The France posts will be a multi-part posted as I get time to throw the pictures up. They definitely compromise the Coles Notes version!
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On Sunday I arrived in Paris, getting off the Ryanair bus at Port Maillot. Deciding to walk was an interesting idea since I had little idea of the direction in which I was pointed – so I made a guess. I guessed wrong. Not totally wrong, but a little bit. Instead of walking about 4 km, I probably walked 8-10.
As a result, I wandered through a park and the first Parisian I talked to was a prostitute that came up to offer her services. I politely declined then continued my way through the park which I later discovered came with a reputation which would explain the old man and young lady who I saw entering some kind of jerry-rigged triangular sheet structure. I thought it best not to take a picture.
I made it to the hostel then grabbed some food and a bottle of wine – returning to the hostel to write and enjoy a class of France`s (definitely not best), the writing part of the plan was abandoned when some hostel employees explained they were headed to La Bastille to join in the celebration of François Hollande – the socialist presidential candidate and only the second such one to be elected in France. The traffic circle around La Bastille was packed with people and it was hard to move about, a man was dancing on top of a road sign about 3 metres in the air, and the crowd had scaled over the pointed metal fencing surrounding La Bastille to mount it. Hollande was in the square and was rebroadcast on a large screen so most could see. The celebrations continued for a few hours, then I spent about two hours finding my way back to the hostel – many kilometres using only the maps at bus stops as a guide.
I arrived home late then had a slower day on Monday, although I did run. I spent the arranging the trip to Chernobyl and doing some housekeeping items. In the evening I went with some Canadians from the hostel to the Eiffel Tour, climbed the tour (but being compelled to use an elevator for the upper tier), and consumed some wine in a gross field below the tour amongst many others. Apparently alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed there – but it is clearly a rule few follow; we heard about it only from a police officer as we left, despite the police having earlier walked circles around the whole area…
On Tuesday I went to te Sacre Coeur and saw the view from its dome as well as the crypt below the church. I think went to visit The Catacombs – which were closed for Victory in Europe Day (May 8). Instead, I wandered through the Luxembourg Gardens (which had wind driven sail boats that would be redirected by kids with sticks!) before viewing a few churches, walking around the Louvre (also closed), and past the Church of Notre Dame. I bought a crepe before the church and some ice cream after, then headed to the hostel to cook and book a car for my Vimy Ridge trip.
