Paris - The Home Of Striking

Day one:

I had to get up early for the flight but I’m glad I didn’t feel too bad. As it turns out I was quite early but when I saw the line I was glad I did.

The flight was fast and I’m happy to say it took longer to walk through the terminal then get through passport control. There was a line for everyone else then EU citizens - I was through in around three minutes (thank you UK passport).

I somehow managed to get to the train and buy a ticket but then tripped up and fell on my bad knee. Feeling like a complete idiot I’m glad at least that the knee is fine.

I then went and checked into my hostel to take a nap but I must have been tired as I woke in time for dinner.

Day two:

This is what I would call a fail day.

I managed to buy metro tickets luckily this time the machine also allowed you to use English instructions which was good.

My first fail started when I got to the catacombs - I saw you could buy advance tickets online but only for days I had firm plans. I read if you got there early enough you could queue so I decided to do that. I managed to find the entrance easily enough and waited for about 10 minutes before someone came to tell us that the workers were on strike today and possibly tomorrow. I was disappointed but happy I was unable to pay for a skip the line ticket as other people who arrived just as I was leaving had paid €30!

My issues started here - I headed for the Eiffel Tower to get a pic with baby groot and stopped on the way at a gift store to buy a French flag. I then found that there was a lot of work going on in the area and I could not find an easy way on.

The night before I had decided to get a hop on hop off bus to reacquaint myself with the city. When I got on I realised I had lost my drink bottle again. Issue seems to be when I carry it around and have to put it down to look or buy something I leave it behind.

Anyway I kept going and headed to the Arc de triomphe which I had missed out on last time. It was truly amazing and so much more intricate then I had realised. I then decided to walk down the road to see all the stores before heading back to find my drink bottle. Luckily when I got there it was where I had left it!

At that stage it was getting into the late afternoon and decided to call it quits. I was feeling depressed at this stage but tried to remind myself that in each new city I should treat the first day as a get to know the city day. Anyway I finished off the evening with a nice dinner and watched some more of The Crown.

Day three:

Today was a pretty good day. I managed to get my train to Giverny to see Monet’s garden which had to be one of the highlights of the trip. The train was crowded though I’m glad I got a seat, apparently this is the place to visit on the weekend!

Hopping off the train I found this adorable bus and was glad I did as they went through the town and we saw some of the sites. I got to the gardens and luckily the queue was not long to buy a ticket - not sure why I didn’t buy one online.

Nothing I can say can better express how amazing the gardens are. All I can say is that if you are ever in Paris this should be one of the top things to do.

Heading back into town I decided to have an ice cream as I waited for my train back to pairs. The atmosphere was amazing until a couple of girls - I’m guessing early 20s sat down and started to argue. Apparently one of them wanted a pic together but didn’t want to ask anyone in case they stole her phone. They then loudly argued about taking selfies instead and their plans for the weekend. Annoying as no other customer decided to speak that loudly. At that stage I decided to wait instead at the station before getting on the train.

I decided again to eat out as it’s so cheap - €11 for a steak! I also decided to have a cocktail which cheered me up no end.

Unfortunately I then got an email from the French railways saying my train to Basial might be cancelled because of strikes that have been going on since April! I had no idea when I booked so I was not impressed especially as I won’t find out until 5pm the night before. After getting back to my hostel I found out I might be able to take another train on the same day or if all else fails get a bus to Basel and then take the train to Lucerne. Let’s just hope the bus is not full when I need to book it! Either way I emailed my hostel there who said I can check in anytime so at least I won’t be sleeping on the street if I get there past 11pm.

Day four:

I decided to take it easy today and take baby Groot to see the mini Statue of Liberty. Then take a walk along the river to finally get a pic of the Eiffel tower. I found a bench and read my book for a few hours. It was such a beautiful day I was tempted by a sign to go on a boat cruise.

As I headed towards the area I realised I had walked into tourist central with people everywhere. Deciding to have ice cream instead I was watching the river when a man came up to me with string asking if I was a human or animal. Knowing instantly it must be a trick I told him to leave me alone. Unfortunately this angered him and it was not until I stood up to leave that he went away saying I was an animal. After a quick google search apparently this is a well known bracelet scam. I was lucky to be left alone as other people were pulled and harassed plus I read one woman ended up giving up €20 just for them to go away!

I then decided to give up for the day and I headed home via the train information centre about my ticket on Thursday. Unfortunately until 5pm Wednesday night there is nothing I can do about it. I think the man said I can simply go on another train at a different time but could not get a clear answer. My only hope is that my train is not cancelled - fingers crossed!

Day five:

Tomorrow I’m visiting Disneyland so have decided to make sure I don’t do too much walking as there will be a lot tomorrow. After another sleep in I decided to avoid the metro today and walk to Sacré-Cœur for some people watching.

Luckily for me it was mainly in a straight line so I didn’t get lost. When I got there it was packed with tourists, I really need to remember that unlike NZ there are a lot of people.

