Arrived in Paris

My 2 flights (Sydney- Hanoi - CDG) with Vietnam Airlines  went smoothly. My biggest problem was trying to avoid coughing and disturbing people nearby . I had come down with a cold a few days before I left.  I had bought extra tissues in Sydney - just as well because only 1 of the 3 toilets I tried on each flight had tissues ( 2 had hand towels where the tissues should have been )

The train from  CDG airport into Paris left on time, but at about the 3rd stop it didnot start for about an hour and 1/4 . 'A fault in the line' apparently. Then it was slow and  became very full and had another 20 minute stop. I did what we had learnt to do in London - get out of our seats  at the stop previous to where we wanted to get off and move closer to the exit before incoming people got in the way. I tried this morning but it wasnot enough. They were several people between me and the door who did not want to move and other people trying to help me by getting these people to move, then,  2 burly men held the closing doors open for me as another sort of pulled one of the unmoving women out of the way. Phew, I thought.  On the train everyone had several layers including a warm outer layer, lots of scarfs and some hats but only 1 or 2 had gloves on.  It was 1 degreeC

I was not concentating on the walk from the station to the apartment and went round 3 sides of a rectangle. Instead of being annoyed with myself for making a mistake - I just thoguht " Ah well, that's what the books say you should do in paris, just wander around and follow your nose"

I finally arrived and was greeted by this view  from the 2 windows, both standing, sitting at the table, and sitting on the lounge.

I have spent the rest of the day  pottering in the adjacent few blocks - ate some food, bought some food.  My next challenge will be to stay awake till 7pm when the owner comes to visit and then be alert.