Trakka and Bredoir do Paris

Best mini-break ever. I just spent four nights in Paris with Bredoir. Highlights being; free accommodation courtesy of the UN, boulangerie/pattisseries EVERYWHERE, tour guides on tap in the form of Bredoirs relatives AND Bredoir's company as well, of course.

Day one of the Paris extravaganza, I travelled on the Eurostar from Waterloo to Gare de Nord. Waterloo is like ten minutes from my house, and Gare de Nord is practically in the city, so Eurostar was a great way to go. I was, however, pretty disappointed with the view, as the scenery is not too pretty along that particular train line. That afternoon, after dropping my goods off at Bredoirs sisters place, Bredoir and I circled the neighbourhoods surrounding the Eiffel Tower and the Hotel des Invalides. Either we are terrible at reading maps, or ...well, I don't think there is an alternative, but those two sites took us a good four hours to see. Despite them, and Bredoirs sisters apartment, all being within walking distance of each other.

The long walk, however, did give us plentiful opportunities to play 'spot the gypsy'. After being forewarned that Paris was full of gypsies and pickpockets, I took a keen interest in playing the gypsy hunter! I identified the following groups of people as gypsies: people with prams, people in wheelchairs, people with crutches, people with donkies, people carrying babies and all old people. Anyone with any kind of prop really, so that they can distract you and steal your goods!!Bredina did not convince me that it was safe for her to be yelling out 'Gypsies' at them, she thought that was fine, as they 'couldn't speak english'.

The following day, Bredoir's sister Kiri took control and showed us around, so that we could see more than two sites in a day. We saw the Arc de Triomph, the Champs Elysee's, the Louvre, Notre Dame and a bit of a mini-riot out the front of the Courts/cop station. Bredoir and I got told off twice in Notre Dame for being too loud, to which Bredoir replied 'Who made you God?'...just kidding, but she really wanted to, and even took a forbidden, rebel picture within the church, and then had the nerve to bless herself on the way out after all her bad behaviour!!!

This was also the day I discovered Tartes fromboise, which is really just a raspberry tart, but I of course developed an obssession, and proceeded to want every single one I saw. I am now sick of them, and would be happy never to see another again. The other food we got an obsession for was a thing called Croque Monsieur, which is just a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, but you know, ' a rose by any other name...' rararara.

The Paris Metro was a hive of entertainment also. We encountered a strange old man, that came up to us and creepily joined in our laughter (which I think was actually about him), a hot girl winked at me, we saw a Zac from Desperate housewives lookalike TWICE and a woman from the west indies asked us for our email. My reply was totally lame; 'I don't have email' (because obviously I am a 98 year old indian and live, when not in Paris, in a remote south american jungle!) Whereas Bredoir had more brains, and gave a fake email Bredoir@hotmail.com. I envisage much fun in the future using fake email addresses...am waiting for an opportunity to use you'refat@hotmail.com

Saturday we went to Montmartre and Marais, but the temperature had suddenly plummeted and I couldn't feel my extremities, or my face. I was super keen to get back to the Metro, and was saying 'I am going to BOX somebody soon!' at the hawkers trying to sell us things. (Incidentally, all attempts at speaking french were knocked flat, as they would reply in English. One man, selling nutella in crepe's, thought Bredoir and I spoke Japanese, THAT is how good our french was).

Anyway, despite the cold (which caused me accidentally to buy a new coat), the walks were lovely and picturesque and full of famous sites. On the Marais walk, we came across the houses of Victor Hugo and Picasso, a lot of beautiful old Parisian houses, the Jewish quarter and the column that they erected to mark the spot where the Bastille used to stand...now a busy intersection.

On the Montmartre walk, we saw the Moulin Rouge, Van Gogh's home, Paris' only inner city vineyard, and of course the Sacre Couer. That night, Bredoirs lovely sister made us a beautiful big roast...best meal I have had in quite a while.

Sunday we went to Versaille, which took the whole day. It is not very far out of the city, but it is big and there are a few different buildings to look through. One of the highlights was when Bredoir had her headphones on (for the audio tour), and therefore did not realise she was yelling when she was saying 'I can't believe this bit is closed! and it is the best bloody bit'. Which was true, the Hall of Mirrors, one of the most beautiful rooms, was unfortunately closed for renovation. Her screaming within the rooms of the relatively quiet palace, was hilarious though, and really made up for it, I thought.

On our last night out in Paris, Bredoir and I decided to go out for a romantic dinner, just the two of us. The first restaurant I chose, only because the menu was in english, turned out to be a bit of a dud, in that it served crystallised duck, pavements of salmon, and other things we had no idea what they were. So we did the big walk out, and found another restaurant, one in which Bredoir could order escargot. I, naturally, refused to try, but was very impressed with Bredoirs bravery.

All in all, it was a trip full of great sites, great food, fantastic company and FREE accommodation. It will take something special to beat it for best mini break ever, and it was an awesome way to spend some time with someone from Canberra! I still can't believe she scammed time off during such a busy part of the Finance year, she's such a pro...KIDDING! ;)

Alright, hands up, who's coming on a mini break with me next!?