Day 58
PARIS, FRANCE
First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Charles!!! We remember last year..and the Egyptian night...what a night. Hope this birthday is as wonderful and colourful!!! xx
After recovering from our major event. Seeing the Eifel Tower we were outta our room on a tour of Paris. Took a sightseeing bus and saw all the major monuments. MONUMENTAL alright. Geepers...i was starting to wonder how amazed i could continue to be. Everywhere we go, is truly amazing. My jaw is just open, gobsmacked all the time.
Notre Dame.
We went inside and ok..neither of us are 'religious', spiritual yes, but not catholic which i always thought was the prerequisite for going into these wonderful cathedrals. But it's not. People respect you for your curiosity, for your interest, for your respect of the architecture, for the history..and for the potential faith that you may have.
So..we went in...and after admiring the huge leadlight windows...the gothic art and gargoyles (mainly outide on the roof and the flying butresses) and the sheer overwhelming size of hte cathedral...we saw the candles....
And we both thought of our parents. Not knowing whether people light these to say a prayer, or to rememember the passed, we thought we would like one each. For Greg's Mum. My Dad. It was special. Poignant. Greg has a different history to me, with him only in his twenties when his Mother died....and me with Dad, in his later years...and upon reflection with each other later i recalled what i was thinking when i lit the candle for Dad...
I thought of the last time we were in Church together. It was in the Anglican church that his parents, my Grandma and Grandpop helped to fund in Perth...Dad was so comical. So they were happy thoughts. Some of the things he said..ring in my ears, at the oddest moments!
Notre Dame is a very special chuch. There were two black priests singing and holding the mass...it was so enchanting. Their voices harmonised and echoed out in the cathedral enthralling and mesermerising everyone there...those taking mass and those inquisitives like us. We took heaps of pics of them.
Later, when we checked our photos...we could only see the white cloaks! No people! The backdrop was in dark iron and wood!
We did have a nervous giggle about that!
Afterwards we ate our supper..cos it was getting late and it wasn't dinner...could only call it supper....outside the cathedral, under the gargoyles!
Honestly, it's TRUE!!!!!
And dinner was yummy. Previously i'd been thinking, Who said Europe was expensive, because it's been so far really cheap..in Spain, in Portugal and southern France..but ohlala...Paris is EXPENSIVE! For supper..we had (shh don't tell our doctors...lots of cholesteral in this) cheese laden hotdogs and sheese and ham sandwiches, french fries, orange juice and icecreams after!!!!! All for thiry euros. And Euro wise....it's 1.5 Aussie dollars to the 1 euro!
We resolved to eat out of supermarkets for a week!!!!!
Next. THE LOUVRE.
Artist paridise. What a place. It's massive. We spent almost 7 hours there. Took heaps of pics.
The MONA LISA.
Now this is THE LOUVRES gem for sure. In the past i'd heard comments about Leonardo Da Vinci (Leonard de Vinci according to the plaque in France) and how small it was. In comparison to what they'd seen in books. So. I was expecting a really small painting. But it was actually bigger than i thought! A1 size. Talk about security. There was two security guards protecting it alone. With security guards in every corner of the room. It was housed behind bullet proof glass. Which was behind a table so people couldn't touch the glass. Which was behind a rail so people couldn't touch the table. The security guards set up another barrier in front of the wooden rail so people couldn't surge forward.
Da Vinci's other paintings were outside hanging on the wall. No special security, yet famous but not infamous.
Think it was an important painting?
I THINK SO.
More so since Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. Greg saw this famous painting 20 years ago and it was not protected like this.
Thought of the Da Vinci Code and Sam. I gave this to him when he went to work in the Antarctic the year he turned 21. He loved the book, and the authors other books.
Rembrandts, Reubens, Renoirs, Rodin. Goya. All the European famous painters. And the French room...i just can't describe it all. I have a lot of my favourite paintings written down..and a lot of non flash pics taken of our favourites as well as some of the HUGE paintings....took pics just to reflect the sheer size of them.
Contemporary art missed out at the Louvre. Some, but not many. Mainly traditional painters.
Talk about incredible. We were in a maze, amazed. It was a maze too..we got lost so many times. What a HUGE place.
The next night we did have dinner at 'our favourite Paris restaurant' ... We found a beautiful place called Killy Jen!!
Oh dear....gets bad doesn't it. Got a favourite restaurant after 3 days. We are such homeless souls. Nowhere to call home.
Anyway...Paris was wonderful.
