"You can always take the safe with you!" or Every Holiday Should Provide You With At Least One Good Dinner Party Story!

It is now Saturday and I have spent the 36 hours since arrival sleeping, catching up on tv, sleeping, washing and sleeping. I wouldn't call it jet lag I'd call it dry socket lag! The journey home itself was fine. An empty seat beside me on the first leg which was great and a sleeping five year old on the second leg so that was also good. No sleep on the first leg but watched the first series of a Kelsey Grammer show 'Boss' which was enjoyable and made the time pass quickly. 'Once Upon A Time' and some nodding off filled the last leg. A swift passage through customs completed the journey.

The Paris end of the journey was a little more dramatic. The shuttle was collecting me at 8 so having packed the night before the alarm woke me at 7.15. After showering I decided it was time to get my ticket and passport out of the safe. It wouldn't open!! I had reopened it at least once since first putting them in to check flight time before booking the shuttle. What followed was an hour of drama with two staff members focused on the task, lots of phone calls, me trying to make sense of the manual as the one with the best English and sending the shuttle man away when it was evident it wasn't going to be open any time soon. The title of the blog was one of the suggestions made to lighten the atmosphere. By this stage the safe, me and all my worldly goods had taken up residence in the foyer to the amusement and sympathy of guests trying to check out amid the drama. Lots of deep breathing and positive self talk and I stayed quite calm. The boss/owner arrived and after some time and with difficulty he did open the safe. It was then I burst into tears! A cab was going to take 15 minutes to arrive which was going to be too late so I was driven by one staff member in another staff members car! The traffic was heavy but I got there in time, in fact there was no one at check in the counter. My bags also made it home so all good. Moral of the story - open your safe as soon as possible before departure!

It has been a very diffent holiday.  Not the momentous lifetime highlight that has been my other two visits to this part of the world, but a two week holiday like no other!

Doesn't Really Feel Like Springtime!

Today was more like a term holiday rather than an OS adventure but fortunately it was really what I felt like and needed. I had set my alarm for 8 at which time I reset for 9, then 10 and then 11! After six long weeks I am re-establishing my skill of sleeping! On the one hand it was a waste of my last morning in Paris and on the other it is what I need to be ready for school on Monday. Leaving the hotel at 12 I had a list of four destinations and the metro lines required. Heading first to La Madeleine, coincidently Madeleine's favourite church. It looks very different to the traditional church exterior and was lovely inside. I sat and listened to experts from the Faure requiem. Gabriel Faure was the choirmaster and organist at this church when he wrote his requiem in 1888. This is one of my favorite pieces we sing with choir, often on All Souls Day. Wonderful to listen to it where it was likely first performed.

Getting to La Madeleine I had got a little wet. Foolishly I hadn't checked my umbrella was in my bag. I continued to get wetter as I headed to Galleries Lafyette. A few handbags tempted but I showed great restraint!

 I explored, and dried out a little, before I hit the metro again to St Sulpice, which Sr Margaret, from choir, said was her favourite and worth seeing.
By the time I walked there I was officially pretty drenched and after a quick look decided that the last thing on my list, the Montpanasse Tower, which Rob and Madeleine had recommended as a good Paris viewing point, was best kept for my next visit.

Heading home I picked up supplies including red wine, cheese and bread for an afternoon of magazine reading (thanks Keryn) and another downloaded movie. I LOVE MY IPAD!

I'm packed, basically, and hope I have another fabulous sleep before my 8am shuttle pick up for my midday flight. Mouth ... Still improving with room to continue.



Hard to tell but the tree is pink blossoms

                                               
I hope you have enjoyed the summary of my experience of Easter in Springtime. Yes it could have been, warmer and sunnier but with only two wet days and lots of blossoms to enjoy I have been delighted to steal this moment in time, particularly to spend time with the Cottrells which was simply wonderful.

Certainly a once in a lifetime chance to say that over the last 8 months I have been in New York, London and Paris! Life is good.

