Jetsetter. Paris - London - Cardiff - Dublin

Friday

Today was my last ‘cultural’ day in Paris. Spent the whole morning at the Louvre wandering around the place taking it all in. I ended up getting a bit lost in the Renaissance section, I cant escape that boringness! Then did a bit of shopping in the afternoon then that night I went to this show with these aussie dudes who were in my room. It was “How to be a Parisian in One Hour” and it was hilaaarious! So the guy compares tourists to Parisians to show how they would act totally differently in situations. He had things like in a restaurant, on the metro, in clubs trying to get with someone etc., looking for an apartment and a few more. It was a one man show and the guy was just so funny he did such an awesome job i would definitely recommend this to anyone going to Paris. Basically the summary of what to take away from the show was that Parisians are all assholes because living in Paris can be compared to hell...could sortof see what he meant actually in the whole extreme expensiveness and tiny apartments and terrible pay. Unsure if i could live there!

 

Saturday

Today was my Eurostar trip back to London. Got up and went for a big run around a park near my hostel which felt really good and extremely necessary. Then headed for the train. Such a sweet way to get between the two cities really easy. Anyway so got to London and headed to Larissa’s hostel which was in Pimlico quite far from the eurostar station but tubed my way there like the pro that I am. Got there around 4pm in the pitch black no less. Woke up laz and we headed out to get dinner. SO SO nice to see her we worked out it had been about 18 months since wed seen each other like re o week 2011. Crazyyyy. So we decided to get ourselves sorted and start drinking! Spent the night drinking at the hostel with a bunch of rowdy Europeans mostly Spanish and Italian who were SO loud but hilarious. Met some really cool people and had a verrry fun night. So we left the hostel round 1130 and headed to covent garden to this bar called roadhouse. Got on the tube and it hit 12am and people were singing away happy birthday and i was thinking HOWWW do they know its my bday, turns out it was this swiss dudes 25^th birthday same day as me! So the song turned huge and everyone on the tube was getting amongst haha it was so cool i wish i had videod it. This swiss guys friend was trying to get the whole tube singing some were having a bar others, not so much. Larissa was doing the same and getting mixed reactions also haha. Since we were about 25 people they couldn’t really deny me a birthday song! Anyway got to this bar and the line was HUGE. But it was like the only cool bar around apparently so we waited literally about an hour. Then it was TWELE pounds to get in! But i was like meh bday treat to myself. It was a really cool place we ended up just drinking and dancing til it closed. Made our way back to the bus chatting to randoms along the way. Saw this mini asian dude spew EVERYWHERE all over this bus it was a terrible way to end the night but oh well. Then we were out to it about 5am – really really fun night.

Sunday / entering my 24^th year (WHAT THE HELL)

Today Laz had pretty much allowed me free reign on what we do so of course I chose shopping. We hit up Oxford st and roamed for a few hours however nothing really worthy of a purchase, oh well we know I enjoy looking almost as much as buying. Then we went to the movies to see Looper. GREAT movie I definitely recommend. Then went back to the hostel to hang out and just chat to people, really really liked the people at Larissa’s hostel they were all really cool and welcoming – even asked me to stay on and work there! Haha. Was also asked a few times for legal advice...dished that out on the proviso they got that im actually not a lawyer and have no idea what the hell im talking about. So all in all a really good birthday. I got quite a few really nice personal messages from people which made my day and made me realise what amazing people I have in my life!

Monday

Today I was Cardiff bound. Nothing too interesting during the day just the train really. Got to Penarth around 4 and had some specific instructions on how to get to uncle davids. So I get there and its this little cobblestone street and I just have to say WHO invented cobblestone like it just makes no sense im constantly tripping over and looking like an idiot or attempted to grad this suitcase which just has a mind of its own and is all over the place. Anyway so im moving at snail pace trying to drag the suitcase along the street and this woman ahead of me stops and says “have you got far to go with that” and im like “umm im actually not sure, im walking to my uncles which shouldn’t be too far” anyway she so kindly offers me a ride which was amazing considering it would have taken about 30mins or more with that beast of a suitcase. A very great first impression of the Welsh! So that night uncle david cooks me an assortment of foods for dinner and I eat far more than I need to. But great to see him and chat about everything. Then auntie cath comes home with a cake in tow, so I have my 23^rd birthday cake, a cute little caterpillar sing me a song and blow out the candles. I just realised I forgot to make a wish, damn! Oh well making one now and counting it towards that. Sweet. Anyway then Uncle davids friend comes to get me for a show that he had an extra ticket to. So we went to this high school performance of Miss Saigon. REALLY GOOD. The kids were amazing hard to believe some of them were like 15, amazing singers and actors. Just a really good show in general, think they are known for their shows at this school. Met a bunch of welsh people all of which were under the impression id come all the way to Wales to see this show haha that was kinda fun for a while.

