12 June, 10:30. Location: train Norwich-London.
Well well, it seems the time to leave has finally come! Being a long day I've decided to write bit by bit, I'm guessing many things are going to happen (since it's just 10.50 and they already have...).
So obviously this morning, the only moment in which I wanted my phone to work, it didn't: a 6.30 alarm clock soon became a 7.45 panic wake up moment! Since I still had all the bed and bathroom things to pack plus everything off my bed still had to go in a box, I found myself fairly stressed. Everything was packed LITERALLY at the same time the taxi arrived!!! Never, ever, again...
At last I thought "finally I can relax!". Yep, you wish... with two suitcases and a man bag (totally probably 30kg altogether) not only did I have to try and fit through the ticket barriers, but I also needed to walk the FULL LENGTH of the train, as you can see in this photo (Norwich station is at the very back, you can't even see it!):
But finally I am in the train!! I found a very cheap first class ticket, so at least (I thought) I could enjoy my trip to London! Nope, I forgot this is Greater Anglia... my seat is stuck in a semi-reclined position, meaning sitting down is proving an adventure of its own...
At least I can relax now. I'll probably catch up on the week's EastEnders (simple pleasures...), and I look forward to meet up with my friend Giovanna in London in a couple of hours!!!
13 June, 11:00. Location: Paris, 10ème Arr.
No more WiFi after the last bit, so here I start again a day later. Finally managed to get to London, where I met some of the rudest people on the planet: first they wouldn't let me off the train, then they tried pushing into the queue in front of me at the Tube barriers, then they wouldn't help me with my suitcases up the stairs. Oh and another thing: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TFL INSTALL LIFTS AT LIVERPOOL STREET STATION!!!!!!
However I got to St. Pancras, where I had a nice lunch and a good catch up with my friend Giovanna:
13 June, 11:00. Location: Paris, 10ème Arr.
No more WiFi after the last bit, so here I start again a day later. Finally managed to get to London, where I met some of the rudest people on the planet: first they wouldn't let me off the train, then they tried pushing into the queue in front of me at the Tube barriers, then they wouldn't help me with my suitcases up the stairs. Oh and another thing: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TFL INSTALL LIFTS AT LIVERPOOL STREET STATION!!!!!!
However I got to St. Pancras, where I had a nice lunch and a good catch up with my friend Giovanna:
Then off I went, through security and passport control, where I already had to speak French (and I was still in central London!!!). And then up, on the fullest train ever: you can't really see it in this photo, but it was packed...
Of course I was wishing I could sit down and relax, instead I had to rearrange the entire suitcase rack because people don't know how to travel. Proposition for the government: issue a passport only to people who have been on a practical traveller course, following everything from queuing to using a train!!! (right, I'm getting slightly fascist now...let's move on)
The train journey was amazing, incredible service and seriously comfortable. Only problem? It was going too fast!!! My ears weren't used to it and kept going pop...
Finally, I was in Paris! And within a short amount of time there I was at the hotel: BED, SHOWER, BRING IT ON!!!!
After relaxing a bit and a short Skype call, I decided to look for somewhere to eat. The guide recommended the Bastille area, so I headed off that way. I found a nice little bistrot in that area where they prepared a wonderful risotto. At the end I decided to work out where I was, so I looked for a sign on the square: imagine my surprise when I saw this... (Sacré Théâtre people, prepare!!!)
Honestly, I had no idea, and I was seriously shocked!!!
I then headed off to the city centre and enjoyed a nice stroll to Notre Dame, along the Seine to the Louvre, and then off to the Eiffel Tower (all the photos will be at the end of the post).
But being what I am, I couldn't complete the day without being an idiot: a city I've never been before, of course I had to miss the last metro train of the day!!! So there I was, roaming the streets of Paris looking for a bus... At last I managed to get to the hotel, and I good night's sleep was in order...
In the morning I had planned to go and visit Notre Dame cathedral, but destiny had another plan for me apparently: SNCF are on strike (again!), so I'm spending my time browsing for train connections to get to Champagne-Ardenne. I don't know if I'll ever get there, but we'll see...
See you soon!!!
xx
Paris looks wonderful at night, it has been seven years since I went and still I can't forget how beautiful and poetic Les Tuileries looked at dusk. I hope you'll manage to get to Champagne very soon. :)
ReplyDeleteBisous!