By the way I'd be fascinated to know who are the readers of this in Russia, United States and New Zealand (that maybe the holidaying O'Brien family?)Please identify yourselves - I'm fascinated. helenl@a1.com.au

Paris with Parisiens

What a lovely day. A start that was not rushed but allowed me time to find my way to the 16th arrondissement to arrive at the McMahon's at 11. I am feeling confident on the metro and that, combined with Dadoune's excellent directions, I had no trouble finding them. A beautiful sun drenched apartment looking out onto a tree filled square, opposite a beautiful church. Just gorgeous. We walked in the sunshine to do some 'domestic chores' as Peter put it. It is a beautiful part of Paris, above the Seine with fabulous views of the tower. Returning to their place Dadoune put on a delicious French spread.

About four we headed out and we parted company with directions from Peter to cross the river at the tower ahead of us and head to the left. The aim was to get to Notre Dame but a developing blister on my foot and the realisation that I hadn't seen the pyramid of the Louvre led me to crossed the river to sight and photograph the pyramid.

I then headed through the Tuileries, across place de la Concorde and up the Champs Élysées to return via the Arc de Triomphe metro station. Didn't walk in here until 8 so it I was a long day. 25500 steps. A wonderful experience to see Paris through the eyes of locals. Very spoilt.




Don't complain there are no photos of me in Paris!

A highlight on the Metro today - I referred earlier to the absence of buskers. Today there were 3. Two doing what I'm guessing we're political comments and one guitarist. Everyone looks down and makes no response. I'm still hanging out for something as entertaining as the puppet show we saw last visit. Another disappointing change since last time is the graffiti on the unofficial Lady Diana monument has been cleaned. No more "Click, clack front and back!". I bet an Aussie wrote that!

Last Day of the adventure tomorrow. Have a list of four of five things I wouldn't mind doing so I'll have to consult the map to see if they are possible. The sun shone today so fingers crossed I will be as fortunate tomorrow.

Got this far without a mouth report. Must be getting less significant ... Not perfect but improved. Definitely not the pain waves/tsunamis that have been standard for so many weeks, for which I am vey greatful.

                                           

It's Getting Better All The Time

Now yes the holiday is great but my title actually refers to my mouth! I slept 8 hours last night WITHOUT DRUGS. That's at first in 6 weeks. As far as the extraction is concerned I think I've turned the corner. Alas I have mouth ulcers now which are very painful, particularly in cold wind and when I eat/drink anything hot. An English speaking chemist today has given me something so maybe there finally is light at the end of the dental tunnel!

My bedside table view for the trip!

As for Paris, I've had a lovely day. I was watching Paris weather closely over Dec/Jan as Anne Verrender was visiting. It is not cracking 10 degrees now in spring but it was warmer for Anne. It is the wind that cuts through you, but it has been dry so that's all that really matters.

Leaving my hotel this morning I was greeted with the Paris marathon running past my front door! A heaving mass of athletic humanity were in the first half of their journey. I was aware it was happening discussing barricades etc with an Australian tourist on the bus yesterday who knew all about it ... I wasn't expecting such a close up experience!

I journeyed on the metro to Montmartre. I arrived at the end of the homily and stayed for the rest of mass. Choir not great! I wandered the shops and markets which is always delightful. Elevated views of Paris don't do it justice so the fact it was cloudy didn't bother me.

I particularly enjoyed the memory of an early morning phone call received from the steps of Sacre Coeur from four Lee girls just before midnight on New Years Eve a few years ago with them enthusiastically declaring that I was in Narwee and they were in Paris (Paree)! I took great delight texting Virginia, Madeleine, Julia and Maria to reciprocate!

Onto Notre Dame where I sat for some time taking it all in listening to some of my favorite choir music on my iPad. Magnifique!

Walked both the islands, but couldn't bring myself to have an icecream Rebecca (choir) had highly recommended. As much as I like a good icecream in less that 10 degrees I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Next time!

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. Dadoune, from choir, has an apartment in Paris and is in town. I am meeting her tomorrow and she has a few plans. Paris with a local. Very exciting.

Reacquainting Myself With Paris

Day one started late as I woke at 11! I slept poorly as is normal these days with mouth pain increasing when I lie down. In the last 6 weeks I have probably slept continually for five hours only a few times. Last time I looked at the clock, which I had done very hour or so, was 6am. A shame to lose tourist time but I was delighted.