Got a little homesick here..thinking of the kids...and thinking mum would have loved the art galleries and the ceramics and just to be there..but i also thought...it would be a hard thing for older people....because having to climb all the steps and stairs would reduce being enjoy it (i took heaps of pics for you mum). I honestly have never seen so many stairs in one place. As in the Louvre. A sheer feat of human endurance just to see all the rooms and all the artwork and sculptures.
We can't wait to come back! Go to Moulin Roug. See Rodin and Picasso. Have a better look at the Opera House. See Brittany and Normandy and the wine areas..champagne, burgundy..ohhlala..and everywhere else we want to go..just generally absorb this whole French culture.
Perhaps we'll come back and live here for a year one day!!!!!!!! Like Mary Moody.
Anything's possible.
PS GO DOCKERS. You can do it. Adelaide. Easy peasy. AND..for Greg. And Andy. And Elise. And Sam! KEEP UP THE SPIRIT EAGLES!!!!! 5 straight wins...geeeeeepers...thank goodness they're my second team....and i can 'go for them' in the finals when and if the Dockers are knocked out. Which i doubt of course!
Sunday, 29 April 2007
ROMANTIC PARIS - EIFEL TOWER
Day 57
PARIS, FRANCE
After we arrived in Nimes we thought..well why the heck not, let's go to Paris. We'd already psyched ourselves up to go when we thought we were going...
So that night, the night on the train station as soon as we arrived in Nimes, we booked a 3 day ticket to Paris! THE city, approx 600km's away...that we nearly ended up in before we got our reprieve by the conductor with the big smile as he waved us off the day the express train to Paris stopped for little ol us!
It took only 3 hours away on a high speed train.
And after spending time in Nimes seeing the Place Des Arenas (the huge 2005 year old amphitheatre) which was absolutely spectacular..and experience Nimes, the medieval southern French town that we almost missed....we were off to the romantic Paris!
Left Nimes, was initiated into French food, chicken roll with french fries which we got takeway to eat on the train..
THEN. UH oh, more dramas. As only we have! When we got on the 'right train to Paris' we searched for our booked seats. And there was someone in them!! What? Get out! We thought and didn't verbalise. The frenchman defiantly got out his pass...and yep, he had the same seats.
What was wrong?????????
Gulp. We didn't double check the dates. We just assumed that 'tomorrow' was the next day. She must have heard TO MORROW as TWO. TWO DAYS AWAY. We got the wrong date. We were supposed to be leaving that day..but with the language barriers there was a slight communication breakdown............
Right seats, wrong day.
Bit like in Nimes...when we said we wanted wine - vino - WINE! (As we lifted our hands to our mouth with the drinking movement). And the waitress looked at us in horror..."WINE!" "What is WINE?"
Wine? In Paris. What is wine? GOSH.....wine is your honey..your drink...the english word every French waitress should know.....
Anyway....that's another story. We should also know french shouldn't we. Afterall, wine is english, vino is Spanish...what's wrong with us!
We arrived at the Blue Planet Hostel, after searching for somewhere to stay and thinking we didn't really want to be roamning around Paris at night! And believe me, when you make mistakes like us, and accidently go down French train station tunnels and see the homeless set up with tents between pillars you really get a bit nervous...especially when they're peering at you........
We were pretty lucky really, to get the accomodation. It was a twin, toilet and shower in the corridor, and basic...no sheets or towels or anything. But the guy did say we could hire sheets and towels (we had our own).
There was no electricity. The place had internet though, the only consolation. And breakfast was included in the 63 Euro a night (because we had three beds, a bunk and another single!)...Really, the place that Lonely Planet recommends..is a total rip off. Due to the demand, they can ask their price.
All the accomodation recommended by Lonely Planet all of a sudden costs more. I wonder why. Well. Wouldn't you if your hostel was advertised in the Travellers Bible. Mental note. Don't go anywhere recommended by them. Find our own in future. It's cheaper. As we found out when we were booking for our return in a couple of months.
AND, it was a place to sleep, it was the weekend and it's 2 minutes from the railway station. And everywhere else was booked. Hostels don't take bookings. And the next night it all got a bit better. We were shifted to another room with toilet and shower (douch and wc) were included in the room.
The first thing we did in Paris (gosh, still can't believe we were in PARIS!!!!!) was to............see the EIFEL TOWER. Of course!!!!!!!!!
So off we go..maps in hand. A quicky prasy of where we were and how to get there (well, not so quick..long for Greg, quick for me cos i just watched while he navigated!) And....ohlala...we find the place where Moulin Roug was playing. Quick stop. Can we get in? We line up. Hopeful. Found we were in the line that was for a broadcast advertising thing that the people had to register prior for (according to the gorgeous helpful Frenchman in front of us) and so...back to another line....geepers...we act like sheep sometimes!
