Shine On You Crazy Diamonds (Parts III-IV)

Trip Start Feb 26, 2004
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Trip End Nov 16, 2006


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Flag of France  ,
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Night buses are always signifigant, but the one to Paris seemed especially so. I was starting the beginning of what is sadly the last leg of my trip. There's still a fair bit to do, but I am indeed on the final straight. I felt like I should be listening to 'Homeward Bound', 'Solsbury Hill', or maybe anything by Harry Nilsson. But I have to admit I was listening to the soundtrack to The Muppet Movie. "There's nothing out there you can't do...even Santa Claus believes in you." Perfect.

It had entered my mind to see a bit more of France on the way to Paris, but my funds are low and I'm eager to see some friends so I gave it a miss. In particular I'd thought of spending some time in La Rochelle since it was the case study town that was featured throughout my French exercise books in school. I was curious whether the syndicat d'initiative was really en face de la piscine 01 - Eiffel Tower at night
01 - Eiffel Tower at night
 . I also wondered whether Sylvia still played la tennis and enjoyed la cinema or if, as I suspect, she had grown up with low self-esteem and now sucked off guys in the carpark of le discotheque to fund her addiction a la smack.

Pierre & Marie - Paris
Two of the people I lived with in Wellington, New Zealand

When I got to Paris I had to hang around during the day while Pierre and Marie were still out of town. I wandered through a part of town which was totally dead...there were signs in window indicating they were closed for 'security reasons', so I scurried away.

My first impression of Paris: Well, public urination seems to be popular.

I couldn't find anywhere to store my bags so I lay down in the park by the Eiffel Tower and had a few naps and people-watched and took in the view. The Eiffel Tower is far more impressive than I had imagined. Photos don't do it justice, and it looks better in real life...which is rare. I really can't rave about it enough and it is now officially in my top 3 world manmade landmarks (along with The Statue Of Liberty and Dublin's Spire). I stayed staring at it until dark and the flashy lights came on and everyone cheered. It was great.

Pierre and Marie are in great form and have settled back nicely after their round-the-world trip. We caught up and went out for dinner and they mocked my French and gave me some sightseeing tips 02 - Eiffel Tower - taking photography seriously
02 - Eiffel Tower - taking photography seriously
 .

I spent my September 11th climbing up the most famous landmark in a country with questionable foreign policies. The woman at the Eiffel Tower charged me the under 25 rate, which was nice, and I climbed the stairs to the second level and took it all in. Fantastic.

I wondered around town a bit and saw some shit, but every road I took seemed to take me to the site of Princess Diana's death. It is now covered in really naff graffiti; it's tacky and awful. But it made the scene less morbid and I ended up writing down some of the more amusing phrases, such as the Australian couple who claim "Your in our harts." Good to see dreadful spelling, punctuation and grammar doesn't prevent you from having a nice holiday.

I then headed over to The Louvre. It truly is a fantastic museum. I spent hours wandering through the mammoth complex. It's so big that I swear to God I saw more than one person walking around using those hiking poles. That's not even a joke. I really enjoyed it and saw some of the most impressive works of art I've ever seen. It's so so good.

I also saw the Venus De Milo, which is fine 03 - Why wear camouflage at the Eiffel Tower?
03 - Why wear camouflage at the Eiffel Tower?
 . Pretty good. But there was such a huge crowd that I started taking photos of all the people taking photos and that interested me more. I don't understand why people take photos of paintings and art work. I also saw The Mona Lisa and confirmed that it's overrated. I never liked it, and in person it was especially average. But why is it so popular? Can someone explain that to me? And can somebody tell me what is on The Da Vinci Code audio tour that justifies paying 5 Euro?

I was exhaused from walking, so I sat in the coffee shop and people-watched and reflected on life. I decided to come back to Paris one day with my wife and my first-born. I then came to the conclusion that I was directly descended from Jesus. That was a bit of a relief.
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Comments

ryana2
ryana2 on Sep 15, 2006 at 06:50PM

You wha?
'I also saw The Mona Lisa and confirmed that it's overrated.'
Simon, i'm afraid all that travelling has killed your braincells. Come on, give Lisa some credit. Its amazing.

mizliz
mizliz on Sep 20, 2006 at 07:16AM

Ah you're finished posting...
I really enjoyed your story about your travels, but wonder if maybe you stayed in NZ too long when you enjoyed other countries so much more. You grew weary of NZ long before you left.

Of course you had Sophie with you...by the way, is this the end of your lovely romance? Are you just going to drop it now? It would be such a shame if you did, but you live in one country and she in another, so it would mean a serious move for one of you to carry on with your love affair.

Of course you are still very young yet and probably not ready to settle down, and I actually hope you don't until you feel ready, but trust me, there aren't that many people you will meet who you get along with so well. I always think that if one can stand another person's company while travelling, that is a good indication that you are very compatible in any situation.

Anyhow, enjoy the rest of your time in Spain, which is one of my fave countries in Europe.

MizLiz

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