Writing from a Parisienne cafe using their free wifi! Times have certainly changed since Mum and Dad did this! On Contiki Time now, second day in Paris. First glimpse of the Eiffel Tower yesterday ... a little embarrassed to admit it didn't really register at first. I was like "I've seen this before"! But as dusk fell and the sky turned dark the tower lit up like a Christmas tree and it was spectacular - very different from the familiar postcard version. (We're climbing the Tower tonight and having a taste of escargot - if I survive both I'll let you know how it goes!)
My first official French meal was French Fries!!! from a service station. But my second was a savoury crepe, much better. Went to Versailles this morning and toured the palace - velvet carpeting on the walls, moulded ceilings which make our place pale in comparison, fluffy feathers on everything and gardens like in Alice in Wonderland. Am getting used to the crowds too...
Contiki Village where we;re staying is TINY. Four to a cabin the size of half our loungroom at home (no joke!). Nice group (although I feel ancient at 23 sharing a room with two other 19 year olds lol) and fitting a lot in. Toured the city by night last night and also saw the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dam and a few other things all lit up. Went to the Louvre properly this avo and saw the obligatory Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Again a bit hard to actually reconcile that its the REAL one, not a postcard or something. But certainly powering through "the list" :P
Last day in Paris tomorrow - French bistro dinner and cabaret show at night :)
Observations: Am busting out a bit of the Year 12 French while here - ordering, reading signs etc. It really is true, the French are pretty grumpy with English until you give French a go and then they soften.
Mistakes: for every French word I get right there's one I get wrong!
No comments:
Post a Comment