We found out it was booked for months...so we will book ahead for when we get back here in a couple of months!
So....off to the EIFEL TOWER.
Ohhhhh....we charged along the beautiful streets, soaked ourselves with the atmosphere and ambience of France..Paris...and walked the Champs Elysees...looked at all the monuments..dodged the cars....took in the view of the River Seine......got overwhelmed by everything French..looked beyond the carefully cultivated hedges..and...
THERE IT WAS!! Peaking out....from over the bridge and across the river...and past the ferries on the Seine.
Ohhhhhhh.
The Eifel Tower. The alluring Eifel Tower. The tower that I was to stand on with Elise when she was 15.
I thought so much of her.....(hi Elise my gorgeous, i know you're reading this!) and.......well.......Greg and i just took it in. And took pictures at every step as we moved closer. I got tears. Sounds weird. I mean..why was this so important? I dunno. Just always wanted to see it....since i arrived in the UK when i was 15 and knew France was just 'over there' from England. Just wanted to get here..and it took me a further 30 years (ok not quite) to get to Paris. To see the Tower. To see the Louvre. To breath in French air.
As we approached the tower...and took more pics..looked at the sillohuette on the river.....there it was...lighting up before us. How perfect could this be? Weather just beautiful....and the night equisite.
Then..it started twinkling...at exactly 9pm every light on the tower twinkled. We just loved it.
Fancy seeing the Tower like that. It was so romantic. We kissed. Ohhh......
Then he asked me to marry him.....
And i said yes!
So. We're getting married in Las Vegas...ohhhh
THEN
We got to the Tower. Lined up for 45 mintutes (just like you did Cazza..same sign i reckon..i took a pic so we can compare when we get home!) Booked our ticket for the top tower (of course....!) and we fought the crowds to get in the lift...and away we went. Gustave Eifels amazing tower had us onboard, very excited. We were in awe. It's a manmade wonder of the world alright. Very maginficant. Very worthwhile. And well..magical in a way. We spend until closing time on the tower ... and somehow managed to drum up some energy after our adventurous day and got the stairs down the second level. Didn't climb up cos the stairs had closed after 6pm to the second level (that's our excuse anyway) BUT we did climb down.
Magical night. Lights of Paris staring at us on a perfect, clear night. What a night to be asked for a second time to get married. Oh dear. Who wants to meet us in Vegas for the wedding?
The trip home, around screaming french cars, on trains, fighting people at odd hours, eating dinner from a scary, deserted underground vending machine, scattered with homeless and knowing we just had to move, fast, outta there, and falling into bed at 2.30am was worth it.
We saw the TOWER. FINALLY. And yes Elise..it's something you and David should see together, and yes Cazza i can see why your night there with Keith was romantic..it's a place for lovers. Especially at night.
Our first night in Paris.
Still can't believe it.
PARIS, FRANCE
After we arrived in Nimes we thought..well why the heck not, let's go to Paris. We'd already psyched ourselves up to go when we thought we were going...
So that night, the night on the train station as soon as we arrived in Nimes, we booked a 3 day ticket to Paris! THE city, approx 600km's away...that we nearly ended up in before we got our reprieve by the conductor with the big smile as he waved us off the day the express train to Paris stopped for little ol us!
It took only 3 hours away on a high speed train.
And after spending time in Nimes seeing the Place Des Arenas (the huge 2005 year old amphitheatre) which was absolutely spectacular..and experience Nimes, the medieval southern French town that we almost missed....we were off to the romantic Paris!
Left Nimes, was initiated into French food, chicken roll with french fries which we got takeway to eat on the train..
THEN. UH oh, more dramas. As only we have! When we got on the 'right train to Paris' we searched for our booked seats. And there was someone in them!! What? Get out! We thought and didn't verbalise. The frenchman defiantly got out his pass...and yep, he had the same seats.
What was wrong?????????
Gulp. We didn't double check the dates. We just assumed that 'tomorrow' was the next day. She must have heard TO MORROW as TWO. TWO DAYS AWAY. We got the wrong date. We were supposed to be leaving that day..but with the language barriers there was a slight communication breakdown............
Right seats, wrong day.
Bit like in Nimes...when we said we wanted wine - vino - WINE! (As we lifted our hands to our mouth with the drinking movement). And the waitress looked at us in horror..."WINE!" "What is WINE?"
Wine? In Paris. What is wine? GOSH.....wine is your honey..your drink...the english word every French waitress should know.....
Anyway....that's another story. We should also know french shouldn't we. Afterall, wine is english, vino is Spanish...what's wrong with us!
