Friday, June 20, 2014

Taking bus 84 in Paris

Some people come to Paris and never set foot on the bus.
You'd have to drag them kicking and screaming onboard a Paris bus.
Yet they're missing out on a very relaxed way to see Paris with all it's monuments.
You see lots of architectural details sitting on a bus you'd waltz right by walking in the street.
Like this sheep on rue du Four in the 6th. Shouldn't they call it rue du Mouton?
You can make notes of shops you want to go back to while on the bus.
Get interesting textural effects that Photoshop hasn't dreamt up yet.
"I took the 47 today all the way to Gare de l'Este and bought a pink scarf inside the train station!"
The nice French lady sitting behind her kindly pointed out, 
"If you look to your right you can see the Louvre". 
We could hardly keep from giggling. You do have nice little encounters on Paris buses that never happen on the MetroNo way.
Next time I need to draw a Paris street lamp I know where to go.
We changed buses in front of Repetto ballerina shop on rue de Sevres.
It may be a while before I go 'en point' again...
Or wear sandals...I was sitting on the bus when I got this shot...
OK, you may want to close your eyes for the next 2 pics, except my doc is vraiment charmante et trés beau mec/basically gorgeous..
I wish I could say the same about my new botte. Enorme et trés lourde. Who needs to lift weights when you've got this thing on? A mere 61€ in case you're dying to get one by the way.
Russell Crowe and I are now practically kissing cousins.

Post-clinique trauma, we had a bash-up dejeuner at Cafe Chezelles.
Me, I'll be taking bus 67 + 74. Then walking at a snail's pace but at least I can walk. Yesterday I walked to the local alimentaire/grocery on the island and found my much-missed Haribo. This 'boot is made for walkin' after all.For more info on: HOW-TO TAKE THE BUS!

48 comments:

  1. YAY You did get a boot!!! We'll be in Paris in a few weeks, and were there last summer as well. I didn't know there were any busses. We used the Metro and it was quite easy and convenient. I'll have to check them out! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Get a PARIS BUS book at the kiosk
      109 lines that intersect and get you there more slowly but definitely the more scenic route to take than the Metro.
      *Do avoid Rush Hour if possible..

      Delete
  2. The buses are great! And you can get off and back on if you see something interesting. We think the 63 is the best tour bus. Great views from Gare de Lyon to Passy. Glad to hear you are walking

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    1. Ooooo I haven't done the #63 bus.
      The 69 is nice too
      87 takes you through the 6th arr. all the way to the Eiffel Tower.
      The 84 passes a LOT of important pastry shops btw...I wanted to get off several times. Janice was not interested malheureusement..

      Delete
  3. Wonderful! I especially like the pictures of the sheep and the ballet shop window.

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  4. Up, I totally had Bus Phobia before you convinced me otherwise. You didnt mention how we reapplied our lipstick before the doctor came in. Beau indeed!

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    Replies
    1. THANKS JANICE for all your kind help!!!
      Couldn't have done it without you that's for sure.

      Delete
  5. You're right about your doctor;)
    Janice looks too cute with her flower in her hair..So cute.

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    Replies
    1. She's a flower girl all the way...very fem. that flower was grey pleated chiffon! Who knew?
      I haven't worn a flower since I was in the Nutcracker Suite...

      Delete
  6. My 1st trip, we took the bus as R Steeves recommended. A woman of a certain age started pointing out sights, we were sooo obviously star-eyes tourists, & I loved it! Once I was tired of walking & just took the next bus that came along! My last trip I only walked & took buses. Even though your boot is enorme, I'm glad it's a stage to no boot! Do people on the bus give you their seats? I like that European custom, in US doesn't happen so much.

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    Replies
    1. People here Always give you there seats.
      I may continue with the sticks for a while...ahem

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  7. What a laugh - at least you haven't lost your sense of humour through it all, Carol. Yes, I'm lazy about taking the bus since know the metro by heart. Each time I take the bus, I keep thinking I should do it more often... Three cheers for Janice!

