So today we met our tour group which war rather hilarious... we're the youngest by a few decades... with that said Tori and I find that preferable. The tour is at a relaxing pace and most of the older folk are very sweet! We spent today visiting the palace of Versailles. Wow. It was the most breathtaking experience yet. I can't describe it in a way that will do it justice, you'll just have to wait for the photos. My favorite room was that of Queen Marie Antoinette. As well as beautiful, it was fascinating. One of the most bizarre things we were told by out guide was that the reason that the King and Queen slept in separate chambers was so that the public could keep tabs on when they were sleeping together, so as to be sure that all babies belonged to the King. We were told that there was a man who worked in the palace whose job it was to take this particular special cushion to the queen when the king wanted to visit her. The cushion would be left out side the room to indicate that the king and queen were sharing a bed that night.
I would say more but this French keyboard is frustrating me to no end.
Having a ball. Missing everyone.
M.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Hop on hop off, the Glory of Napoleon and the Louvre
Today we were tourists through and through...
Our day began with a ride atop a large, red, roof-less bus which took us in a circuit around Paris. The weather was perfect...blue skys and the sun was shining. We both felt perfectly content as we gaped at the beauty and splendor around us, the cities monuments seem to pay a constant homage to their beloved Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, however we were not complaining as each one was more resplendent and breathtaking than the last.
Next stop was the Louvre where we walked among the works of Monet, Rembrandt, Botticelli and most famously Da Vinci. We saw the Mona Lisa of course, but only from afar as she was heavily guarded...bullet proof glass and not one but three barriers...however it was worth the search it took to find her in the great expanse that is the Louvre, she is indeed a beauty.
I think that the feeling is unanimous between both Melissa and I that yesterday was our best day yet, we were in awe the entire time...
V.
Our day began with a ride atop a large, red, roof-less bus which took us in a circuit around Paris. The weather was perfect...blue skys and the sun was shining. We both felt perfectly content as we gaped at the beauty and splendor around us, the cities monuments seem to pay a constant homage to their beloved Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, however we were not complaining as each one was more resplendent and breathtaking than the last.
Next stop was the Louvre where we walked among the works of Monet, Rembrandt, Botticelli and most famously Da Vinci. We saw the Mona Lisa of course, but only from afar as she was heavily guarded...bullet proof glass and not one but three barriers...however it was worth the search it took to find her in the great expanse that is the Louvre, she is indeed a beauty.
I think that the feeling is unanimous between both Melissa and I that yesterday was our best day yet, we were in awe the entire time...
V.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Photos...
I still haven't come across anywhere that develops film over here so we may have to wait till London to get some images up here.
Ink.
Today was amazing. The best had so far. No creeps, just boutiques, Amelie's cafe and a great Frenchy tatouages. This wonderful long-haired Frenchman and I drew up a birdcage design that was better than I could have imagined. I'm really happy with it. Yes, it hurt, but I was surprised at how bearable it was. sore, but not that bad.
Good, good day.
M.
Good, good day.
M.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Comings and goings in France
Somehow I thought that Paris would be more... Liberating... or something. I am definitely enjoying myself, don't get me wrong, but there have been no epiphanies, no breath of fresh air as such. I guess I had expected this city to have a kind of soul. Alas, it is just a place, as any other place. A very pretty place, historic place, famous place, but just a place all the same. and I am still me, very in love with Melbourne. Weirdly enough I think actually being here has killed the love affair between myself and France.
It is glorious to just look at, but I feel as if its beauty has been eclipsed by the poor quality of many of the people who live in the city.
Yesterday as we were waiting at a pedestrian crossing we were approached by a young man on a bicycle, who began asking us for directions. We told him that we didn't speak French after which he switched to English and began telling me to leave Tori and to go with him to a cafe. After fervently declining he lent over his bike, kissed my cheek, groped my chest and sped away before I had the time to comprehend what the hell was going on.
