Two dear Julia’s and one dear Julie have had me curious about Paris for the longest time and being a celebratory weekend could think of no better place to go.
I jumped on the Eurostar at St Pancras after a busy day on Friday. Relaxing beforehand with a cocktail at the Champagne Bar (how stunning is the terminal?!) while chatting with a friend from Aus. Details of the conversation need not be revealed however I’m guessing that she is blushing furiously while reading this.
We arrived at Gare du Nord just after 11pm and then followed the masses out of the station having no idea where I was going but figured that surely I’d land behind someone who knew where they were going. Ended up catching a cab from the station which was a bit surreal – I think the last cab I caught was in NYC before I left, just so I could say I’d been in New York cab (for all of 3 blocks and 20 minutes).
I was very proud of myself when I arrived at the hotel – it had the whole Amelie thing going on, beautiful garden out the back, wonky stairs, quaint nooks in platforms leading off the staircase, shutter/windows that opened onto a tiny street but were also double glazed. Perfect, haphazard little place that I just seem to have a knack finding. Maybe not the kind of place I could recommend work sell in Paris but hey, it was very Meredith. I wandered the streets for awhile, getting those shuddery giggles I get when I’m too carried away and then off to bed.
My weekend starts with gloomy, grey, overcast Paris and finishes with Meredith wind/sunburnt (I manage this everywhere I go).
The Louvre was stunning but how could it possibly not be? I was in within 5 minutes and spent a couple of hours wandering the Denon wing (one of three wings) and saw a smidgen of it. How people go and “see the Louvre” in a day is beyond me. You’d need several breaks, especially from the crowds (we all know that I’m not a crowd person). The ceilings in this place are amazing and chatting with one of the guard dudes turns out he had work at the Vatican museum before moving to the Louvre. Imagine being surrounded by such beautiful things all day, I wonder if it would affect their perception of them.
The Notre Dame was a challenge. I’ve taken to lighting a candle for Geoff in a church in every city I go as it’s his fault that I’m off traipsing the world (well, Europe at the very least) and could think of no better place to do so in Paris. I couldn’t get out of the place fast enough, I got my candles, wandered around, found my perfect spot and just sat and watched and listened and talked. Then it just all became a little too much and had to get out – I blame it on the incense :P
My third major stop of the weekend was of course the Old Lady herself – the Eiffel Tower. Now, you guys will laugh hearing how damn determined I was to get to the top, I was not leaving Paris without going to the top. Well, I left Paris without going to the top. I’m sure I’ve shared the story of me on the rollercoaster’s before so I don’t need to go back there but I must apologise to the girlfriend of the guy I grabbed. I really, really didn’t mean it and I’m sure the fact that I was shaking like a leaf and pale as a ghost must have given you an indication that I wasn’t trying to lure him away. I made it to the second level and had to move around holding onto everything. I’m sure the words “please don’t collapse, I’d rather be in a snake pit than here” gives some indication as to how bloody terrified I was!
Jack had a wonderful time though, especially at the Eiffel Tower. There was a little boy ahead of me in the line who squealed with delight the first time he heard him, was the funniest little thing. A lady in the Louvre also recognised him as a Tasmanian Devil (my proudest moment) and he had his photo take with a man in uniform (and with a gun bigger than in any of the US airports I’ve been to).
I wasn’t disappointed with Paris, not by a long shot but I didn’t leave thinking “wow, I never want to leave”. For the most part I wanted to be home, surrounded by things that I know and my friends. And much more of a desire to be in London that Hobart as much as I miss my beautiful little city.
And finally, my apologies for terrible spelling. Catching up with a mate last night makes my brain a bit slow to work today and spelling errors are the last of my problems!
Miss you all, not homesick but wishing you were here and sharing this with me xx
*photos to come when I've found my cable which could be absolutley anywhere.
