Our day trip to Paris started early- we caught the 5:30am eurostar from London (and didn't get back until 10:30pm that same day). Daniel didn't come as he had cricket and a job interview. The Eurostar is a really great train, you could hardly feel you were moving on it. It allows you to get from London to Paris in under 2 and a half hours. Interestingly, there was a man sitting in front of us who had finished 3 cans of Stella Artois by 6:30 in the morning- now thats dedication/alcoholism....
First, we caught the Metro train into the city. Unfortunately this was our first time we smelled wee. This happened to be something we found we could not avoid, as even sitting in cafes you could smell urine. I think Parisians must just piss everywhere or their hobos don't congregate in alleys and subways like in London. Or maybe its that people object to paying 1 euro to use the bathroom (ie 2 dollars)- And also my other whinge is about the homeless people camped at the landmarks trying to get money from you. This guy was sitting by the Seine with his puppies begging for money.
We then caught an open top bus around Paris, one of the first very expensive activities for the day. Might be the most romantic city, but I would put it up there with the most expensive. Felt far worse than London.
Our first stop was the Louvre, site of the famous Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Worth seeing, even if on a limited time scale, but don't pay for the headphones (they are not worth it). The Louvre is great not only for its art, but also for the building itself. It used to be a palace until some French King (Louis something) decided to build Versailles instead.
We then also went by Notre Dame cathederal. It was a real tourist hub and huge lines to get in Quite pretty though. No hunchback in sight except some guy dressed up as the Hunchback busking...
Then we got to see the Arc de Triumphe and Champs Elysees- The Champs Elysees is this beautiful tree lined avenue. Was probably the best sight in Paris.
Finally, The Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately the weather was shocking. Really cold (we were expecting 22 degrees, but it was more like 16-17) and windy too. The lines to go up were really long too. The Eiffel Tower is actually best viewed from a distance we all agreed.
We got a good laugh because under the Eiffel tower you get approached by people trying to sell you these keyrings etc- Then all of a sudden they run away- Because the cops come by! They are obviously illegally selling them. It was this game of cat and mouse that went on over and over again. Didn't see any get caught though and they would return as soon as the cops left.
And finally- The Moulin Rouge!!! (Still playing the same play we saw there 3 years ago)
I just realised this blog sounds pretty negative. Unfortunately I must say that we really were disappointed with Paris, and this wasn't helped by the windy cold day we had. The Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees really are beautiful places if you take the time to appreciate them. As for it being the city of Love, we didn't see it... I think I really will remember it as the city of wee smell. :(
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