We are taking the high speed train from Barcelona to Paris, which takes about 6.5 hours.
Barcelona Sants, the train station at Pl. dels Països Catalans, 1, 7, Sants-Montjuïc, 08014 Barcelona, proves to be a learning experience for us. There are many different train operators (e.g. local city metro buses and metro, commuter trains, medium and long distance / international trains), so I realize we need to find which one we're taking in order to figure out where to go, as the display boards and entrance gates are different for each operator. Thankfully I easily find someone to ask, and I manage to understand where we need to go. I hear her mention something about 8:28 but that part doesn't sink into my brain.
This train station has a security screening process where bags are scanned. There are not tight restrictions (e.g. no liquids limit), so it's fairly quick and easy to get through. What I don't realize until it's too late, of course, is that once we pass security, we're stuck in pergatory. There are no food or retail outlets after security, so we're stuck in a basic waiting area with chairs - as we're also too early to board the train. And Mike and I are hangry. The 8:28 mention was apparently guidance that we not pass through security until 1 hour before our scheduled departure, so that we'd have freedom to wander around the train station until then.
Unlike all other major metro train stations, Barcelona Sants is plain, blah. But it's clean and orderly. We manage to figure out which car we're on and where our seats are.
The snack bar is conveniently located in the car next to ours. Here's something I haven't noticed back home (but then again, I probably haven't looked for them): Meat Chips. How were they, you ask? You'll have to ask Mike...
The trip to Paris makes many stops, and passes through countrysides, cities, and coastal regions. We are on the lower level of the train heading to Paris, and the views are decent - but we'll be on the upper level when we return to Barcelona, and I've read that the views are definitely better from the upper level.
The TGV is a high speed train, so of course I'm curious how fast it goes. They've anticipated that people would want to know, and periodically display the speed on the digital signage. Here's the fastest speed I saw (they display it in kilometres as well as in miles for us non-metric people):
When we arrive at the Paris train station (Gare de Lyon), it's very crowded so we're mindful of our belongings. As we're navigating our way through the crowds, there's suddenly a loud commotion - 2 police tackling a man to the ground, and he was definintely putting up a fight. Perhaps he was caught pickpocketing - but this scene of the man being tackled on the ground is one that comes to mind when we're at the Louvre in a few days.
It's raining a little in Paris when we arrive so I decide to take a photo from the taxi to capturing this bit of rain.
It was hard to decide where to stay in Paris - 20 arrondisements to choose from results in analysis paralysis! I landed on staying in Le Marais, and it was a fantastic choice for us as it's a great walking neighborhood with lots of small streets lined with shops and cafes - perfect for wandering on foot.
A French colleague of mine (shoutout to Emma) gave me a list of recommendations which was so helpful! Our first night in Paris, we try one of her recommended food spots nearby: Maslow. Turns out it's vegetarian, and the food was really creative and delicious!
The Portobello Katsu dish was the huge winner! The mushroom was proportionately thin, and everything about this dish was perfectly balanced (mushroom vs breading; incredible flavor; texture was just right). Oh so good!
After dinner, we duck into this small cafe (literally called "Little Cafe). Two Play:5s gracing us with music as we enjoy a glass of wine and some people-watching.
And finally, a peak at the small bar in our small but lovely hotel (Hôtel 9Confidentiel, 58 Rue du Roi de Sicile, 75004 Paris).
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