I suppose in hindsight it is kind of humerus but at the time it was utterly mortifying... Fittingly it occurred out front of the Moulin Rouge.
In addition to him , so many of the men here stare, relentlessly, and without any shame. Then there are the hecklers, although I had expected them.
We also had a very obscure encounter with two seemingly deaf dumb people who were trying for donations. We just apologised over and over as we pushed our way past, feeling rather awful about our not being able to help out, until after twenty meters from them we turned to see and hear them talking to one another.
So, Tori and I are finding it hard to tell the good folk from the dodgy, as ostensibly they all seem rather normal.
Bad encounters aside we were assisted by this beautifully awkward young man at the supermarket. The cashier would not serve us as we had not weighed our grapes, however our lack of French left us with no clue as to why he would not serve us. Back home, they weigh fruit for you! Anyway, then the beautifully awkward chap trekked him was though the store and weighed them for us. It made my day.
The Eiffel tower wasn't too busy which was a plus, and we managed to attach ourselves to a rather sizable group of German tourists which effectively made us less auspicious to the hecklers. I'll keep reiterating this as I feel it is necessary, Paris is beautiful. When you're up high looking down on it and no one is grabbing you or trying to sell you something you can really appreciate it.
We absolutely adore our hostel! Out in the streets of Paris I never feel quite comfortable, so to have a little "home" is very refreshing.
To add to it's wonder, at the end of our street is the park with the carousel and the viewfinders from Amelie. Very happy about this.
In fact, we love Montmarte so much that we're not even venturing into Paris today.
Unfortunately everything is very expensive over here, apart from croissants which are 80c. It's a shame as I had planned on buying you all something beautiful, but I am afraid key chains will have to do. I need to eat.
M.
Ps. Trent, there was no Royal with Cheese. There was a Royal with Bacon, but we opted for Le Big Mac and Le Big Tasty. Australia should get on to this Big Tasty. It really was big and tasty.
Pps. We both can't wait to begin touring. I don't think we're cut out to be solo travellers.
It is glorious to just look at, but I feel as if its beauty has been eclipsed by the poor quality of many of the people who live in the city.
Yesterday as we were waiting at a pedestrian crossing we were approached by a young man on a bicycle, who began asking us for directions. We told him that we didn't speak French after which he switched to English and began telling me to leave Tori and to go with him to a cafe. After fervently declining he lent over his bike, kissed my cheek, groped my chest and sped away before I had the time to comprehend what the hell was going on.
I suppose in hindsight it is kind of humerus but at the time it was utterly mortifying... Fittingly it occurred out front of the Moulin Rouge.
In addition to him , so many of the men here stare, relentlessly, and without any shame. Then there are the hecklers, although I had expected them.
We also had a very obscure encounter with two seemingly deaf dumb people who were trying for donations. We just apologised over and over as we pushed our way past, feeling rather awful about our not being able to help out, until after twenty meters from them we turned to see and hear them talking to one another.
So, Tori and I are finding it hard to tell the good folk from the dodgy, as ostensibly they all seem rather normal.
Bad encounters aside we were assisted by this beautifully awkward young man at the supermarket. The cashier would not serve us as we had not weighed our grapes, however our lack of French left us with no clue as to why he would not serve us. Back home, they weigh fruit for you! Anyway, then the beautifully awkward chap trekked him was though the store and weighed them for us. It made my day.
The Eiffel tower wasn't too busy which was a plus, and we managed to attach ourselves to a rather sizable group of German tourists which effectively made us less auspicious to the hecklers. I'll keep reiterating this as I feel it is necessary, Paris is beautiful. When you're up high looking down on it and no one is grabbing you or trying to sell you something you can really appreciate it.
We absolutely adore our hostel! Out in the streets of Paris I never feel quite comfortable, so to have a little "home" is very refreshing.
To add to it's wonder, at the end of our street is the park with the carousel and the viewfinders from Amelie. Very happy about this.
In fact, we love Montmarte so much that we're not even venturing into Paris today.
