Wednesday, October 10, 2012
St Germain De Pres
To my mind THE most beautiful church in Paris (not that I've seen them all, by any stretch) ...
The Exterior:
The Stained Glass:
The Art:
Just Beautiful...
The Exterior:
The Stained Glass:
The Art:
Just Beautiful...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Paris - Venice
The actual flight from Paris to Venice was a short 3 hours maximum.
We booked a transfer shuttle to the Airport, there were various transfer shuttles traveling throughout the day so we figured that we'd get an early transfer and hang out in the Airport, do some shopping, have a leisurely meal and chill out before boarding. We were wrong.
As it turns out the free transfer is only applicable for the shuttle bus that arrives at the airport moments prior to your departure.
The day was wet, the wind was fierce, tempers were short and warmth a rare commodity as we sat cuddled up under open jackets, looking homeless. I noticed hubby's lips were turning blue between the sounds of my own teeth chattering uncontrollably. Thankful that it was my turn I rose to brace the cold and shiver my way across the road to the local shopping center.
I know, I know, you're thinking what the hell are you doing sitting in the cold when there's a shopping center just across the road?
Well, my friends we're not as foolish as it may seem ...
Upon our first visit to the 'shopping center' we noticed how classy, modern and fashionable the shops were - this was designer central. Large open spaces between the boutiques without one stick of seating - nothing. We made our way through the center and stood in line for the only food servery in the center, we waited for ages before we found a crowded table and squeezed our backpacks in. Once we finished there were still loads of people waiting to be seated so we didn't linger, we instead investigated if there was somewhere to sit and chat out of the cold. Some teenagers were sitting on the stairs that formed the entrance to some unknown 'opening soon' store, as we passed a security guard motioned for them to move on. Obviously loitering was frowned upon. Sure, the security guard may have been cautious because they were kids, but with the language difference and the fact that at this stage we looked like backpackers, we thought it poor form to take up residence were the teenagers had been evacuated from. We summoned up our available Euros and knew there was no way we could afford another meal each from the restaurant, just to be warm and seated.
So, we took it in turns to trek from the bus stop to the shopping center for hot drinks (to keep the hands warm if nothing else) every hour or so, the coffee cart guy must have thought it was his lucky day when more tourists started to cotton on.
It was an interesting experience.
We booked a transfer shuttle to the Airport, there were various transfer shuttles traveling throughout the day so we figured that we'd get an early transfer and hang out in the Airport, do some shopping, have a leisurely meal and chill out before boarding. We were wrong.
As it turns out the free transfer is only applicable for the shuttle bus that arrives at the airport moments prior to your departure.
The day was wet, the wind was fierce, tempers were short and warmth a rare commodity as we sat cuddled up under open jackets, looking homeless. I noticed hubby's lips were turning blue between the sounds of my own teeth chattering uncontrollably. Thankful that it was my turn I rose to brace the cold and shiver my way across the road to the local shopping center.
I know, I know, you're thinking what the hell are you doing sitting in the cold when there's a shopping center just across the road?
Well, my friends we're not as foolish as it may seem ...
Upon our first visit to the 'shopping center' we noticed how classy, modern and fashionable the shops were - this was designer central. Large open spaces between the boutiques without one stick of seating - nothing. We made our way through the center and stood in line for the only food servery in the center, we waited for ages before we found a crowded table and squeezed our backpacks in. Once we finished there were still loads of people waiting to be seated so we didn't linger, we instead investigated if there was somewhere to sit and chat out of the cold. Some teenagers were sitting on the stairs that formed the entrance to some unknown 'opening soon' store, as we passed a security guard motioned for them to move on. Obviously loitering was frowned upon. Sure, the security guard may have been cautious because they were kids, but with the language difference and the fact that at this stage we looked like backpackers, we thought it poor form to take up residence were the teenagers had been evacuated from. We summoned up our available Euros and knew there was no way we could afford another meal each from the restaurant, just to be warm and seated.