Tuesday

Today I was Dublin bound!! Caths dad kindly took me to the airport and I was off for Dublin arriving around 2pm. Got to my hostel pretty easy (much easier with just a small carry on bag) then decided to go for a big run around this park. Really pretty park but I got kicked out at 4pm because it was closed. So i ended up spending the night hanging out with two people from my room we went and watched this ‘jam session’ at the hostel with this chick who was really good on guitar just singing and chatting with everyone. Really cool and chilled. Decided to head to bed and not go out because I felt like I was almost about to coma out, so tiring travelling around all the time!

Wednesday (today)

Today I got some sightseeing done, went to a few museums saw some old buildings, standard stuff and nothing too exciting. Just loving being immersed in the Irish accent its so pretty! Did some shopping also looking out for Christmas presents really. Now just back at the hostel having dinner with the two people from my room then we shall see what the night has in store! Have a trip to cork tomorrow leaving at 7am so probably best not to have a big night...we will see!

J'ADORE Paris

PARIS my official favourite city in the world (so far!)

So for those who know me well you know Paris was my number one destination I have dreamed of going my whole life and I can safely say it has lived up to all the hype and more. I have loved every minute of being here! I walked into the city with the false assumption that 'oh everyone will speak english' (like in Thailand etc.) WRONG WRONG WRONG. Hardly anyone does!! And my top in French circa 2006 has not helped in the slightest. Reeeally should have brushed up as I kept saying I would all year but meh.

Okay so run down of each dayyy -

SATURDAY
So arrived in Paris around 5ish and lugged my well overweight suitcase to my hotel. Somehow I am getting lucky and just stumbling in the right directions and getting to where I need to be, so good. Then I get there and I'm told 'its level 3, there are the stairs'. These are the steepest windiest stairs I have ever seen. So I try and lug this mammoth suitcase up but it just is not going to happen. Thankfully the french dude helps me up there. Get to my room and no one to be found even though each of the 10 beds is full. Thankfully some Aussie chicks turn up and I have to turn on the charm. I have realised it is actually super easy to meet people if you are just nice and friendly and actually give a shit about other people. Not to say i didnt before but it can get a bit tiring asking people the same questions and answering the same ones and then trying to retain all that info. Eventually wth the people i actually hung out with I had to be like sorry in one ear out the other, pleeease repeat. Anyway so I ended up meeting this Aussie dude in the foyer and he invites me to this pub crawl with 4 other americans, two chicks and two dudes. So i head off to god knows where with god knows who. Ended up being SUCH a fun night, so cool to just not know anyone and no one know you and just start fresh. Anyway the pub crawl was nothing like the ones in Qtown or Dunedin it was like 20 min walks between bars and some like old men pubs with like 4people in them buuut we made it work since there was like 60 of us it tended to fill any place out that we went to. Ended up missing the last tube home and we missioned it back to the hostel in the freezing cold at around 3am. I must say the french or other tourists or just who ever was out that night are seriously grabby. Like it seems to be normal to them to actually grab you and like engulf you in a hug and literally not let you go even when you are squirming away. No is just not an answer to them...ew. Thankfully had like 4 dudes with us girls so it was easier to get away but MAN that was just crazy.

