c'est la vie

i can now say I have been to Paris, and what a weekend it was. It started well with a wonderful trip on the eurostar (i love train travel) and i found the hostel easily from the station; but the moment i gathered my confidence and begun my little adventure out on the streets of this famous city, I was hassled and hasseld by these black french guys wanting me to 'just be their friend', who were probably harmless, but freaked me out no end as one in particular wouldn't leave me alone until a older Parisian walked by and demanded they stop. Thank God for him. So anyway I continue on my journey, up the steps to the Sacre Coeur, where i meet another odd charcater who decides that because i gave him a smile and said hello he thought i wanted to hold his arm and accompany him to the top. No Sir. I quickly wave goodbye and run to the safety of tourists and magnificant view out over Paris at the top, and try not to let both incidences get to me or spoil my first day here.

so i sit quietly in the Sacre Coeur and then wonder around the local area of Montmarte before meeting yet another male who trys to start conversatiopn with me, and which i quickly ignore at first, but to which somehow turns into a trust, and although i wonder what the hell i am doing, i let him show me his 'programme' of Paris. He seem friendly and not sleazly like the others, and as he was studying to be a chef he had the weekend free from work and was open to spontanitey and wanted to practice his english - C'est la vie he kept telling me. So I let him. we went from Picassos home and studio to where Amelie was filmed, then into a brasserie for a quick shot of cafe to waken me up and down underground on the metro. He was a perfect guide for me as he liked to do things 'economic' - ie on a budget, so i saw everything i needed too of the Pompidau, the Louve, the Notre Dame, the Seine, Place Verdone and finally the Moulon Rouge without costing a fortune or getting bored with too much art/culture (sorry Mum) and he took lots of photos for me and got my water bottle filled up at bars along the way so i didn't have to purchase any, and we walked a bit more than usual to save money on the metro and because we had good company so walking wasn't so bad. He did actually want to take my to a Parisian party that night, but i was really tired and didn't want to give the wrong impression and i didn't think it would be entirely safe so i went back and hung out with a bunch of Aussie girls and Candadian siblings at the hostel which was really good fun .(although i think Stefan was a bit dissappointed and didn't quite understand, oh well you win some, you loose some). At the hostel we cooked and talked and it turns out the girls are from near where i lived in sydney and the candians will be in rome for new years like me so we might catch up there.

Friday was not so as randomly smooth without my guide. I wondered the streets alone with the gale force winds and miserable rain, i tackled the eiffle tower, which was closed due to the wind, discovered the fresh but not very lively markets of Rue Cler, sought shelter in the Musee D'Orsay, followed by a walk around the national military museum, over to St Germain and the Latin Quarter and back home that night. Saturday I slept in, farewelled my roommates and climed the Arc de Triumphe before strolling down the Champes Elyeese, and eating roasted chetsnuts in the gardens in front of the Louve. As I soaked up as much warmth from the sun as possible on a brick wall near the glass pyaramid, another male tried for my number after a 5 min conversation, so i got up and left and managed to fit it the Conceirge and the Saint Chappelle before my time in Paris was at an end and i jumped back on the cosy train back home to an icy, but familar London.

So did i enjoy Paris, yes and no, i saw a lot, more than i expected, but im not sure id rush back there anytime soon. but thats ok, cos now ive got Italy to conquer and god only knows what sorts of unwanted attention i will get there! Yet, i am quite excitied about Italy too, i think it will be better than Paris.