Unfortunately everything is very expensive over here, apart from croissants which are 80c. It's a shame as I had planned on buying you all something beautiful, but I am afraid key chains will have to do. I need to eat.
M.
Ps. Trent, there was no Royal with Cheese. There was a Royal with Bacon, but we opted for Le Big Mac and Le Big Tasty. Australia should get on to this Big Tasty. It really was big and tasty.
Pps. We both can't wait to begin touring. I don't think we're cut out to be solo travellers.
Monday, October 4, 2010
In the beginning...
Hmm... Let me begin by advising anyone who may be considering flying international economy with Etihad to RUN! Run in the opposite direction! The seats were not only the worst plane seats I've ever had the misfortune to sit in, but the worst seat seats period. I will quote Tori's description, "Medieval Torture Seats." To add to our suffrage, our end of the plane was absolutely freezing, as they only had heaters up the front. When we then asked a flight attendant for some form of blanket we were told, "sorry, they are reserved for first class passengers. Sufficed to say we got little to know sleep. We did however manage to counter this with seventeen straight hours sleep once we had made it to the hostel, but more on that later.
Abu Dhabi was interesting to say the least. The men push in and bump you and do not apologise... it was like we weren't visible to them. Very odd...
As Zombies we finally made it off and into the French airport where either we were so sleep deprived and pissed off at the world that we missed our transfer, or it never came.
I will parenthetically interject here, to put rest to a commonly circulated theory that the French are not a helpful people. In our case, this could not have been more incorrect. We met some absolutely lovely French people in our frantic airport escapades.
So, moving right along, we hopped a cab, and the roads!! Mum, you'd have cried. There were lanes, however they were completely disregarded, as were speed limitations and pedestrians. Picture this;
Large taxi driver, no knowledge what so ever of English, phone in one hand, dripping corn cob in the other, beeping at pedestrians (not slowing for them) and swirving around from lane to lane as if blinkers and other cars were not of existence.
As we did not die however, I can now say that it was very very fun, so no harm done.
Our hostel is in Mortmartre and so for the rest of our day we will be exploring the bohemian centre of Paris. I also plan to get my tattoo today but that all depends on whether we can find an artist who speaks English.
Our street, the Rue D'Orsel is, as most streets in Paris are, cobble stoned, with exquisite buildings and haberdasheries as far as the eye can see. I wish I weer a quilt maker in this moment. I'd be on cloud nine.
It truly is beautiful. They all say this, but really, it is. As I stand looking out my window I am already planning my return, so Trent, start saving my love.
Abu Dhabi was interesting to say the least. The men push in and bump you and do not apologise... it was like we weren't visible to them. Very odd...
As Zombies we finally made it off and into the French airport where either we were so sleep deprived and pissed off at the world that we missed our transfer, or it never came.
I will parenthetically interject here, to put rest to a commonly circulated theory that the French are not a helpful people. In our case, this could not have been more incorrect. We met some absolutely lovely French people in our frantic airport escapades.
So, moving right along, we hopped a cab, and the roads!! Mum, you'd have cried. There were lanes, however they were completely disregarded, as were speed limitations and pedestrians. Picture this;
Large taxi driver, no knowledge what so ever of English, phone in one hand, dripping corn cob in the other, beeping at pedestrians (not slowing for them) and swirving around from lane to lane as if blinkers and other cars were not of existence.
As we did not die however, I can now say that it was very very fun, so no harm done.
Our hostel is in Mortmartre and so for the rest of our day we will be exploring the bohemian centre of Paris. I also plan to get my tattoo today but that all depends on whether we can find an artist who speaks English.
Our street, the Rue D'Orsel is, as most streets in Paris are, cobble stoned, with exquisite buildings and haberdasheries as far as the eye can see. I wish I weer a quilt maker in this moment. I'd be on cloud nine.
It truly is beautiful. They all say this, but really, it is. As I stand looking out my window I am already planning my return, so Trent, start saving my love.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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