IF I HAD FEELINGS FOR A PASTRY, THIS WOULD BE THE ONE -
PHOTO CRED: www.times.co.uk
On my third day, I wasted the best part of an hour out of the way and all so that I could savour a pain au chocolat from the patisserie mecca at Eric Kayser. It's purported to be the breakfast spot of the French. I chose wisely and pretentiously as the pastry was perfectly flaky and the chips o'choc melted on the tongue; my compliments to the baker.
Striking bouquets, buds and shrubs attract many a passer-by to the Marche aux fleurs et aux oiseaux. This is one of the oldest, open air markets in the world since 1808 in fact. A friendly Filipino fella took so many pics for me amongst the fleurs it was almost a mini photoshoot. Promenading the city's nobbly-bobbly underfoot cobblestoned rues and olde worlde passages gave me whimsical feels.
There was a bit of a queue to get in Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic style royal chapel within the walls of a Medieval palace. The low levels are dimly lit, leading up a narrow, stone staircase to the designated UNESCO world heritage site. Sainte-Chapelle's stained glass windows are out of this world and an attraction in their own right that tourists flock to gaze upon. I was stupefied with wonderment at the 50ft kaleidoscopic, fantastical scenes from the Old and New Testament.
River Seine looked splendid in the most romantic city around. It could never become unappealing to anyone #FACT Pont des Arts, the former love lock bridge had 45 tons of padlocks removed which were dangerously weighing the bridge down. I hoorayed for the accordionist on the bridge who played stereotypical French musique. It's my charming fantasy of a classic, romantical stroll around the French capital.
In Jardin des Tuileries, I wished I had a picnic to sit amidst the city-dwelling socialites and cosmopolitan yuppies in these resplendent, landscaped gardens. The biggest park in Paris is a gorgeous site to bask in sunshine and commune with nature. I put my feet up at the reflection pond for lazing is more my speed than sketching the nude sculptures. Thankfully, my eyes weren't affected the same way they were in Luxembourg Gardens, in these 25 hectares.
Place de la Concorde is an octagonal square bursting with French history as several notable French figures were guillotined here like Louis XVI. The opulence of the Tritan water fountain is redonk! All the expensive designer stores can be found in Place Vendrome, where I was a fish out of water dallying with snobs above my rank and station!! :D The composer Chopin died here and Coco Chanel was once a resident in this square.
Late afternoon, after a jaunt around Fontaine Louvois and Galerie Vivienne, I returned to rest at the hostel as :my feet were THROBBING, my left big toe was rubbing and bleeding, my neck and above each elbow were sunburnt and my back was repeatedly seizing up and locking. Basically, I was a hot mess and my body ain't as young as it used to be. I met Karley from Baltimore and Tiffany from Vancouver in Canada, who were studying in Sweden and invited myself out with them that night. They were kind enough to let an oldie tag along with them for a long 90 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and for a late dinner at the half way mark.
We dined at Café la Dauphine on the left bank of the river, which was recommended when Karley did a Yelp search. You can't go wrong with chicken, chips and salad, can you? My large portion of tucker was cooked to perfection but the salad isn't anything to brag about. The riverbanks were buzzing with people eating, drinking and romancing. Why is nearly everyone here soooOOOOO in love?! Haaa!
After the sunlight departed, we had the *ultimate* Parisian encounter as we got fairly close underneath the Eiffel Tower for the twinkling five minute display. Ol' Eiffel slapped us in the face as it was hidden by trees when following the pathway and then it suddenly sprang up and we were under its huge derriere. The glitterings were totally lovely and dazzling, sending me nutso as I swayed underneath. The golden beacon would've only been cooler if the illuminations sparkled in rainbow as well. It was all excessively surreal as the three of us oohed and aaahed appropriately, videoing and photographing what might be the prettiest tower I've ever seen at night.
Our bus back didn't show up. We sat there like lemons until an American informed us that they'd translated the sign and the stop was closed due to diversions. We then decided to take the RER to the Inn but that was closed off, so we had no choice but to walk all that way again or take an uber back. Karley found an inexpensive one for the three of us to split which drove us in comfort and safety, allowing us to see more of the city alight. As usual, Paris turned on the charm. I was so grateful for the girls company as we had such a fun time taking in the spectacle. Laying in bed, my right knee was exceedingly painful and couldn't bend where it had been overworked more than maybe ever before. I'd walked 18.4 miles and taken 48,646 steps which is likely a personal best in one day for me. I vowed to use the metro more the next day so my innocent victim feet would hate me less.
