We got off the train in Paris and it was raining. Luckily our hostel was just a minute down the road from the train station. Yet somehow Amy and I still managed to go the wrong way, walking about a mile in the opposite direction. We turned back and this time when we were outside the train station we spotted the sign for St. Christopher's Inn, where we'd booked to stay three nights.
Day 8 - Saturday 2nd May
The next morning we got up, had our complementary breakfast in Belushi's (the restaurant underneath the hostel), and headed out into the infamous city. In the cold light of day, well what could get through the grey clouds anyway, it didn't feel all that different from England, so we headed towards the iconic Eiffel tower. On the way we found Notre Dame cathedral and discovered it was free to go inside. There was a bit of a queue but it was moving quickly and soon enough we were inside. It has quite a Gothic style with low lighting that gave the ceilings a ghostly glow. I really enjoyed sitting in the pews listening to the organ playing, it was very peaceful.
Next we made a pitstop at the nearby McDonalds. I'm making use of the chocolate sundaes that they seem to have everywhere except the UK. We've also decided that whenever we go to McDonalds it's actually market research to compare price and taste!
Walking towards the Eiffel tower brang some of the magic back. It may have been rainy and grey but it was still pretty impressive seeing the tower up close. We were able to walk up to level two of the tower, then had to get a lift to the top. On each of the main levels there's all different information about the Eiffel tower. When I got to the top the wind was strong and the sky was dull, yet the view was spectacular.
We stopped at level two on the way down for a much needed hot chocolate. By this point it was getting dark and Amy's friend had told us that the tower sparkles for five minutes on the hour each hour at night (thanks Christie!!). We managed to get to the bottom just as it turned nine o'clock. Above us lights started to flash so we ran away to get a better view. All I can say is that it was magical and it's something you should go and see if you get the chance.
Day 9 - Sunday 3rd May
Seeing as this was our last full day in Paris, Amy and I went in hunt of some of Paris' other famous buildings and monuments. First we found Sacre Coeur and had to walk up far too many steps to get there. I'm beginning to think the majority of this European adventure is being spent climbing stairs! Round the corner from there is Montmarte village, where we stopped at a cute little patisserie. I had a strawberry and custard tart, a croissant, and a peach ice tea. It was very yummy and some little birds kept coming up to the table in hope of some leftovers.
On the walk to see the Arch de Triomphe we ended up walking through what must have been the red light district and found Moulin Rouge at the end. I don't know if this was a place before the film of the same name, or if it was built because of the film, but it was still pretty cool to see.
After we saw the Arch we started walking home, but I desperately needed the toilet. We realised that it was Sunday afternoon and nothing was open, not even caffes or restaurants. We resorted to getting the Metro back to the hostel just so we could get to a toilet.
We ended the day with food at Belushi's, writing out some postcards home in our room, then back to Belushi's for a drink.
Day 10 - Monday 4th May
On Monday morning it was time to pack everything up again and move location. This time we were travelling to Interlaken in Switzerland. Before we left I took a picture of some art in the street by the hostel.
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| I took a picture of this because it looked cool however when I got to Germany I learned the artist painted this on the Berlin wall. More info will be up when I write my Berlin post. |
J :)
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