Thoughts from the Metro : Chatelet

I have a love/ hate relationship with Chatelet (line 1,4,5,7,11, rer a, b, d). It is a nice station to change because of the variety of directions that it offers, but sometimes it is not worth walking 1.5 miles just to arrive at the station. You will understand once you have done it.

For example, getting off at RER B and having to take line 11 or 7. You have to pass two moving sidewalks and it includes stairs. Usually I do not mind taking the stairs, but when I had to stand for 45 minutes in the RER, the escalator seems to be my best friend.

Also, I do not usually mind the musicians in the stations, there is a handicapped man, who plays contemporary music between the main corridor and line 14 who is pretty good. But recently at the main corridor ( the ticket counters and the walking sidewalks) there has been a man singing and he usually attracts a large crowd, at first it seems like no problem. But add rush hour night traffic and people walking in 100 different directions and people staying to listen to him, and these combinations do not mix. I have to push against the current literally to get to the ticket counters and pass to push my way to the RER. Just imagine if you are a tourist and have a huge suitcase, I think it would be worse...

Thoughts from the Metro

Every single week, one of my trajets to school or work, is delayed due to « stolen cables » ( un vol de cables) and it always seems to take place at Le Bourget . The first time, I saw the notice on the screen, I thought it was a joke. And the people around me giggled and made comments as well, so apparently, this is a new trend.

Recently the Direct Matin had a reportage on this situation, the article is in French, so I will give a summary in English. According to the prefecture in Val-de-Marne (the department with Disneyworld), around 200 robberies of metal occurred in 2010 against the 83 in 2009. The reason that people steal them, is because the brass or copper is gold in their eyes. Most of these robberies occur at night or right before the trains opening in the morning, which then paralizes morning traffic and creating a big headache.

Happy Strike week 2

This post is for those of you, who are currently on vacation in Paris or are coming sometime soon...beware of the transports (metro, bus, train).

Today starts week 2 of the transport strike and let me tell you it is not fun. Most of the metros, trams and buses iinside of Paris work so if you stay in the city, you shouldn't have problems. But for those who are like me, living in the suburbs or arriving at CDG, getting into Paris, may take longer than usual!

CDG-ers avoid the RER B at all costs, after a long fight, I would imagine you do  not want a headache, so take a taxi (only the ones that say taxi and have the lights, no black-market ones) usually around 40-70 euros depending on your luggage and the number of people. Also, avoid the RER when you need to go back to the airport, there are certain weekends when the train is not even going to the airport and instead there is a bus, again not worth the headache and getting in a  bad mood.

Going to Disneyland should be fine, the RER A is not on strike and is working normal, so no problems there!

same with RER C and going to Versailles, there does not seem to be any problems.

If you are thinking  that you can make a fast connection on rer e from Haussmann St. Lazare to Gare du Nord, avoid it. I take this train everyday (both ways) and it is not worth the zoo it becomes plus people aren't very nice.

To have a great trip in Paris without the headache, walk! The stroll from the Louvre to Arc de Triomphe is not that long and there are lots of exciting things to see along the way. Plus check out these other walking paths!

For more information about trains, metros and trams check out ratp.fr or transilien.fr