As I started my walk up I saw the evil bracelet people again, one did pull on my arm but shouting at him and walking swiftly away made him back off. It was such a wonderful day I ended up sitting and watching the world go by as I read my book.

Heading up to the main entrance I was again targeted by scammers. I had been approached before by people wanting to me to sign a petition for the deaf but didn’t realise at the time it was a scam. I had googled the night before about scams in Paris and apparently it says when you sign you have to pay them money. Or they steal your purse / bag while you are distracted.

Before I went into the church I walked through a market that seemed to sell pate of different animals and bread. I ended up buying strawberries and cream which was amazing.

Finally going into the church I was blown away on how beautiful. I chose not to take pics as there was a sign plus google images will do better justice then what I will be able to take.

I then headed down and attempted to buy some stamps. Now you would think the gift shops would as they sell the postcards but no they don’t. After searching around someone told me they sell them in lotto and tobacco stores which is where I also found the third and final scam of the day.

The find the ball under the cup trick. Now everyone must know you can’t win from this but I was then intrigued as I saw a woman hand over €50! Concerned I told her it was a scam - she then tried to show me how it worked only to then realise she was part of it. I then decided to hightail it out and get some dinner.

Day five: Aka Disneyland Day

So the day has finally arrived when I could tick another park off my list. It was only last year that I decided to visit all Disneyland / Worlds in the world and that I could tick off two when I’m away. I’ve visited the LA park twice and I had been told not to have high expectations.

I managed to get there okay on the train - so funny as the train route has Mickey Mouse ears to show you are going the right way. Walking off the platform you are there at the entrance of the Disney area. Security was much more relaxed but the man was confused at my electric fan until I turned it on.

The first thing I spotted walking to the smaller park was this tee shirt. I love Donald Duck and have felt the same frustration as him when trying to navigate the metro so I had to buy it. Walking into the entrance of the park you can see how it has been modeled on the California Adventure Park with the same Mickey and Walt statue and Hollywood backdrop.

If you’ve ever been to a Disneyland / world you will know there are just as many stores as rides and I was drawn to one almost straight away. I collect the Disney pin and was looking at them when I saw baby Groot! I was intending to leave my shopping until later but knew I had to get him then and there - and luckily I did as no other store I went into had one.

I went on a number of rides which were fun but was disappointed in the park as a whole. It looks dated and needs a serious refresh in terms of paint and general outlook. I then made the mistake of going on a behind the scenes ride which was terrible! I did, however, see the live Disney Show with Mickey Mouse and a handful of other characters singing and dancing. Elsa was Frozen was the firm favourite with a lot of happy kids.

After some lunch I decided to head to the other park. I hit up my second all time favourite ride - hyperspace mountain. I love how as it’s in the dark you don’t know what’s coming so can’t get scared! I then got in a line to go on what I thought was the Star Wars ride, however, waiting in line 20 mins I realised it was simply to get a pic with Darth Vader which you then had to pay a minimum of €20 to have a copy.

I then headed over to it’s a small world after all - I think it’s a wonderful ride and I love the sentiment. Waiting for the ride was another matter. I was waiting in line and swung my bag around, a man behind me then yelled “fuck your bitch” as apparently my bag hit him. I was shocked and got upset as it was not on purpose and it was such an extreme reaction. Anyway getting off the ride I found some ice cream and cheered myself up.

While having a rest I found out my train had indeed been cancelled. I, however, managed to change the ticket to another earlier in the day. This cheered me up as well as I was feeling anxious as to how I would get to Lucerne if my train was cancelled.

I then went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and then got a fast pass onto Indiana Jones. It was 10 minutes until I could go in the ride only to then find out it had been closed due to a thunder alarm. A few had gone down that afternoon and now I knew the reason. I waited almost 45 mins before giving up. I did find it rude that a visitor had a go at staff for it being closed down, demanding that it should be opened again at 7pm. Yet it’s not like the staff member could change the weather. I understand it being annoying but have a go at the people who work there.

Anyway I had a good day considering the mean man and the weather shutting down the rides. I will though say that I would not go again. It does not have the magic of the California park and it felt like a rip off. Saying that I’m glad I came.

Next park I will be visiting will be Tokyo in mid September.

Day six:

I was awoken at 4am in the morning by my roommate's alarm clock. Would not be so bad as that I had to wake her up to ask her to turn it off. Not even apologising she then pressed the snooze button and it went off again 10 mins later.

I somehow managed to get to sleep again and woke up much later. I was so tired I could not deal with the thought of going out. So I stayed in repacking and read before heading off to the mall. As I had discovered that I have run out of clean tee shirts and shorts. I was not able to do washing at this stage I decided to buy more.

Getting there I also found the LEGO store! They had no exclusive minifigures so just ended up making some to take home for a friend and I. I then hit up H&M and managed to find some clothes that fit - being chubby in Paris is bad when clothes shopping.

I then headed home and managed to get some sleep.