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Published: September 11th 2010
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Paris
Cleopatra's Needle So here I am feet on French soil, I keep telling myself it going to be ok, I have my French phrase book and most people know a little English, so I’m told.
First thing I do is find a cab I’m glad I came prepared and handed the driver the address I had written down in case he couldn’t speak English, Smart thinking!. I tell you there was no way I could have driven from the airport I could not believe how the Parisians drive cutting in front of each other, zig zagging all over the road weaving in and out they just find a hole and jump into it, Its madness! Horns’ going off left right and centre pedestrians, oh yes the pedestrians running in front of traffic without a care in the world this is madness and sooooooooooo busy, well my first half an hour in France and I’m dizzy.
I made it to the hotel and off I got to my room, let’s just say it’s cheap accommodation ok. I hoped back down stairs grabbed a map and headed off to find some food and drink.
Well my time in Paris wasn't exactly what I
Paris
Arc De Thromphe Etiole imagined it would be so I won’t go on about the unpleasant experiences , what I can tell you is about my day in the heart of Paris. I decided to hope on one of those big red city tour buses, I thought this would be the safest bet that I wouldn’t get lost. Did I see some amazing sites; yes I did! The Eiffel tower itself was amazing site it stood out in the city’s skyline and it is huge. There would have been at least 1000 people standing underneath the tower, they were all waiting to go in the elevator that took you up the tower, I’m sure the view would have been Fantastic but I wasn’t going to stand around to see, it just put me off, also the presence of army officers walking the area with machine guns took the whole romance and appeal away, unfortunately this is the world we live in today.
I saw many a museum some were showing modern art, others art of yesteryear, I had a good look at the Arc De Thromphe Etiole as it was one of the stops and it sits in the middle of the worlds craziest
Paris
Arc De Thromphe Etiole round about, cars were going every which way it was complete madness, you just had to laugh; really. This part of town was obviously for the rich and famous with all the exclusive stores and 5 star hotels. I only went past the Louve, unfortunately by the time I went to go in it had closed.
There are many incredibly beautiful bridges that cross the river all built in different periods throughout history. My favorite was the Alexander III it had gold winged horses at each end; the use of gold on the bridges, roofs of buildings and statues was vast. There is a huge monument of Saint Michel yielding his sword standing over the devil victorious; it stood in front of a large intersection and was a real focal point, everything is in such a grand scale. Ok what else; ah the Notre Dame the Palace De Challot and a little out of character was an oblique called Cleopatra’s needle it was tipped with gold, across from here was the Grand Palais.
There was a row of brass cannons that had turned that lovely green which brass becomes left to the elements. Further on the centre of the Vendome
Paris
Arc De Thromphe Etiole square stood a huge monument called the Colonne Vendome it had been constructed out of 1200 brass cannons that were taken during the battle of Austerlitz in 1805, one of Napoleon’s greatest, they were taken from the enemies and melted down to commemorate the victory of the battle, on top stands a statue of Napoleon,
Many, many fountains, restaurants, shops of all sorts, people selling on the streets in little carts, people just selling of the foot path, junkie gift shops, amazing gift shops there really is something for everyone In Paris. Did I get lost yes several times even with a map well that was my day in Paris; will I go back YES it was not enough time and I was defiantly not prepared for the crowds and the sheer size of the city? I would have loved to seen Paris at night apparently it is really pretty
The area I was staying in had a market on in the morning down the main street. The market had fresh produce from fruit and veg, fresh bread and cakes, fish, meat, cheese and all the stall holders are trying to get your business, I’m sure if I knew exactly
what they were saying they would be very cheeky, their faces and expressions were enough to make me laugh. Once the market was over a group of street cleaners filed passed and cleaned the street up in minutes. I’m leaving here tomorrow and I can’t say I’m sad about it,
Ok I don’t think Paris was ready for me or vice versa (thanks rainbow) I won’t go on about how we but heads. In all fairness I think I will go back another time and give it another go. Next time I come I will spend a little more on accommodation and request no bed bugs, scratch, scratch, itch, itch.
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