTICIPATION OF 20,000 RUNNERS

Earth Day Run 2015, powered by National Geographic Channel (NGC), will be introducing new and exciting changes to mark its sixth year as one of the biggest running events in the Philippines. With RunRio at the helm, Earth Day Run 2015 is expecting 20,000 runners to participate on April 26, 2015 at the Mall of Asia Open Grounds, with the addition of 5,000 runners for its Baguio leg. Support from the registration of all participants will help raise money for portable solar powered lighting kits that will be sent to communities in Mindoro, a project of NGC’s environmental partner, World Wildlife Fund for Nature.

These portable solar powered lighting kits will provide light and electricity to the Tawbuid Mangyan tribesfolk and Forest Rangers’ camps that are not directly connected to power grids. The lighting kits eliminate the use of highly-flammable kerosene to light up their homes and gives them access to a safe, stable and sustainable energy source that gives more opportunities for community development and advancement. 

Registration Details

Online:  February 23 to April 12, 2015

              http://www.runrio.com/natgeorun2015

                Note:  Online payment through credit card.  

                          Race kit will be delivered for an additional fee, P200.00

                          Singlet sizes and race categories are subject to availability.

In Store: March 16 to April 19, 2015

                Registration Sites:  Toby's SM MOA / Toby's SM North Edsa / Toby's Shangri-la

                  Note:  Race kit to be given upon payment of the registration fee. 

                           Singlet sizes and race categories are subject to availability.

Race Inclusion

Category / Assembly Time / Gun Start
  
   Sunday, 26th April 2015, SM Mall of Asia Grounds

   5km   / 5:00 am / 5:30 am

   10km / 4:30 am / 5:00 am

   21km / 2:00 am / 2:30 am

   42km / 1:00 am / 2:00 am 

Event Singlet

 Finishers Shirt

 Finishers Medal

Race Map

Run United 1 2015

The 2015 Run United 1 will be held on March 8, 2015 with 5k, 10k, and 21k race categories. All categories will have a start and finish at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

Registration Schedule
Online: Jan 19 to Feb 22
Instore: Jan 26 to Mar 01

Registration Site
RUNNR B1 Bonifacio High St. The Fort, Taguig City 
Toby’s Galleria 3F Robinson’s Galleria, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Toby’s SM North – The Block G/F, North Ave. cor. EDSA Quezon City
Toby’s SM Mall of Asia, G/F Entertainment Hall, MOA Complex, Pasay City

Registration Fee
PHP700 - 5km
PHP800 - 10km
PHP900 - 21km
Note: Additional P200 will be charged for race kit delivery; P150 for delivery and processing fee, and P50 web admin fee

Category, Assembly Time, Gun Start
21km: 3 am, 4 am
10km: 4 am, 5 am
5km:  4:30 am, 5:30 am

Race Tee and Finisher's Shirt

Finisher's Medal

2015 Unilab Active Health Calendar

Good news from our friends at UNILAB Active Health. 

Exceed yourself! UNILAB Active Health (ULAH) continues to challenge everyone to create a better version of themselves. One may choose to upgrade to longer distances, or establish new personal records. Better training, better gear, better nutrition, and better races, will all lead to achieving a better you. The 2015 ULAH calendar has been developed with experts within the swim, bike, and run community to cater to those who desire to progress from where they are today, to be better tomorrow.

Kindly standby for further announcements on event details, registration dates, and additional events/training programs within the 2015 UNILAB Active Health Calendar.