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  8. Anonymous10:12 AM

    congratulations on your new boot! and thanks for reminding me of the fun of riding the bus. I used to stay in the 16th for work, near Radio France, and would ride the bus along the Seine rather than take Metro on lovely days to go shopping, sightseeing, etc. Do it once and the process is so easy! And the people are very friendly and helpful.

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  9. So happy you are mobile again. You've handled this with grace and tenacity. Janice has endeared herself more deeply to her readers and to yours, I'm sure. We are women! Hear us roar! Thank you, Helen Reddy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Clapping ;)

      Bon courage as they say here !

      Delete
  10. Anonymous10:50 AM

    Wonderful post-Golly I wish I had one of those red balloons to waft me across the Atlantic to Paris. But I want the Paris of Woody Allen's movie-too old-can't recall its title. Quick recovery and

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Midnight in Paris". Great movie and so un Woody Allen like. Loved it.

      Delete
  11. Sometimes I jump on a bus just to get out of the rain. it doesn't matter where it's going, I know I can get back to where I came from. One time I started a conversation with a woman who was reading a Rick Steves guide book she was heading to Montmartre I had no destination in mind, we ended up spending the afternoon together and having lunch. After lunch she got on the metro and I returned home by bus. My Navigo is my best friend in Paris.

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  12. With that boot, I only hope there is no big heat wave In Paris this summer! The bus looks wonderful! It's true, you can't see buildings well at all when you walk past...you need a bit of distance.

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    Replies
    1. Being able to go outside is a gift after being couped up for weeks...who cares the weather..

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  13. congrats on being ambulatory again .. and you know they do say things go better with Coke!

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  14. I just get the feeling you are going to "over-do".
    Please take it slowly at first. I do wish we had
    taken the bus when in Paris~ those stairs in
    the metro were tres difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not possible to over-do!
      The body goes on strike -fatigué

      Delete
  15. Leslie1:04 PM

    I recently received the bill for MY boot ...this should make you feel better...mine was $279.00 with insurance. Think of the shoes I could have bought!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Leslie.
      Some shoes in Paris don't cost so much after all.
      Make that SHOE.

      Delete
  16. cyndi from SD1:24 PM

    Yes,as some others have mentioned about Rick Steves,I thank him for pointing out the fun one can have riding a Paris bus,especially #69.If I'm not in a rush,I much prefer it over the Metro.
    I'm glad that you are doing better and better.

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  17. Anonymous1:40 PM

    Absolutely love your blog - it's one of my favorites. Lovely photos and humor. I'm retired now and cannot wait for my first long trip to Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous3:21 PM

    Glad to see you are on the mend, Carol. We just returned from two weeks in Paris (your blog was most helpful during our planning) and used the bus extensively. Number 87 was our go-to choice most often. For those into smart phone/tablet apps, there is a free one called RATP that can be quite helpful in picking routes, but it can be misleading sometimes, so some caution is advised.

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  19. I love the bus in Paris! Always stop by the tourist bureau on Avenue de l'Opera (near Monoprix) or one near you for the free bus map!

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  20. doctor is very nice. Haave you his address ;0)? I hope that you don't carry this shoes for a lot of time! Kiss Helga

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  21. Congratulations on giving the boot to the cast! ;-)
    Glad you're up and about now and couldn't agree more about buses. With a stroller they are lifesavers as well! I've even managed to convert S who always passionately hated getting on one before.

    xox

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  22. Bonnie L7:03 PM

    Carole, so glad you recommended we get the Paris Bus book at the news kiosk when we visited in January. Prior to The Book I would print map routes from RATP's website. Book is far superior.
    Great people watching on the buses; all classes of people use them. This last trip we stood next to a seated, clearly inebriated, young man drinking a beer en route! A few years ago, just before Christmas a well dressed middle aged man carried a ginormous Hermes bag; very good Santa!
    Navigo passes are well worth the effort if you are a frequent visitor, and are good for 10 years. You have to re-charge them, of course.
    Just a little disappointed that the boot isn't slightly more "chic", being in Paris and all. Glad you are getting better!