SUNDAY
Today was the start of touristy-ness in Paris when my new Aussie Daniel and I went to Versailles. He invited me along the night before and I was just like meh why not, hadnt planned on going out there but SO glad I did. Such a beautiful castle but freakishly overextravagent. Like as each new king came along it seemed he had to make it bigger and better than the last. You could see the different stages of the castle and it has just gotten extreme. The gardens themselves must take about 100 gardeners about a week to maintain. We barely scratched the surface but managed to get the whole castle done. We got to see so many different rooms, the kings bedroom, his billiards room, his throne room, the room of mirrors, etc. There is a room for pretty much anything any king could have wanted! I was thoroughly amazed by the paintings on the ceiling but by about room 15 I realised it was just a common normal thing for a french palace..who knew. So that was worth the trip out there, took about 45 minutes and the actual viewing was about 5 hours so it was a long day. But we had made plans with this guy and girl to meet at the Eiffel Tower at 9pm to mission it up the stairs and see the city by night. So Daniel and I roped it around 4more people and headed there. Met up with the other two and went to take the stairs only to find out they were closed. Kinda gutted but also uncover glad as there were 702 and it was raining, lift thank youuu. We stayed up there for about 90 minutes honestly, it was absolutely stunning. I just stood and stared for so long taking it all in, getting snaps and just had this revelation that THIS was the reason I came, to see that sight. And it was totally worth it. Anyway after that it was about 11pm and time for home. Really great day but very busy.

MONDAY
Today I decided to get a few things ticked off my hit list. So I headed to the Notre Dame got there took out my camera and realised I had forgotten my memory card sooo no photos. SUCH an idiot. Sooo I decided I would spend the afternoon shopping, not exactly gutted with that. But the Notre dame was so beautiful. Amazing stained glass windows and candles and sculptures everywhere. There was this messages of peace box and I wrote my own little message and put it in. That was cool. So ended up spending the rest of that day out shopping. Headed home around dinner time and ran into my American friend Meg. we had planned to go out for drinks that night because it was her last night of travel before going home where she hadnt been in 3 years. Epic night for her. Anyway we decided to skip dinner and have a few drinks. TWO EUROS (breakin the bank) for a bottle of the nicest white wine and we were on our way. No cups at the hostel so setlled for measuring containers (still a scarfie much) then meg forced some belgium beer down me (told her I wasnt into it but she said it tasted like flowers..unsure if this was a good convincing tool but I tried it and yes it did taste like flowers, oddly the best beer i have tried though tbh!) then we roped in Ellen and this other chick Lizzie. Went out for some more drinks and had the most interesting chats I have had since ive been here. To cut a long story short Meg has been in the peace corps working in south africa for the last 29 months and god did she have some eye opening stories. hearing about how thepeople live in her village and also about what she had to go through and how it changed her was just so interesting. i could listen to that girl talk for days! so interesting hearing about Ellens travels shes been away from Aussie travelling 6 months and shes pretty tired. Dont know how shes done it! And Lizzie has just given up finding work in the UK and is travelling France (a degree in Swahili and african studies is apparently not too easy to find a job..) anyway that was that night, really really interesting.

TUESDAY
Today Ellen and I decided to go get some more things ticked off our list. Hit up the Arc de Triomphe and the Champse-Elysees. Both stunning. Such a weird feeling being here and experiencing both of those. The view from the top of the Arc was beautiful got some good snaps. But the roundabout down below was the most interesting, I have NO clue how french people drive but its utter chaos. Apparently no insurance covers that roundabout because its just like a no go accident zone haha. Walked down the christmas markets down the end of the champs-elysees, soo cool. bought me a bracelet the guy handmade in front of me, even bartered it down 10 euro wooo thailand ways are still with me. Then we walked around a nice garden and then to see the louvre. Then went to the Pont des Arts called 'Love Lock bridge' where people write their names on locks and lock it to the bridge. so cute. Then went back to the Notre Dame after we got sufficiently lost trying to find it on the island its on in the middle of the Seine. Then we headed home for a much needed rest. Thennn headed off to dinner and a movie, we decided to go on a date with dates...thought it was super cool to take dates (the fruit) into the movies...dont know why but yes we are both equally weird. Saw skyfall SUCH a good movie would so recommend. prob my fave james bond one so far actually! Then headed home for the night.

