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Published: July 29th 2009
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And now we find ourselves reflecting on Paris.
I was able to make the EasyJet from Glasgow to Luton easily, then a coach straight to Oxford where I met up with Lara and Jacob. Oxford, again - easily one of my favourite places, though this visit was to be quite short. I snuck in maybe an hour of sleep before we took off for a (very) early-morning delirium filled bus trip to London then the taxi to St Pancras for the EuroStar to Paris Gare de Nord.
We basically decided, with 2 days in this incredible destination, to forego that biological necessity "sleep" and to hit the town hard. 1st visit was the tourist-stocked Notre Dame, which nevertheless did not fail to impress. The climb up to the tower tops had our calves screaming by the end, with a view out across Paris. And the interior of the cathedral was undeniably impressive, and retained, oddly enough, all the sacredness and functionality of a working cathedral space despite the throngs of visitors - parishioners lighting votive candles, priests hearing confessions, and prayer in the pews.
Next stop was the Pantheon, where several notables are entombed (Braille, Voltaire, Curie, and
such company). By the time we made it back to the hotel, I was *done*, well more like my body decided it wasn't getting up again. Lights out.
The next morning I managed to rouse myself early enough to take a run along the Seine towards the Louvre with other healthy Parisians - and, contrary to your possible preconceptions, Parisians do not smoke as they run. They wait until after.
Then we hit the Louvre after breakfast. Absolutely massive, though I did feel by the end of it all that I'd managed to hit many of the highlights. Tons of Roman sculpture, the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, and countless Middle Eastern artifacts. Thoroughly enjoyable, though I do feel burdened to mention that the kind folks working at the Louvre have a bit of a control complex going on. I mean, really - making me go through security twice because I stepped a foot in the wrong direction? Making me get up off the floor when all the benches were full and I wanted a 2-minute rest? C'mon.
Then up the hill to the basilica, which, unlike Notre Dame, did not allow photography or talking within its
confines. Which actually frees one up to just enjoy the sanctity of the site and enjoy. Dinner amidst the cafes and shops below the basilica, then evening at the Eiffel Tower.
We had decided to take the stairs, and I think I was about 3 stairs up when the heavens *opened*. So back below decks we went, with about 20 of our newest, closest friends. It was a good half-hour before the rain abated, but by then I wasn't feeling so hot, so I had to sit this one out while Lara and Jacob climbed up to the 2nd level of the Tower.
Not a total loss, however, as I was able to enjoy
Cops-Paris as armed policemen chased these Africans selling cheap garbage to tourists around the park and even right through the Tower complex. The Africans weren't deterred for long, as within 10 minutes of being chased away one of these guys approached me and tried to sell me a beer out of his backpack. Hmmm.
When Lara and Jacob returned, we started hiking back to a Metro stop - the Africans were now being chased by heavily armed (emphasis on the "heavily") military police.
By the time we were back at the hotel it was nearly midnight.
Paris, to be honest, surprised me. I hadn't had a huge desire to visit Paris before now, but I found it to be a very relaxing, very fun city! I'd love to spend a few more days there at least. And it is funny, how places like Paris will live up to the stereotypes even as they defy them. There really were cafes and outdoor seating on every corner, men in striped shirts playing accordians to dining patrons, and the such.
The next morning it was to be off to London, then a *long* Tube ride to Heathrow to fly to NYC. My last stop!
-steve g
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