Travel Day to Paris (September 4th)

When we were in Le Chable (the day we took the cable car to Verbier), we also purchased our tickets to travel from Zermatt to Paris at the train station. It would have been a little less expensive to purchase way in advance (and more expensive the couple days prior), but we wanted to be sure that we were enjoying the hiking and the weather was cooperating before committing. 

So this was travel day - we woke at 6:30am, had breakfast, grabbed a couple sandwiches from the bakery next door, and got on the first of three trains. On our way out of Zermatt on the first train, we saw the world's longest suspension bridge - 494 meters (1,620 feet) and 85 meters (279 feet) high, traversing the Grabengufer - this is part of one option on the Haute Route that we (obviously) did not take - it involved a cabane and I think we've made ourselves clear on our stance on cabanes.  The Israelis did take this route and unfortunately it was overcast and foggy that day and they did not get good views. Since we would have been on the suspension bridge at the same time, I'd say it all worked out.

The Swiss trains were very clean and had bathrooms - and ran on-time -  can't ask for much more than that. 

Brad should have brought a book, obviously......

As always, the views were great - this is Lake Geneva........

We did have to show our passports on the third train (we traveled Zermat to Visp to Lusanne to Paris) then in Paris we arrived at the Gare de Lyon (train station) and took the metro to the Oberkampf stop. From here, we walked to our Airbnb........

Which was in the 11th arrondissement......

And up five flights of stairs..........

We met Kristen the owner, who was very nice. She provided an immense amount of information about Paris prior to our arrival and was a wealth of information when we got to her place.  It was a small apartment (this is Paris, of course), but worked well for us,  It was a bit cluttered for our taste (especially Suzanne) as Kristen lives there when she is in Paris and so her personal stuff was all about. Honestly, it was a bit weird staying in a place where someone lived - in fact she had packed up and left so we could stay there. Guess she stayed in a hotel......

The apartment did have great cross-ventilation and looked out over a courtyard, so that was really cool (and quiet). 

We grabbed a quick bite to eat at a local bistro (salad for Suzanne, chicken for Brad) with some nice inexpensive French table wine, and then stopped by the local food store to grab some breakfast items - finally - oatmeal and peanut butter!!!! Wahooo!!!!

Tomorrow - Paris!