Posting order I know I mucked up the order, it's because I am hopeless at computer stuff, and when I saved my postings they stopped being visible so I had to republish after I got around to adding some photos.
Confused and bewildered!
On ya mate! Wow it sounds like you are having a brilliant time with the right mix of fun and relaxation! Looking forward to catching up when you get back :)
Very odd order of postings I think I have already commented on your Wales visit but today the Paris ones were all interspersed. No matter the general idea of fun and enjoyment is clear and it is good to see the occasional posting from James. He is clearly having a memorable time.
Love to you both
James looks replete. Think I might have lost the comment I started, or you might be lucky and get two for the same posting. You have obviously captured the magic that is Paris. Wandering, eating and drinking and just soaking up the ambience.
You'll be back there one day for sure.
Ah Paris! Drool You folk are obviously having a good time. 'twill be over all too soon.
Your comment about humour having a cultural bias is so true. Dont' imagine Billy T. James would go down all that well in Paris.
Hugs
Have a great time in Cardiff and enjoy the good weather while you can. Weather here has been truly foul for at least two weeks. Lots of snow on the hills around. Road closures in the central NI. Hail and wind here. Nasty. We both went to a farewell dinner for discoverylover on Friday night at Wagamama, an Asian Fusion restaurant on Queens Wharf. Very interesting food. DL left here on Saturday and should be in the US by now.
"I do like Parisians" good to see you are enjoying Paris and the Parisians. You are fortunate to have seen Andy Roddick (even though he was not happy!) - did you beg his autograph? I made a special trip to Paris in 2004 just to see the French Open.
I loved the local markets and I did buy some beautiful old postcards which I have always meant to frame ....
Don't forget to visit Pere La Chaise and Oscar Wilde for me!
NZ conventions are the best! So sorry to hear about your disastrous Parisian bookcrossing adventure. After all your excitement and building your trip around it; what a fizzer for you. I know us folk in the Southern Hemisphere seem to look out for each other at conventions and manage to have fun too! Hope the rest of your trip is fun.
regards
meganh
I've partly enjoyed, partly commiserated, and totally understood some of your frustrations in these last two entries.
There are no two ways about it - the French are different!! There is nothing normal or usual, about them, and and definitely nothing Kiwi about them.
Time for James to write an entry with his impressions. They may well be different from yours.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your time in gay Paree.
You are missing quite atrocious weather here. 4 degrees this evening as we drove home from a genealogical meeting!
Missing you.
Tourism and Wellbeing An interesting observation. For myself, I love travelling, seeing new places, meeting new people. Some of the happiest times of my life have been when I'm exploring a new city.
I love Paris. A fantastic place. Admittedly, I've never been there when it sizzles or drizzles. Cool and comfortable printemps both trips.
I agree about the Mona Lisa - what on earth is the point of coming all that way for a look at a small painting behind glass from a distance of several metres? All those schoolkids in the crush holding up their cellphones to take a picture - what a waste! A book or even an internet guide will have a far better picture than what you can take yourself, and from where you stand, it's impossible to examine details.
The building itself I liked. The paintings for the most part weren't my cup of tea. Some of the sculpture, notably the Venus de Milo and Winged Victory, was a thrill.
Oh happy days! Love the photo of James in awe.
Don't knock McDonalds - the food is exactly what you expect BUT anywhere in the world you can guarantee a free clean lavatory, and these days they also have free Wifi.
Hope Paris is living up to expectations.
I love going to the National Gallery especially because there are a couple of portraits there by ancestors of mine, but really because the other portraits are truly wonderful. Even if I can only spare a few moments I will always drop by for a while.
Lost in wanderland So glad I'm not the only one to have had difficulty finding the Camel and Artichoke. I think I hit Battersea before turning around and going through a maze of dreadful little streets.
But worth it when I got there, to enjoy the company of other BookCrossers.
Good pub grub too, even if the signature dish was off that night.
Bustling London Love the big double-deckers. The Tube might be quicker, but for sight-seeing, hopping on a bus is the way to go, especially if tou get the front seat on the top deck.
National Gallery, apart from the bustle and colour of Trafalgar Square, has a truly magnificent collection, better IMHO than that of the Louvre.
Skyring
non-member comment
Thanks for a great blog - it was fun just reading it!