On the train back from Paris, I made a calendar of my last few days in the ancient city. With things ranging from things that I have done multiple times to things that I have never seen, the last few days were a time of reflection of my time in London and on the city itself.
I went back to my my favourite eateries (Double Js) and pubs (Fitzroy Tavern) and the best market of them all (Borough Market). I even finished up my Xmas shopping there getting things for my cousins and other family members. Although I thought I was going to be there by myself for three or so days, I was wrong. Dale got back from his ski trip in the Italian Alps and a few other people got back from their trips through Europe.
On our last Saturday in London, we all went out one more time, first to a proper Indian restaurant then the local pub hangout (the court). Event though I ate too much ate the restaurant to only have two pints, I enjoyed the last few hours of socializing in a pub. It was a fun day and night.
The last two days consisted of packing, walking and going to museums one more time. It was a time of reflection for me taking in everything I could before I went home.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Paris, Round 2
Ed. Note: Sorry for the lack of pictures. I am busy moving in to my new place and did not have time to add them in. If you have any requests, just let me know.
With more than a week between my flight home and the end of my classes, I decided to go back to Paris. Why Paris you may ask. You went there already; there is the rest of Europe to go see! Well, going to a city as lively and as famous as Paris again I figured was worth it. I mean I didn’t even go see the Louvre. So I said what the hell, why not, I speak French, or at least try to. Unlike my last few trips to the continent, I would be traveling and staying by myself. It would be a little rough, but I thought I could manage and I did. Although I said I was not traveling with anyone or staying with anyone I knew, I did know of two people who would be in the City of Love for the two days I would be there: Laura (Rachel’s friend from home) and Phillipe (my friend from Penn who was visiting his family while he was there).
Day One
Unfortunately, the first day wasn’t too fun as I was not feeling to well and could not enjoy my first meal in the greatness of French food. When I arrived at Gare du Nord I met up with Laura at her program’s centre/center a few stops away on the metro. I made it there safely and without any difficulty while successfully using my French to navigate around. After meeting her we went to the Champs Elysee were we go grab some lunch. However, I did not each too much as I said previously, I was not feeling too well. After “eating,” Laura went back to her centre/center to study while she left me to explore. I would end up climbing the 150+ stairs of the Arc de Triumph then walk down the Champs d’Elysee to Musee d’Orsay. It was quite a long walk but I made it.
Once I finished with the Musee d’Orsay, it was time to check into my hostel up in Montmartre. I took the metro up there and eventually found the place after about 20 minutes of searching. Also, Phillipe ended up calling me at the museum and we decided to meet up near me once I checked in. We ended up getting dinner at Painter’s Square and then walking down to the Moulin Rouge to see what all the hub-bub was about. Nothing special, just a wind mill. I don’t see the big deal, atleast from the outside it didn’t look too exciting.
Once checking out the neighbourhood and observing all the other shops, I went to go meet up with Laura at some bar near the Bastille while Phillipe went to go meet up with his cousins with which he was staying with. At this point, I was feeling much better, but rather tired as I had to wake up at 5:30 to catch my 6:50 flight. Around midnight I decided to call it a night and head back.
Day 2
The next day I was off to the check out the Sacre Coeur, which was just a few minutes walk from my hostel. Once I was done checking out the pretty famous church I made my way down the hill and into the heart of the city. Unfortunately, the days that I choose to be in Paris were not the best; it was a miserable 45 degrees and slight, but annoying drizzle. Besides that fact, I pushed through and walked. And when I say walk, I mean I walked. I probably ended up walking 4 or 5 miles that day in total, but back towards day 2.
After the hill, I made my way back towards the Moulin Rouge to see it during the day. On my way, I saw the Chat Noir, a pretty famous café where the bohemians, e.g. Henri de Toulouse Lautrec during the 19th Century made popular. Since I hadn’t eaten yet that day, I decided to have breakfast at the famous café. This is where my French was truly tested. I ordered a cappuccino (easy) and a croissant (not so easy). Apparently, its cr-wa-sont, not cr-ois-ant. Anyway, I got what I wanted and walked some more, now towards the opera district and Seine. I should also point out that my phone was not working that day, since I was unable to receive calls and/or dial out. This put a little damper on me meeting up with Phillippe at the Louvre as we did not make any pre-arranged plans before I left him the day before. I decided to just to make the best of it and walk around the city while avoiding the gypses and homeless. I made a little loop around the Musee d’Orsay and Notre Dame, while ending up at the Louvre.