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  23. Great photos! I can see the benefits of the bus over the Metro - you have a view :)
    Good luck with that new boot!

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  24. Today it took me more than an hour and a half to go from Battery Park to the Art Students League by bus. The traffic in the city seems to be getting out of hand. I am sure Paris bus service is much better than ours. I hope Janice did well at her book signing. She seems very special.

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  25. Just wanted to share with you that I had to wear a boot for about six weeks. Unfortunately Doc did not tell me to buy a shoe equalizer. My Left hip was 'pushed' up and out of alignment.
    Consequently I have Sciatica that I have been dealing with since January. My heart sank when I saw your boot. Please be careful and try to find something for your other foot so that you
    are, more or less, equal on both feet. We need you functional to carry on with your superb,"Paris Breakfast".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my Ellen :(
      Someone else mentioned that other hip issue.
      Fortunately I only have 2-3 weeks with the damn boot and it's not on inside the house. I will ask the PT person tomorrow..
      Aieee

      Delete
  26. I LOVE taking the bus in Paris too! Good luck recuperating with your "botte" - maybe we can catch up in July?

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    Replies
    1. Love to meet up Mardi!
      Stay in touch svp

      Delete
  27. Anonymous5:12 PM

    What an ordeal Carole. Those boots are really difficult and obviously the other hip is affected to some extent. Based on my own experience I would say that it would be prudent to treat this experience as something that may take longer than what the specialist predicts; to heal really well I think you need to walk much less until the boot is off, to give the bone every chance (just go to the nearest pâtisseries and have two coffees and cake and just hang out, maybe). Then when the boot is off buy a walking stick to keep in your appartment. Whenever (if) you get a niggling pain back again just use the stick for support. A day or two with its support can save weeks running around after physiotherapists etc. I found the specialists don't always know exactly how the healing is going and caution will give a better long-term result. We love your photos and breezy style and the pâtisseries don't have to be the top ones either if it's easier to go local for the moment. Sorry I can't help myself.... 'charmante' goes with 'belle'. I always tell my students that getting the gender of inanimate objects wrong in French is inevitable for us but if you make that mistake with a person you are indicating a different gender. I found that in this, boys learn faster; a boy quickly learns not to say 'je suis intelligente' whereas girls just laugh and don't care if they have said 'I am an intelligent boy' (je suis intelligent). What a difference an 'e' makes. sorry..... Gwendoline en Australie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gwendoline en Australie,
      I appreciate your concern.
      I had a 'hairline' fracture...quite small
      The bones were not at all displaced and healed well as the x rays show.
      I have to trust my orthopedist.
      His CV is impressive.
      The PT concurred.

      Delete
  28. Carol, it's grand to see what progress you are making along the healing trail. The bus-riding photographic possibilities look great.

    What a dear friend you have in la Janice!

    I'd also wondered about whether that boot was going to put your "alignment" off kilter. Think other comments already mentioned this. I'm sure that your very wise self will sort out this interim balancing act.

    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes the PT said the same...I need a different heel height but I don't wear it indoors or all that much and only 2 weeks more soo..
      I do need to get 'Footing' or running shoes for everyday wear.
      Ballerinas are a Big no no I was told.

      Delete
  29. Yes, your doctor looks very yummy and I take buses everywhere - or trams or whatever the local transportation is.
    Gosh a ballet shoe shop. Tres chic.
    I will look out for Letters from Paris.

    Buster sends lots of love.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous5:47 PM

    i hope the bootie or just bare feet will keep you without any sciatica or pain walking around your apartment.......i hope a physio will advise.....soon you will be owner of some ' fab trainers'...i have noticed excellent designed ones this year

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  31. By bus is a fine way to see Paris--rain or shine!

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  32. I love taking the bus in Paris! It gets you there easily and so interesting to watch outside! You meet nice people on it, too!

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  33. The young lady wearing the lovely sandals is so totally a dancer! Beautiful hands (and legs too), but surprisingly non-gnarly feet. Hmm....I wonder if the Paris Opera dancers manage to keep their feet preserved from the ravages of the dance. It is magical France, after all ;)

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