WEDNESDAY
Today I went to the Sacre Coure to start off with. Walked up the stairs and got the most amazing view of Paris. Stunning. Then wandered Montmartre area where there are painters everywhere all wanting to paint you. Not keen but cool to see all their works. Such a cute little area cobblestone streets and cute old buildings. Very french. cool christmas markets up there too. Must say coming here over christmas is very very cool, everything is so festive and pretty i love it! Then I walked around Montmarte more and just kinda kept wandering until I landed in Africa. Literally the only white person in this area and I started to get a bit nervous. I was just walking and walking and finally got out but man the street people were like vultures all either trying to sell me fake crap or looking at me like an alien. weeeird. Anyway next stop was Musee d'Orsay. Very cool to see some amazing paintings that I had also studied - some Van Gogh, Gaughin, Monet, Manet etc. etc. alllll the big names were there. Took some sneaky shots too which I shall upload. Then just wandered around a bit before heading from one hostel to another. got to the new one which is SO nice really new and warm and much better in terms of actualy hostel than the last. But people here arent really as friendly. All guys in my room two from aussie two from america and a japanese chick who doesnt speak much english. Have had chats and got to know them a bit but its not really the same.Spent the night wandering Belleville the new suburb im in. Its like ive literally walked into China. Asian places EVERYWHERE. Kinda lame but interesting all the same. Spent the rest of the night chatting to people here and doing some organising for Ireland and my last few days in Paris.

THURSDAY
DISNEYLAND BABYYY! Today went to disneyland - all I can say is SO much fun!!! Loved space mountain and this other lift ride. Really just wanted to go on all the thrilling rides, managed all of one park but didnt get to do more than 1 ride in the 2nd one since it closed at 6. But still got to do heaps! Bought a cool cup as a little remembrance of the trip. The only lame thing was that it was cold and rainy howeverrrr this also meant no real lines so that was good. Waited about 20 mins max. Made me think of when I went to Disneyland in california and I just do NOT know how my parents did it!! I rememeber me complaining about not getting a pair of minnie mouse ears the whoole day like what a little shit! Sorry 11 years later mum!!

Right so that sums up Paris so far! Next in store is the Louvre, potentially a boat ride and I am going to a comedy show thing tomorrow night. All very exciting! Then off to London for the weekend for my birthday SO excited to spend it with Laz. Will probably update next week when I am in Cardiff :) :)

London Part 2

So I am currently writing this on the Eurostar heading from London to Paris woohoo my top city in the world I have wanted to visit, very excited. Now to try and remember what I have done over t the last few days.

Wed 4^th

Today I started off the day going to the Tate Modern. I was expecting quite a lot more in terms of actual art work but I still loved what I saw. It was really cool to see the art I had studied at school in real life – I am a huge fan of Mondrian and some of Picasso so felt really excited to be up close and personal with that! The only thing that was kinda lame was that you had to pay for most exhibitions except for the permanent ones so I couldn’t see about half of the exhibitions. Wasnt really phased on the renaissance art, have never really liked it that much and there was a bit of that at the national gallery so it was cool to see more late 20^th century art. Could even make some of my own art at these interactive art computers. Thennn I went across the Millennium bridge to see shakespeares globe – surprisingly tiny. Then headed across to see st pauls cathedral. Huuuge. But not bothered to pay to actually go in just cool to see from the outside. Also saw the marble arch the day before I think. It all kind of merges into one. Then had this really yum lunch at a sushi train place BUT man was that expensive like $16 for lunch – outrageous. But with all the yum food wizzing past you just cant help but want to grab more. I must say I have hugely expanded my horizons food wise on this trip. Every meal I have tried to try something that I haven’t before. Big things over here are turkey and pomegranate in like a sandwhcih – not something you would see in New Zealand at all really. 

Thurs 5^th

Today was my pricey day visiting the Tower of London and going on the London Eye. Got this hour long tour at the Tower of London from one of those guard looking dudes. Hilaaarious guy and made the whole thing really fun. Learnt me a bit of English history. We sat in this cathedral where 1500 bodies were buried underneath. They would just lift up a stone dig a small hole toss and body in then close it back up. Then theyd wait til it had disintegrated and then could dig it up to place the new one on top , crazy. That included three queens who had been beheaded at the tower of London. So that was quite cool. Then later that day went on the London eye once it had got dark. Soo cool to see the whole city that way. Then that night went out with the boys in the flat i was staying at. Went to a couple of really cool bars in Shoreditch, really cool place I would definitely go back there.

