Slept through my alarm so didn't leave the apartment until a bit after midday. Given that my Musuem Pass expired today, I dedicated today to mainly museums, as well as a few attractions which were covered. Climbed up the towers of Notre Dame to check out the view as well as the stone chimeras. Apparently gargoyles are used for water drainage and since these beasts were purely for decoration, they were chimeras. I was also up there when Quasimodo rang the bells which was quite an experience.
Next stop was the Musee des Egouts (Sewer Museum). I was literally in the sewers below Paris, but in clean tunnels and on raised platforms and bridges (not like in the movies). It was shit and it stank. I honestly don't know what I was expecting and why I was surprised when it stank. Next stop was Invalides where the Army Museum was as well as Napoleon's tomb. That took up the rest of my afternoon.
As the sun set and the night lights came on, I headed over to the Arc de Triomphe and climbed to the top for a great view of the Champs Elysee and the sparkling Eiffel Tower. Freezing cold up there but worth it for the view of the lights. Back at the apartment, Tash and I cooked dinner of chicken tikka before we had another quiet night of me updating and her doing her essay.
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Day 57
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Day 58
Last day in Paris, heading on a night bus to London tonight. Spent the morning packing everything, as well as finishing off the macarons I had bought. Sugar overload. Spent the afternoon at the Pompidou Centre which houses modern and contemporary art. Some very interesting installations there, including a really trippy multicouloured room with corrugated walls which altered the design of the room depending on which angle you viewed it from. Other installations were just stupid. I could have done them. I don't consider ornaments arranged on a shelf as art. Nor do I consider a blank canvas (or its sequel, the black canvas) art.
Went out for dinner with Tash, Viv, Nic and Jono. The original plan was to check out this really popular creperie. Unfortunately as usual, it was packed and we couldn't be bothered waiting (also I just didn't have the time with my bus). Ended up eating a Turkish place in the Marais; my first and last meal in Paris were both Turkish haha.
Having said my goodbyes, I picked up my bags and rushed over to Porte Maillot to catch my overnight bus. Got there in a nick of time, and was the second last person to board. Did not expect the bus to be that full. As the bus began its long journey, I reflected on my time in Paris. Even after spending about 10 days here last time, I still found new things to do (although I did revisit a lot with Aniqa). I definitely picked up a bit more French this time than last time, especially while trying to listen to Tash conversing with her roommates and friends. Perhaps my love is for France and not just for Paris. I know I have a desire to drive through the French countryside and explore the little regional towns. I guess that's for next time. When I'm fluent.
My whole thinking about taking an overnight bus to London was that I would be able to sleep. How wrong I was. At 2:30am, we pulled into the customs where we had to get off the bus and pass through French and UK immigration, before waiting on the bus for another hour to board a ferry across to the UK. At least I saw falling snow though!! Too bad I was on the bus so I couldn't run around trying to eat the snowflakes. Once we got on the ferry, we had to get off the bus and head up to the decks for the 90 minute channel crossing. I could have slept there I guess, but there really wasn't anywhere comfortable to sleep. The bus continued on its way once we reached the UK, and we got into London at 7:30am.
As I got off at Victoria Coach Station, the familiar feeling of having walked these streets came over me. Made my way over to Kentish Town to where Elina lived, where I crashed for most of the day. Having not slept for most of the night, it was a well-needed rest. Got up around 3pm and went out and explored the area (north of the city), before heading into the city to meet up with Elina to go see Pentatonix! They're a really cool acapella band and they were amazing!! I wasn't really a fan of them beforehand having only seen one or two of their Youtube videos, but after that gig, I was hooked. Spent the rest of the night watching their Youtube videos. Great way to start my time in London.
HBL signing out from London, UK.
Up next: Musical binge in London's West End...
Previously: Paree 'olds ze key to your 'eart...
Last day in Paris, heading on a night bus to London tonight. Spent the morning packing everything, as well as finishing off the macarons I had bought. Sugar overload. Spent the afternoon at the Pompidou Centre which houses modern and contemporary art. Some very interesting installations there, including a really trippy multicouloured room with corrugated walls which altered the design of the room depending on which angle you viewed it from. Other installations were just stupid. I could have done them. I don't consider ornaments arranged on a shelf as art. Nor do I consider a blank canvas (or its sequel, the black canvas) art.
Went out for dinner with Tash, Viv, Nic and Jono. The original plan was to check out this really popular creperie. Unfortunately as usual, it was packed and we couldn't be bothered waiting (also I just didn't have the time with my bus). Ended up eating a Turkish place in the Marais; my first and last meal in Paris were both Turkish haha.
Having said my goodbyes, I picked up my bags and rushed over to Porte Maillot to catch my overnight bus. Got there in a nick of time, and was the second last person to board. Did not expect the bus to be that full. As the bus began its long journey, I reflected on my time in Paris. Even after spending about 10 days here last time, I still found new things to do (although I did revisit a lot with Aniqa). I definitely picked up a bit more French this time than last time, especially while trying to listen to Tash conversing with her roommates and friends. Perhaps my love is for France and not just for Paris. I know I have a desire to drive through the French countryside and explore the little regional towns. I guess that's for next time. When I'm fluent.
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Day 59My whole thinking about taking an overnight bus to London was that I would be able to sleep. How wrong I was. At 2:30am, we pulled into the customs where we had to get off the bus and pass through French and UK immigration, before waiting on the bus for another hour to board a ferry across to the UK. At least I saw falling snow though!! Too bad I was on the bus so I couldn't run around trying to eat the snowflakes. Once we got on the ferry, we had to get off the bus and head up to the decks for the 90 minute channel crossing. I could have slept there I guess, but there really wasn't anywhere comfortable to sleep. The bus continued on its way once we reached the UK, and we got into London at 7:30am.
As I got off at Victoria Coach Station, the familiar feeling of having walked these streets came over me. Made my way over to Kentish Town to where Elina lived, where I crashed for most of the day. Having not slept for most of the night, it was a well-needed rest. Got up around 3pm and went out and explored the area (north of the city), before heading into the city to meet up with Elina to go see Pentatonix! They're a really cool acapella band and they were amazing!! I wasn't really a fan of them beforehand having only seen one or two of their Youtube videos, but after that gig, I was hooked. Spent the rest of the night watching their Youtube videos. Great way to start my time in London.
HBL signing out from London, UK.
Up next: Musical binge in London's West End...
Previously: Paree 'olds ze key to your 'eart...
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