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Published: January 11th 2006
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With the need to really just get out of London for a bit over the festive season, the decision was made to head through to Europe with the hope of the increased chance of seeing snow falling. Accompanying me was one of my house mates Kristy, a 20 year old Sydney-sider who arrived in London within a couple weeks of my arrival in mid September. The plan was to head to Paris for Christmas, through Germany and up to Copenhagen for New Years and a night in Amsterdam on the way back. I have previously visited Amsterdam and Paris and a couple cities in Germany on a Contiki tour in the (northern) Summer of 2004 so it was great to have the opportunity to see the places again and independantly.
We landed in Paris early afternoon on the 23rd of December and our adventures started from the beggining. After being seated next to Roberto, from Rio de Janeiro who also knew a little French (which came in very handy when we first jumped off the plane!) we swapped details so I had a contact in Rio when i land there in a few months time and were offered an invitation
to have drinks on Christmas Eve with him, his sister Fernanda and a few friends, which we took up since not knowing another soul in Paris!
In Paris, we were staying at the Hotel Andre Gill, a 2 star hotel located in a side street within easy walking distance from the Moulin Rouge and very close to the metro system, so getting around the city was made easy. After settling in, we headed into one of the most known sites to see a little cuture in the city, the Lourve Museum. Above ground, the Lourve has a massive triangular dome made of many glass panels with all the masterpieces from many well known artists from many eras and places world wide being housed over several underground levels. Among the art pieces that are wall-sized and those that are small, the sculptures & artifacts, the most famous would be no doubt the Mona Lisa - which we saw behind a glass panel among the other herds of visitors, all being watched by the several staff standing guard and patrolling all that came in not to take photographs.
Next on the tourist list a wander in town trying to locate
Christmas window display
Just one example of the window display puppetry in the centre of London keeping the kids entertained the Christmas markets before the disappear ... the first we found at Bourse, to our senses disgust was just selling seafood, the next ones in the middle of the city were a little more attractive. A visit to Paris and not to the Eiffle Tower would not be complete so that was the next place. Illuminating into sparkles for 5 minutes every hour we timed it pretty well and mangaged to get photos in both of its appearances while lighting up the night sky. We headed across the road to check out a carousel and were pretty impressed at the size of the fairy floss that was being dished out and even more impressed at this little girls' stubborness not to share it at all with her little brother!
24th December - Christmas Eve! we had a look in our local area of Montmarte village walking past the Moulin Rouge during the day which does not look half as impressive at what it does at night.. .. being well blended among all the other red light shopfronts in the street at night and put in a good light when looking across the street a huge SEXODROME meets your eyes.
Starting at the bottom of the Champs Elysées we next headed to check out the Arc de Triomphe a little closer up walking past all the designer shops such as Louie Vuitton, Cartier and many others as well as the mercedes showroom which has some VERY nice vehicles inside!.. before heading back down the other side of the road.
25th December- Christmas Day!
No white Christmas, however we made the most of the day by venturing out and did in fact make it to Church.. at the Notre Dame cathedral. With almost 200 years to complete the construction of this building in the 1300's, there's no doubt that a restoration program was required along the way which occured in the 1800's and that bits and pieces were added on along through the era's. It is now an amazing structure with a major gothic external influence and awesome detailed stain glassed windows throughout. We went round and round on the Paris Eye (similar to the London Eye - a massive ferris wheel) and had to be eating chocolate crepes on the way which is a VERY Parisian thing to do!.. it had a great view over the neighbouring Tuileries Garden
and out the other way to the Eiffle Tower.
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Roberto
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Hi Bec, Im happy to make part of your festive season trip.. Tanks you for showing up for a few drinks at christmas, and for all french skills!! I hope, soon, your blog will full up with lots news from your next tip "Brasil!!", I'm waiting your down there.. Beijos Roberto.