We arrived at the Blue Planet Hostel, after searching for somewhere to stay and thinking we didn't really want to be roamning around Paris at night! And believe me, when you make mistakes like us, and accidently go down French train station tunnels and see the homeless set up with tents between pillars you really get a bit nervous...especially when they're peering at you........
We were pretty lucky really, to get the accomodation. It was a twin, toilet and shower in the corridor, and basic...no sheets or towels or anything. But the guy did say we could hire sheets and towels (we had our own).
There was no electricity. The place had internet though, the only consolation. And breakfast was included in the 63 Euro a night (because we had three beds, a bunk and another single!)...Really, the place that Lonely Planet recommends..is a total rip off. Due to the demand, they can ask their price.
All the accomodation recommended by Lonely Planet all of a sudden costs more. I wonder why. Well. Wouldn't you if your hostel was advertised in the Travellers Bible. Mental note. Don't go anywhere recommended by them. Find our own in future. It's cheaper. As we found out when we were booking for our return in a couple of months.
AND, it was a place to sleep, it was the weekend and it's 2 minutes from the railway station. And everywhere else was booked. Hostels don't take bookings. And the next night it all got a bit better. We were shifted to another room with toilet and shower (douch and wc) were included in the room.
The first thing we did in Paris (gosh, still can't believe we were in PARIS!!!!!) was to............see the EIFEL TOWER. Of course!!!!!!!!!
So off we go..maps in hand. A quicky prasy of where we were and how to get there (well, not so quick..long for Greg, quick for me cos i just watched while he navigated!) And....ohlala...we find the place where Moulin Roug was playing. Quick stop. Can we get in? We line up. Hopeful. Found we were in the line that was for a broadcast advertising thing that the people had to register prior for (according to the gorgeous helpful Frenchman in front of us) and so...back to another line....geepers...we act like sheep sometimes!
We found out it was booked for months...so we will book ahead for when we get back here in a couple of months!
So....off to the EIFEL TOWER.
Ohhhhh....we charged along the beautiful streets, soaked ourselves with the atmosphere and ambience of France..Paris...and walked the Champs Elysees...looked at all the monuments..dodged the cars....took in the view of the River Seine......got overwhelmed by everything French..looked beyond the carefully cultivated hedges..and...
THERE IT WAS!! Peaking out....from over the bridge and across the river...and past the ferries on the Seine.
Ohhhhhhh.
The Eifel Tower. The alluring Eifel Tower. The tower that I was to stand on with Elise when she was 15.
I thought so much of her.....(hi Elise my gorgeous, i know you're reading this!) and.......well.......Greg and i just took it in. And took pictures at every step as we moved closer. I got tears. Sounds weird. I mean..why was this so important? I dunno. Just always wanted to see it....since i arrived in the UK when i was 15 and knew France was just 'over there' from England. Just wanted to get here..and it took me a further 30 years (ok not quite) to get to Paris. To see the Tower. To see the Louvre. To breath in French air.
As we approached the tower...and took more pics..looked at the sillohuette on the river.....there it was...lighting up before us. How perfect could this be? Weather just beautiful....and the night equisite.
Then..it started twinkling...at exactly 9pm every light on the tower twinkled. We just loved it.
Fancy seeing the Tower like that. It was so romantic. We kissed. Ohhh......
Then he asked me to marry him.....
And i said yes!
So. We're getting married in Las Vegas...ohhhh
THEN
We got to the Tower. Lined up for 45 mintutes (just like you did Cazza..same sign i reckon..i took a pic so we can compare when we get home!) Booked our ticket for the top tower (of course....!) and we fought the crowds to get in the lift...and away we went. Gustave Eifels amazing tower had us onboard, very excited. We were in awe. It's a manmade wonder of the world alright. Very maginficant. Very worthwhile. And well..magical in a way. We spend until closing time on the tower ... and somehow managed to drum up some energy after our adventurous day and got the stairs down the second level. Didn't climb up cos the stairs had closed after 6pm to the second level (that's our excuse anyway) BUT we did climb down.
Magical night. Lights of Paris staring at us on a perfect, clear night. What a night to be asked for a second time to get married. Oh dear. Who wants to meet us in Vegas for the wedding?
The trip home, around screaming french cars, on trains, fighting people at odd hours, eating dinner from a scary, deserted underground vending machine, scattered with homeless and knowing we just had to move, fast, outta there, and falling into bed at 2.30am was worth it.
We saw the TOWER. FINALLY. And yes Elise..it's something you and David should see together, and yes Cazza i can see why your night there with Keith was romantic..it's a place for lovers. Especially at night.
Our first night in Paris.
Still can't believe it.
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