So, we took it in turns to trek from the bus stop to the shopping center for hot drinks (to keep the hands warm if nothing else) every hour or so, the coffee cart guy must have thought it was his lucky day when more tourists started to cotton on.
It was an interesting experience.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Overnight in Paris
On the train into Paris from the Airport we were graced with the music of a busking accordian player, he made his way through the train, he gestured for and accepted money without missing a note. We made a small donation to his cause, whatever that may have been.
Hotel Academie was central but very small, right near the oldest (and in my opinion, most gorgeous) Church in Paris, that I witnessed, St Germain De Peres. We were allowed to photograph it but decided to do so on the return journey.
Restaurant food is very expensive in Paris, but if you are smart (shop at markets etc) you can eat quite cheaply and with decadence. We found some really exquisite pastries in Paris, the most popular with us was this pastacio escargot - mmmmmm
Our hotel was close to Notre Dam, so we decided to take an after dark stroll. We marked Notre Dam as a definite must see on the return journey. As we attempted to make our way back to the Hotel, we found ourselves lost. We spend three hours walking the streets of Paris, tired, feet sore we walked into a cafe - what a wraught!. We ordered a cup of tea for me and a coffee for hubby, both of which tasted like they were made on powdered Goat Milk. Hubby said his coffee was 'piss weak'.The concierge was rude, he strolled around with his nose in the air giving us, and all the other tourists the distinct impression that he wanted us to leave, even though it was not close to closing time and there weren't people waiting for a table. To top it all off he charged us 10.8 Eruo - just tea and coffee, that's it. We would have ordered more if the beverages and service were any better.
We took a train back to the Airport to depart for Venice. On the train we were approached by a young girl, asking for food for her baby, she smelled BAD and I couldn't tell if her baby was even real, it could have been a doll for all I could tell, so I gave her nothing, later I felt guilty for a while, until I thought through the facts logically - a ticket for the train cost about 4 Euro, close to the train station was a pharmacy that had formula advertised for 3 Euro. Later on our journey I discovered statistics which confirmed (at least in my mind) the lack of necessity for my contribution.
Before I end this post, please know this: I'm in no way bagging the French or Paris or anything like that. I'm only telling you my initial experience and feelings of Paris.
Don't worry, we came back - And Loved It!
Hotel Academie was central but very small, right near the oldest (and in my opinion, most gorgeous) Church in Paris, that I witnessed, St Germain De Peres. We were allowed to photograph it but decided to do so on the return journey.
Restaurant food is very expensive in Paris, but if you are smart (shop at markets etc) you can eat quite cheaply and with decadence. We found some really exquisite pastries in Paris, the most popular with us was this pastacio escargot - mmmmmm
Our hotel was close to Notre Dam, so we decided to take an after dark stroll. We marked Notre Dam as a definite must see on the return journey. As we attempted to make our way back to the Hotel, we found ourselves lost. We spend three hours walking the streets of Paris, tired, feet sore we walked into a cafe - what a wraught!. We ordered a cup of tea for me and a coffee for hubby, both of which tasted like they were made on powdered Goat Milk. Hubby said his coffee was 'piss weak'.The concierge was rude, he strolled around with his nose in the air giving us, and all the other tourists the distinct impression that he wanted us to leave, even though it was not close to closing time and there weren't people waiting for a table. To top it all off he charged us 10.8 Eruo - just tea and coffee, that's it. We would have ordered more if the beverages and service were any better.
We took a train back to the Airport to depart for Venice. On the train we were approached by a young girl, asking for food for her baby, she smelled BAD and I couldn't tell if her baby was even real, it could have been a doll for all I could tell, so I gave her nothing, later I felt guilty for a while, until I thought through the facts logically - a ticket for the train cost about 4 Euro, close to the train station was a pharmacy that had formula advertised for 3 Euro. Later on our journey I discovered statistics which confirmed (at least in my mind) the lack of necessity for my contribution.
Before I end this post, please know this: I'm in no way bagging the French or Paris or anything like that. I'm only telling you my initial experience and feelings of Paris.
Don't worry, we came back - And Loved It!
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