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Published: March 30th 2007
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Andrea Well, let me tell you, good times had by me. Probably should have written this as I went along but internet was at times hard to find, too expensive, or more than likely I was too lazy. I started this trip almost a month ago...oops.
Left unsunny England for France on March 30th. Drove to Dover and took a ferry to Calais. First stop, Paris. When in Paris my French came back to me, a little bit...Hung out with my new friend Kobi from Australia. She's a little different, but then she is Aussie.
The bus I was on - 27 people. Four Koreans, one South African, one Brazilian, one American, four New Zealanders, fıfteen Australians, and me, the token Canadian. It all started early, I no longer remember my real name. Think I will leagally change it to Canada or Canidia. Andrea? Who's that. New people who join up don't know my name because someone usually introduces me as Canada.
Anyway, Kobi and I wandered around Paris, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, L'Arc de Triomphe etc, etc. Chatted to the ticket seller for the metro in French so he gave us a bargain and we went
in with student rates even though neither of us is a student. A little French goes a long way. He asked for my phone number... Had a nutella crepe. A must when in France. Did a bit of a driving tour around the city - conquered the famous round-about. No rules. No insurance will cover cars while they drive through, we ploughed on there like we owned it. We love you Nev (the bus driver). Then a little picnic under the Eiffel tower and a Seine River cruise at night.
I had to go back and insert a little story here. I forgot it when I first wrote this, no idea how. Was in the Louvre with Kobi searching for Mona Lisa- we came upon her and were a little in awe. I was in a happy place until everyone was fighting to take pictures. It was clearly signed that no pictures were to be taken - there was a massive one right beside the famous lady. It didn't matter what language you spoke it was a picture. Still people snapped away - the least you could do is be subtle about it or turn your flash off. But
Le Tour Eiffel.
My favorite self portrait of the trip. no. I was just standing there minding my own when I heard this voice - 'Move your BIG-ASSED head out of my way!' I lost it. I turned around to this chick and said 'are you talking to ME?' I gave her my last nerve. She may have looked scared. I was so pissed - she just wanted me to move so she could take a f***ing picture. 'Excuse me works just as well, a little politeness goes a long way. You aren't even supposed to take pictures'. I yelled at her for awhile - I think she assumed (wrongly) that everyone was French there. Idiots. Just add her to my list of reasons why I dislike Americans. Sorry to all the nice Americans out there but, you have way to many who keep up your bad rep. She apoligised profusely and said that she wasn't talking to me - dunno I was standing right in front and I'm not exactly short. But I waited my turn to get there...
I then went to the snow. Missed it so much after my non-white Christmas that I headed to Switzerland. Lauterbrunnen, a small village in amongst the mountains. Headed on
a little train to the top of Europe which is up the Jungfrau Mountain. Best day ever. Our guide told us that it would be extremely cold so I layered up as only Canadians know how to do. Big mistake. I forgot that she was Australian and should have converted Aussie temperature to Canadian. I was cooking. But it was beautiful. Had lunch at the top. Sandwiches tasted amazing, probably had more to do with the location than the actual sandwich. Meh. Had a snowball fight. Everyone thought it would be great to get the Canadian. So I got up close and personal with a few face washes and snow banks. Just before getting on the train someone (Ryan you jerk) decided to stick a handful of snow down my jeans. Nice wet ass all the way down the mountain on the train.
Back to France, not for the last time. Avignon, 1st night I actually went camping. Ever seen the movie The Transporter? That's all I could think of while there. Got stuck in an automatic toilet. Not fun. First I couldn't figure out how to lock the door - turns out it locks automatically, then when I
Switzerland.
Sitting, having a few beer by the river. tried to get out I couldn't. One arm out the rest of the body still inside. Sadly there were people waiting outside to take my picture and laugh.
Spain. I came. I saw. I drank too much. I left. Spent a day and a half in Barcelona. Did a bit of a drivıng tour to see the main sights. Gaudi's catherdral and such. Went out for dinner with everyone and hit up a night club. Good times and bad mixed together in a punchbowl. The stage up and kicked me that night, I ended up with a bruise on my leg that grew and changed colour for the next two weeks. Slept in the next day. Have not slept in since...don't remember when. Visited the markets. What a place to go! Illegal animals. Flowers. Living seafood that scares the crap out of you as you walk by thinking that they are dead. Fresh fruit that you wouldn't believe, mounds of it, some I had never seen or heard of before or since.
Week 1 finished. Still alive.
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