The following morn, my flan from Cyril de lignac, had my taste buds dancing. Believe you me, your lips will thank me BEAUCOUP!! It was not until after I'd devoured this, that I saw I'd been sitting on a horribly bird-pooped bench. After which, I came upon the memorial for Princess Diana at the Flame of Liberty, near where the paps crashed into the car she was riding in, which ultimately killed her. Flowers and photos commemorate the short life of our dearest Princess of Wales. She was only four years older than me at her death :( I took time to pay my respects, knowing that her son Harry's wedding was right around the corner and that she'd have loved to have been there, beaming with pride.
I would go as far to say that the horrendous queuing at the Eiffel Tower was a special sort of torture. It was a 40 minute wait just to get through security, then 80 minutes in the ticket line and it was a hellish experience that I wasn't enamoured with. Although, this was brought upon my self as I'd booked my trip to Paris so last minute that I was unable to pre-book an advance ticket. I was the loser standing there all alone when I needed to sit down so desperately as I was in extreme lower back pain where it kept seizing and the soles of mes pieds were SOLE-destroying.
A snail would go faster as we barely moved. I'll have haunting dreams about these hours. I had to keep sitting on the ground or barricades whenever the chance arose as I just couldn't cope with my injuries ... also, I'm not blessed with the virtue of patience. It would've been quicker to take the stairs up but in the state my body was in, I couldn't bear to face it. My feet have had a terrible few days!! Then there was 10 more minutes of waiting for the elevator up to the second floor. The lifts weren't going all the way to the top as the summit was closer for one reason or other.
The lift ascended almost 35 storeys (according to a feet to storey conversion website) uneventfully as we were packed in like sardines. These elevators hold 40 passengers and travel up and down the Iron Lady at speeds of 500ft a minute. Kinda cool to learn that they travel 103,000 kms a year which is the equivalent to going around the world 2 and a half times!! The wrought iron lattice and bronze tower is 324 metres high in total and is 'the most visited paid monument in the world.' Gustave's quintessential landmark has become the city's headliner and needs repainting every 7 years with 60 tonnes of paint to prevent it rusting.
Terrible photos were taken of me at this global, cultural icon but the sublime views dazzled me. So much so, that I was almost not mad at having queued for a significant chunk of the day. The picturesque scenescapes 377ft below stunned me into silence. I also waited agessssssss to buy a portion of chips at the café and for the toilets at the bottom too. You guessed it; I was 'thrilled' (!!) There were sporadic rainy showers off, giving off a fresh scent. Just because most humans dislike precipitation, doesn't mean it's not good. I welcomed it.
THE SWEET BONBONS DISAPPEAR -
I could not physically stay upright on my feet any longer after my Eiffel visitation and feared my feet would collapse from under me so I went back to the hostel for a rester but this meant that I had to cross off three items from my planned agenda. When I went out again, it was very chilly and windy in the early evening but I had an hour or so well spent. Beginning at Aux Merveilleux de Fred, where they create fun-sized morsels of sugary excellence. Their mini chocolat merveilleuxs are so light and dainty with an unbeatable combination of a cream centre, meringue segments and topped with choc sprinkles and nuts - inviting my mouth to pop it in.
Rue Cremieux is one of the prettiest streets in Paris and certainly one of the most colourful ones too with the private homes painted in various pastel shades. I'd SO love to live in this rue in the 12th arrondissement. On the metro home, a homeless man down on his luck was shouting with aggravation at everyone for food and/or money. It was disconcerting as he was aggressive in his manner. I wanted to help but stayed still and silent so he didn't harass me, purely as he was highly agitated.
ISN'T IT SCARY HOW YOU CAN BE IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME? -
Karley and Tiffany are the loveliest people for dinner companions. They joined me at the hostel bar Belushi's where we made the most of the 25% discount off our meals. My Cali chicken wrap and garlic bread were only 7.50 altogether and you can't go wrong at that price. So I'll eat to that! There was a Full Moon party going on around us with UV, floral leis and a mechanical bull so it got a bit lairy and rowdy - haaaaa, as I carb overloaded.
It was here that we heard there'd sadly been stabbings a little earlier that night in the Opera region, where I'd been on 2 separate occasions on two different days. We only found out as people started to message us checking that we were safe and sound. It was frightening realising that I very easily could have been there had it happened a night or two before. The attacker killed one and injured eight or more people with a knife before the police shot him dead. These incidents are becoming more NORMAL.. especially in these times of violence and terrorism that we're living in and that's not right. I spent a good hour reassuring people who love me that I was completely safe and would be cautious. It weighed heavily on my heart as I couldn't stop thinking of the friends and families of those harmed in this attack. But I refused to let anything like this, terrify me so much that I wouldn't explore more.
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