PARIS - DAY ONE,  PART 2

Pictures always make rooms look bigger - we know that from vacation rentals we've had.  So while the living room didn't look quite as large now that we were seeing it in person, it was lovely (though plain) with lots of Parisian charm...high ceilings, beautiful crown moldings (that are everywhere!), long windows that open to a lovely courtyard and old chandeliers (in both livingroom and dining room).  The sofa is a family heirloom and not great so we're hoping to replace it.

The other rooms are sparsely furnished (a good thing, we think) so we can make them all our own.  We've already run into some quirky things - bed sizes vs. sheet sizes, WEIRD washing machine that takes FOREVER (really!!) to do one cycle, just to name a few.

Madame Archer was delightful and charming and seems very willing to work with us so we can personalize the apartment.

After finishing up at the apartment and getting keys, we had a 3:00 bank appointment.  It was early so we took the metro to a stop where there's a piazza-style plaza for sitting, drinking cafes etc. so we grabbed a Croque Monsieur, sat on a bench and people-watched before our appointment (now this is the Paris I love!!).

Our appointment took much longer than we expected because the advisor we've been working with was out with his wife and new baby.  Good for him but bad for us!!!  The young man who took his place spoke less English than we do French (yes, that is possible!!!) but he was very kind and we worked it all out.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening unpacking trying to begin to find places for things and establishing things we need/want to purchase.  All this on limited sleep (more a problem for me than David).

Because we still needed bedding and towels, we spent another night at the lovely hotel down the street where we had stayed the night we arrived.  Remember, we had already paid for this room because of the scheduling error of the initial reservation.  Everything does work together for good!!!
A good night's sleep helped prepare us for the next day.....