Get Lost

So after months of planning, plans flying out the window, stressing, replanning, and more stressing, I finally made it to Paris this morning- the first stop on my 6 month trip across Europe and North America. After a tearful goodbye to my parents in Perth, followed by an explosives residue AND body pat down test from people I sincerely hope worked for the airport security, I boarded my first flight to Singapore.

A hop, skip and a jump later, I was in Paris. Well actually it was more like 2 planes, a bus, another plane, 2 trains and a walk. But I really can't complain seeing as I lucked out to get a whole 3 seat row to myself from Singapore to London. The sleep that resulted from this piece of fortune is one of two reasons I am in such a good mood while I write this. Because I arrived in Paris at 11am I could only drop my bags at my hotel and freshen up with a spare top I had in my carry-on, then I had to go find something to do before I could get into my room at 2pm. I left the hotel and started walking- half thinking about how gross I felt, half wondering if I should get some lunch. I decided not to take a map with me, and by "decided" I mean I got two blocks from my hotel and realized I forgot to ask for one and was too embarrassed/ lazy to go back. But, as luck would have it, another 2 blocks down the street I had taken I spied the gold statue on the top of the giant column in Place de la Bastille. This was the area I stayed with my sister Gemma 3 years ago so I knew which direction would take me where. I decided heading down to the Seine was as good an idea as any and formed a plan to get some lunch on the Left Bank. Of course I only made it past 2 patisseries before I caved and bought a 90c macaron. But seriously I would like to see you walk past this window and not buy anything. As a side note, I completed the whole transaction in French and didn't embarrass myself... That I know of...

Without a map it was a case of "know the general direction, make it up as you go along". So my route was not what you would call direct. I wandered into some gardens and followed about 20 signs to a menagerie which I thought would be fun. But it turned out you had to pay. So, after paying my respects to some kangaroos that I could spy through the fence, I had to walk all the way back through the gardens to the place I came in as I couldn't find another way out (even after cutting through a bush and stumbling across a girl lying on the ground, tanning in a bikini).

I soon made it to Notre Dame which was ever so slightly more crowded than when I was here in the middle of winter. But I found a quiet street with a little sushi place that had tables small enough that I didn't feel weird sitting by myself.

Finally, I made it to my hotel and had that long awaited shower. My room is so nice it actually made me want to cry when I stepped inside. I am now freshly showered lying in bed writing this-which is the second reason I'm in such a good mood.

Bisous xx