I spent the rest of my time there (4 hours) seeing all the things that I would not have seen if I did not make the trip.
After the Louvre, I decided to just go to go to Laura’s centre/center to see if she was there and if not use there phone to call her. Luckily, she was there and we ended up having dinner out at this bistro where I got steak frites. Then, I was off to Gard du Nord and back to London for the last few days of my study abroad.
With more than a week between my flight home and the end of my classes, I decided to go back to Paris. Why Paris you may ask. You went there already; there is the rest of Europe to go see! Well, going to a city as lively and as famous as Paris again I figured was worth it. I mean I didn’t even go see the Louvre. So I said what the hell, why not, I speak French, or at least try to. Unlike my last few trips to the continent, I would be traveling and staying by myself. It would be a little rough, but I thought I could manage and I did. Although I said I was not traveling with anyone or staying with anyone I knew, I did know of two people who would be in the City of Love for the two days I would be there: Laura (Rachel’s friend from home) and Phillipe (my friend from Penn who was visiting his family while he was there).
Day One
Unfortunately, the first day wasn’t too fun as I was not feeling to well and could not enjoy my first meal in the greatness of French food. When I arrived at Gare du Nord I met up with Laura at her program’s centre/center a few stops away on the metro. I made it there safely and without any difficulty while successfully using my French to navigate around. After meeting her we went to the Champs Elysee were we go grab some lunch. However, I did not each too much as I said previously, I was not feeling too well. After “eating,” Laura went back to her centre/center to study while she left me to explore. I would end up climbing the 150+ stairs of the Arc de Triumph then walk down the Champs d’Elysee to Musee d’Orsay. It was quite a long walk but I made it.
Once I finished with the Musee d’Orsay, it was time to check into my hostel up in Montmartre. I took the metro up there and eventually found the place after about 20 minutes of searching. Also, Phillipe ended up calling me at the museum and we decided to meet up near me once I checked in. We ended up getting dinner at Painter’s Square and then walking down to the Moulin Rouge to see what all the hub-bub was about. Nothing special, just a wind mill. I don’t see the big deal, atleast from the outside it didn’t look too exciting.
Once checking out the neighbourhood and observing all the other shops, I went to go meet up with Laura at some bar near the Bastille while Phillipe went to go meet up with his cousins with which he was staying with. At this point, I was feeling much better, but rather tired as I had to wake up at 5:30 to catch my 6:50 flight. Around midnight I decided to call it a night and head back.
Day 2
The next day I was off to the check out the Sacre Coeur, which was just a few minutes walk from my hostel. Once I was done checking out the pretty famous church I made my way down the hill and into the heart of the city. Unfortunately, the days that I choose to be in Paris were not the best; it was a miserable 45 degrees and slight, but annoying drizzle. Besides that fact, I pushed through and walked. And when I say walk, I mean I walked. I probably ended up walking 4 or 5 miles that day in total, but back towards day 2.
After the hill, I made my way back towards the Moulin Rouge to see it during the day. On my way, I saw the Chat Noir, a pretty famous café where the bohemians, e.g. Henri de Toulouse Lautrec during the 19th Century made popular. Since I hadn’t eaten yet that day, I decided to have breakfast at the famous café. This is where my French was truly tested. I ordered a cappuccino (easy) and a croissant (not so easy). Apparently, its cr-wa-sont, not cr-ois-ant. Anyway, I got what I wanted and walked some more, now towards the opera district and Seine. I should also point out that my phone was not working that day, since I was unable to receive calls and/or dial out. This put a little damper on me meeting up with Phillippe at the Louvre as we did not make any pre-arranged plans before I left him the day before. I decided to just to make the best of it and walk around the city while avoiding the gypses and homeless. I made a little loop around the Musee d’Orsay and Notre Dame, while ending up at the Louvre.
I spent the rest of my time there (4 hours) seeing all the things that I would not have seen if I did not make the trip.
After the Louvre, I decided to just go to go to Laura’s centre/center to see if she was there and if not use there phone to call her. Luckily, she was there and we ended up having dinner out at this bistro where I got steak frites. Then, I was off to Gard du Nord and back to London for the last few days of my study abroad.
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