Day 23 - 18th May Paris

Day 23 – 18th May

We were able to sleep in till 8am today – was absolute bliss even though we had both woken earlier. Went down to breakfast and had to fight our way in as they had shut the separate Trafalgar room even though we were told we could go until 10am. It was quite funny, I told him he could ring the TD if he liked, but he let us in then!!!

Had brekky with Clare and Grace, then packed up ready to leave. Graeme copied all Clares photos onto a disc for her then we said our goodbyes to them – hard to say au revoir as we all feel we have known each other for ever. Grace whose real name is Grazia, is so jinxed as she always has funny things happen to her - like the day we all went to go through the hotels revolving door, except Grace went the wrong way and it jammed her in between the doors. We could see her but she couldn’t get out- was hilarious!

We have really enjoyed the people we have met on the tour, with some real characters and genuinely nice people. I wonder if we personally were a little overwhelmed with this being our first tour and one that was so full on each day but from now on it will be easy!
Got a taxi to the Hotel Leveque – a cost of €29 after being told it would be €10 by the concierge. We had an angry little, smelly taxi driver who didn’t like being questioned about the price. He didn’t speak English until he asked for the fare even though I had asked him in French if he did!! He drove like a madman through the traffic- there seem to be no road rules here.

Got to the hotel though and it is really a traditional little cobbled street in one of the two pedestrian streets in Paris- our road looks over the street- with a little balcony and french doors that open. Outside are fish markets, cheese shops and grocers selling fruit and veges. The sounds and smells are all strong and vibrant – quite different from the last hotel in the business district and nice to try something different.

We were able to get into our room straight away at 12pm even though the check in time is 3pm – we were very lucky. Dropped our gear and walked to La Fayette – the shopping area. Took about 40 mins and we passed many of the sights we had seen on the tour bus, but this was better being in the hub of it.

The weather had cleared and was hot and sunny. Got to La Fayette and OMG people, people, people. It was like Oxford St in London. It was quite overwhelming but one of those experiences you have to have. Finally found a café to stop for a drink and some lunch. Went upstairs as they had a non smoking area – only problem was all the smokers were at the bottom of the stairs and the smoke from the camel dung cigars, came straight up!!

Lunch was toasted sandwiches and chips with a coke – cost €41 !! So expensive, I will never think NZ is dear again!! But it was what we needed, so we wandered around with half of Paris. Got Sam some clothes, then we found our way to the metro. The nice man on reception at the hotel had told us the line to get on. You just look for the name of the last stop on the line and its colour, and that’s the one you get. Was easy since we had experienced the London tubes, which aren’t as well signposted.

Wandered back to the hotel, just before the rain came down!! Relaxed for a bit, then we will go and find an internet café as I need to check our easyjet flight is still on tomorrow for Pisa, Italy! Also want to post on the blogpage while I can. Internet is expensive here compared to NZ, about $20 for 3 hours on a cheap day.

Oh, that’s right, we now call the blog page a “Blob Page”as that’s what Grace was accidentally calling it the other day when she was so tired after a long day on tour!!!!!!!!!

Our impressions of France now we have been here 2 weeks –

- The French are very formal – always address you “bonjour Madam”etc when you go into stores
- The women are very small and fine boned as a rule. They dress up for everything and are always in high heels and stockings.
- There are so many French that smoke everywhere and all the time. Danni has actually got a dry smokers cough after walking around in it for 2 weeks ?!
- The dogs go with them in the shops, hotels and absolutely everywhere in between. They have a love affair with small canines.
- There are many gypsies and beggars on the streets everywhere.