Fri 6^th

Today I really just packed up and prepared to head off to Epping where I stayed the night with dads friends the Taskers. SUCH Londoners. They picked me up from the station and back to their place. All very English looking the street and the house. Mick was the most animated man I have EVER met. I can totally see why he was Dads best ever boss to this day. Just a great man very chatty and lively and interesting. Sat and chatted with Josie his wife all night while Mick was at a Christmas function. Very interesting to hear more about some of englands current issues/evevnts etc. Had the best sleep of my life, first night in my own room/bed in about three weeks – loved it. Then an amazing cooked breakfast this morning chatting with Mick all the way to the train station where he dropped me a few hours ago. Now well on my way to Paris, excited to see what tonight has in store, will update in the next few days!

LONDON BABY

Okaaaay big run down of my first 4 days in LONDON!!

So I surprisingly slept NINE hours on the plane, stoked! woke up with 2 hours to go and couldnt believe it! So that helped with any jet lag because it kinda adjusted me to the next 7 hour time difference. Arrived at 6am and missioned my way to the tube, mastered that one rather quickly and made it to Hughs in a record time of 3.5 hours! Haha he thought my flight had been delayed but nope, just took quiiite a while to get my way there.

Anyway so Day 1 London -

Spent today walking around Shoreditch which is where I'm staying. Apparently its the "coolest of the cool" and yes it does seem like a pretty cool area. First cafe I went to happened to be run by NZers - so that was my first and ONLY good coffee so far on this trip. let me just say that London has TERRIBLE coffee. 1) Finding a place to actually sit down is almost impossible, places are so busy and packed theres like lines out the door 2) When you do find somewhere the coffee machine is either broken or they dont even know what a mocha is! One place didnt know what trim was...I have since learnt to say skinny, my bad. Annnyway back on point. So walked around the shops here and the markets, so many things catching my eye but for those who have shopped with me, I kinda need to be on my own so as not to annoy whoever I'm with when I want to stop at every turn. Soo later that day we went to London bridge, walked along the Thames then to Tower of London. decided to go back later and do the tour because it was $40 - expense! Then we headed to Kiwi House which is this place where all NZers go to watch NZ stuff in London. The game = absolute embarassment. I was just glad we werent in some english bar with psycho englishmen who would rub it in our faces! So that night I was exhausted and headed home to bed round 8.

Day 2 LONDON

Today was literally shopping shopping shopping. I was just exploring Shoreditch and came across this huuuge sunday market. It was awesome I went through all the cool vintage shops around here - really cool stuff. Set my eyes on a few pieces that I decided to come back and get later - if theyre still there then its meant to be.

Day 3

Today was more shopping. Literally about 7 hours of it - my absolute HEAVEN. Went to Oxford st and spent about 2 or 3 hours just in topshop! I was actually getting stressed at how big it was like HOW AM I GOING TO COVER ALL BASES when I get lost at every turn! It was EPIC. I bought a few things from one store and jeans from zara. went to Liberty this high end dept store and drooled over the Marc Jacobs and all other brands that I could never afford. so sad. So i just walked around other shopping areas til I found my way back to Oxford St. Must mention my continued mastering of the tube system. I really like it! So easy to use I feel like a total pro now

Day 4 TOURISTY CRAP

Today was devoted to touristy crap and MAN did I get a lot done. Sights I visited weerrreee:

Buckingham Palace
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
House of Parliament
Trafalgar Square
National Gallery

So amazing to see all these and MANY snaps were taken. I loved all of it. Then I went to Camden Markets and Portobello Rd Markets in Notting Hill. Had some dinner there then back to Shoreditch.

Then tonight I went out with my friend Laila's cousin who is a true Londoner. Such a fun night she took me to this new bar which was AMAZING. It was like mexican/havana type themed, had like a caravan you could sit in and the toilets were like beach bungalows, just so cool! The owner is her friend so free cocktails and mexican food were in abundance it was great. Now she has me all set to take me out to some other upscale areas for my birthday so looks like my 23rd birthday plans are set! Very excited she said at her local bar/cafe she just casually sits alongside Pixie Geldof, definitely have to check this area out.

Sooo finally got all that written out, hopefully can update my last days in London then I plan on heading off to Scotland woohooo!