And lame photo of the day award goes to… BUT I DON’T EVEN CARE.
I am now in the south of England for a friend from university’s wedding and I have my *own* room, with my *own* bathroom. I can’t even begin to explain what a luxury this is after staying in eight people hostel dorms the past two weeks.
OH! also-also, I am surrounded by my good, strong, friend, Mr. Internet (finally!! because I hate being behind on blogging. I know, I know I’m so cool) and, well, I head home to Toronto next week and despite feeling SUPER nervous about this (because the end is sooooooo near!!!!!), I am also quite excited. I like routines, I do well with routines, and I am welcoming with open arms a full time job, CrossFit, Running, and just living in the every day life of Toronto.
But now, as the clock strikes 1am in England, I must snooze, because beauty sleep is a must in my old age.
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It’s a weird thing to complain about traveling, because I am so aware that those (myself included) who travel are very, very lucky, but I need a moment to complain. Apologies in advance.
Today was the worst. THE WORST. I want to tell you the details about the insane number of unfortunate events, little and big, that went down, but my mind seems to have blocked out the details from this travel day from hell. But what I do know is this: I took eight trains today. I had to pay for a second ticket from from Amsterdam to London, because I missed my previously booked train, even though I was there & ready, but EuroStar doesn’t accept electronic tickets. I know my 55 pound suitcase’s wheel broke. Oh! And I broke my flats - I don’t even know how one does that, but I did. I got trapped in a packed train for 45 minutes because the doors wouldn’t open. I discovered Europe has hardly any elevators in train stations. And I had a million and two moments where I wished with everything I am, that I was back in my childhood bedroom, laying on my bed, looking at my ceiling, all warm and happy in bed (especially when the British customs guy refused me entry into England).
Traveling is filled with ups & downs, and downs & ups, I know that, but today? Today wins for the worst of the worst days I’ve ever had.
Au revoir Paris! A sneaky-deaky photo on the train from Paris to… Amsterdam!
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SNAILS (Escargots)
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but… when in Rome! I went into the dinner with an oh-hell-no attitude, and then what do you know? I tried a single snail (after *a lot* of pressure from not only my table, but also the locals). And? And it was, ummm… well, I will never-ever-ever eat one again, but I admit it was more my mind messing with me, because “omg it’s a snail!!” All I really tasted was the pesto, butter sauce, but then afterwards I couldn’t stop thinking the little thing was crawling around in my tummy (ewwwww).
FOOD
Paris’s food is delicious (minus the snails): cheese, bread, fondue, crepes, souffle, creme brulee, croissants, French fries, macarons, French toast, baguettes & wine? YES PLEASE. Really, it’s amazing everyone (and I mean everyone) is skinny here… but of course, all in moderation. I’ve actually been been super-duper good, and dessert-wise, only eaten the lemon tart (above) and a creme brulee, because as Amelie says, “cracking creme brulee with a teaspoon” is one of life’s simple pleasures.
WALKS
This city is made for taking walks in. The architecture, the flowers, the cobble walkways? I am in love and have added “Run the Paris Marathon” to my bucket list. Why? Because I lose track of time and my thoughts when I’m wandering the streets admiring everything I see. When I was on the subway yesterday I saw this lovely French girl, and I thought what a shame we (humans) don’t get more than one life. I would love-love-love to live out a life start, to finish in Paris (and Melbourne) (and Toronto) (and NYC).
MOULIN ROUGE
Because we had to! When I was 18 and partied my way across Europe (side note: I LOVE travelling at 28; I appreciate & understand everything so much more) I headed to the actual show, so this time around I just went to see the bright lights & windmill.
HOSTEL DRINKING
I lucked out (and for Australians, that means I got lucky) with the fine folks in my dorm room, which means I actually had a good group of friends this time around in Paris to talk to, and do things with, including drinking the nights away (oh hai there Kings Cup) and heading to cliche Paris jazz bars.
THE EIFFEL TOWER
I can’t even put into words my love for the Eiffel Tower. It’s so beautiful, and big, and seeing the thing in real life is up there on my favourite-things-to-do-in-life list. This, of course, means I’ve gone to admire it several times this week. So, story time: two nights ago I was sitting on the Eiffel Tower’s look-out steps waiting for the lights to turn on, when a French man (about 45) ended up chatting me up. I wasn’t interested at all, y’know, given his age, and this, but we ended up talking for a few hours and get this, turns out he’s the CEO (and LinkedIn verified this) of a very big luxury car company, and wanted to take me for dinner and drinks here (I know, whoa) and invited me to his house in the south of France, which his iPhone verified is unbelievable. I politely declined, but I felt like it was an ‘only in Paris’ moment.
SACRE-COEUR BASILICA (The Sacred Heart of Paris)
Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church perched up on a hill just outside Paris’s city centre, and is a “must do” if you ever find yourself here. (I’m actually staying in this area, and would def recommend it). The church was built in 1919, which makes it the youngest church in Paris, and it boasts some of the most spectacular views of the city.
Okay. Okay. I think I’m done. I’m actually writing this from a beautiful, little cafe in Paris, as I watched the locals go about their Sunday afternoons. Paris, you beautiful city, you; I like you.
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Paris. Oh Pah-ree!
Where to start? What to say? I am head over heels in love with this city and am so pleased I decided to visit France. It’s actually been one of the easier cities to go about my days in solo; so much to do, so much to see. As I write this, my feet hurt from all the walking, but im determined to do as much as possible.
And my hostel has been top-notch in the meeting-people department, which has been really good and distracting for my soul. As I’ve said before, travelling gets lonely by yourself, and then given my recent goodbye-forever Australia move, I am certainly quite fragile and emotional these days and feeling a little lost as I make my way back home.
I had a huge desire yesterday to be “home”, but the awful, oh so, so awful, thing was I didn’t know where home was. I didn’t really know where I wanted to be, I just knew I wanted to be with people I love, and who love me - but I felt so lost not knowing where that was. Part of me constantly feels stupid that I’m now 28 and have no home-base set up; in Australia, or Canada. I constantly feel a little lonely and find myself envying people’s stable lives on Facebook, when I am walking the streets of Paris. Insane, isn’t it?
But like I said, I’ve met so many great people in Paris and my mind has been distracted in an awesome way. I skyped Matt yesterday which was, well, I don’t even know. I constantly see couples in Paris (obviously) and keep thinking that this little European adventure I’m on is probably my last solo trip. It’s been good & amazing doing so much alone, but I’m definitely now at the stage where I want someone to share this all with (right now I feel like I’m dating my blog - sharing my photos and thoughts with you. It helps.)
Anywho, I am at a cafe right now, sipping a coffee and typing away on my iPhone as I rest my feet before I venture out again. Can’t say I know the point of this post, just wanted someone to chat to.