I trained it to the city arriving at the Arc de Triumph. Wandered down the Champs Elysse then headed to the Seine, walking to the Eiffel Tower. Glad I hadn't intended going up as the cues, as usual were in full swing. I joined a hop on hop off bus for 2 and half hours to complete the processes of orienting myself. A further wander got me back to the Arc de Triumph and the beginning of my journey back to Port Doree. Am having no trouble negotiating metro but sadly I have been disappointed with the lack of buskers which have been so entertaining in the past. Have not seen one.

It didn't rain on me at all though the ground was wet around home. The wind was very cold but out of the wind and in the sun it was lovely.

So lovely to be back in his beautiful city. I look forward to more tomorrow.

I am so impressed with life traveling with an iPad. Not only have I been able to track my journeys on the metro checking on here but I have another chick flick to enjoy tonight. It has just been fantastique! If you have been considering getting one I can only encourage you to do so, particularly of you have plans to travel.

Ah ...... Paris!

I'm sitting at the writing desk in my room of the Hotel Porte Doree. It is 8.20pm and there is still some light. The threatening clouds of an hour ago have passed and there is some color in the sky indicating, I hope, good weather for tomorrow. I am sipping on a petite bottle of French champagne that Madeleine gave me and listening to Tommy Emmanuel, as other than CNN there is no TV in English.



My view

So how was the journey to this point? I left Richmond allowing lots of time as I was concerned I'd have difficulty. Other than the cab that was booked for 10 not appearing and plan B not arriving until 10.30, all went very smoothly. Madeleine's detailed description linked with the advice I'd been given from the hotel here. The Eurostar itself a very pleasant traveling experience. I was so shocked when booking how cheap it was that I splurged and went first class. The seats very comfortable and the lunch delightfully French. Like a good Australian I took advantage of the free grog and had two wines hoping that making a cocktail with that and a few Neurofen Plus I might get an afternoon snooze. Didn't work but generally I would say it has been one of my better mouth days. Though it has started to hurt now .... It's knows it's nearly bedtime!

I struggled on various sets of station stairs between the two cities but it wasn't too bad. As I started the final and biggest set of stairs a youth, late teens early twenties came to my aid. I wish I knew how to say in French "Your mother would be proud!" but had to do lots of "Merci monsieur". So yes I survived the journey which from my tavelleing experience these linking days can be the most stressful (can't they Lisa!). Best news is that there is a shuttle bus I can get from the door here to the correct terminal on Wednesday for the return flight. Yeh!

One Metro station, can't remember which one, there was a group of baskers who filled the gap left by Covent Garden by greeting me with Pachabel's Canon.

The most interesting part of today's,journey brings me back to a concept I reflected on last year in Canada, that of perspective. Last time I journeyed from London to Paris was by hovercraft and bus. It was after spending two weeks in the magnificent rolling hills of Ireland. I thought the landscape was flat and boring and was very disappointed with my first taste of France. Six years later we flew from Paris to London and the incredible patchwork spread beneath us of the intensive agriculture of north west France was unbelievably impressive. So today with almost the same land trip as the first I was now impressed with the colors and textures before me, knowing the piece they play to create the magnificent patchwork from above. It's all about perspective!

Sadly no photos til I return :-(  (Sunday 22nd ... I'M BACK!)

"Can I Come to London Easter 2012 and Experience Your London?"

This was the question I asked Madeleine New Years Eve 2010 when they came to celebrate Christmas as a surprise. I realised with the decision made that they would move to Sydney September 2012 this would be my only chance.

The last ten days have flown. I have had time to play tourist as well as aunt and great aunt. A lovely balance actually. Richmond has been the perfect base (thanks Sue for the suggestion).

My final day had a slow start and some bargain sales shopping. Met the family and headed to Annalise's favouriet spot in Richmond Park. She played in the stream in full waterproofed outfit and we wandered through heath and spied robins. A very pleasant way to spend the morning. A lovely lunch followed in a delightful nursery cafe.  

We returned to Whitton after I added to the drug supply before I hit a non English speaking country. We visited the local pub, hundreds of years old, where rugby games are watched and everyone knows the Cottrells by name. A lovely dinner followed with survival tips for the next five days given.

Now my bags are packed and I am hoping desperately to get more than the three to four hours sleep I've been getting. A wonderful, memorable holiday has been had. How wonderful it will be to have the Cottrells with us in Sydney.