Au Revoir Paris!

Bonjour!

I have finally discovered a way to upload photos!

yay!

It turns out that the hostel computers had a memory card reader the whole time -- but the stupid computer won't let me upload them all at once, so a few will have to suffice for now.

The Egyption Obelisk

Unfortunately, i am all alone now. Katy has returned to London with a massive list of things to do before she boards a flight for Australie. But still, our adventure continues. Much has happened during the last few days, but it was all trumped by a trip to the eiffel tower. I feel so dirty writing that... i mean, it's just so... touristy... but it really was amazing to admire the sparkling view from the cold, windy peak. We went at night which meant we bypassed nearly all the ques (cues ... i can't figure out how to spell that... no combinations look right!!) It was a breathtaking sight. The streets became rivers of light and France's ancient sights, particularly the Arc de Triomphe looked tiny (although just as impressive) from 300 metres. Katy could barely stomach the top for more than a few minutes (i remember saying: 'You're such a woman' and she, looking outraged, said 'No i'm not!) but despite the freezing wind, i felt obliged to stay up top and soak up the sight.

Pretty amazing hey. These photo's just don't do it justice.

Paris has so much character - such a different feel to London. The old school metro is always packed, not just with people going to and from work, but performers - we watched some guy rap and dance around our carriage. Way more interesting their London counterparts! The only tradeoff is that you get these old women walking around, with their arms outstretched, chanting 'J'ai tres faim. Sil vous plait'. Similarly, the streets are full of life. Katy and I were just walking around and we walked straight into a scene from high quality movies like 'step up', 'step up 2' ...
Basically some guys having a 'break-off'.

Sorry about the bad filming... it's really hard to film and watch at the same time!

Who could forget the Moulin Rouge.

The Lourve was amazing. It is just absolutely massive.
I still can't decide whether i like the pyramids though.

And although we were largely ignored in London, the people here always seem to be ready to take advantage of naive tourists - and while it can be annoying, it can also be funny when its not your wrist being tied with string. Unfortunately, too often it was my wrist which was being literally and metaphorically tied - katy and I went to visit the Arc de Triomphe and this woman, obviously seeing my wide-eyed expression from a mile off, ran up to me and started tying and braiding string around my wrist. I didn't realise at the time that she expected me to PAY for it. So i got a little shock when, at its completion, she demanded 20 Euro. I couldn't help but laugh 'I'm a student! I can't afford that type of money!'. She relented - 'Okay, okay' she said in a heavy accent 'i give you special discount... 10 Euro'. In the end i did have a good talk to her - apparently she has a debt of 2000 Euro's and no job, so the only way she can survive is by ambushing tourists - i ended up giving her 2. WAAAY more then she deserved. Katy also was suckered - although by choice. It turns out she'll do anything for a dog and so she couldn't go passed a dog carrying a basket. 'A basket!' So she gave the dog (not the man she tried to justify) 2 Euro. We could have bought a sucre crepe with that!! haha!

Katy and her 2 Euro Chien.

The Arc de Triomphe

My internet time was juuuuuust about to run out then, but i was offered an internet pass by some attractive girls who were sadly leaving (couldn't let nathan have all the fun!)

Anyway, where was i? I have also been trying to practice my terrible French here, and despite the unhelpful person or deux, everyone has been so nice. The 'arrogant' French myth has been well and truly busted. I didn't have to say much at all - just something simple like Nous voudrons avoir (we would like to have...) or puis-je avoir/voir/mange (can i have/see/eat) and people would look at us in surprise before replying in French - at this point i would need them to say it again (pardon, mais pouvez vous repetez sil vous plait) or say more slowly (pouvez vous dit lentement, sil vous plait). Most of the time they would take one look the confusion evident on my face and just repeat in English! hah!

The inside of Notre Dame.

Anyway, i can't wait to return. There is so much that i didn't even get to describe. So you just got my impressions and what came to me as i sat to write this. New Years here will be fantastic though, that much i know for sure.

It's Christmas! Noël!

Today i head off to Bordeaux. I'm staying with a French family (they seem really nice), hopefully to learn a little bit more. But whether it's a success or not, it still should be fun.

Missing you all every now and again!

Nick