It was a Sunday and apparently most shops won't be open as shops opening hours are still regulated in France. I decided to try my luck anyway so I headed for one of the shopping streets near the hotel. On the way there, I came across a Sunday farmer's market where you could do all your food shopping in one go.
I read a few travel books of people that moved to Paris to live and they all kept going on and on about rotisserie chickens from markets so obviously I *had* to try it too.
Obligatory baked goods stall obviously.
My obligatory purchase which I scoffed in seconds. It was tres good. How cute is the granny in the background???
I was amused to see a paella stand, much like the one in the French Market back home in Auckland.
The food stalls slowly gave way to ones that sold clothing, toys, etc.
I decided to do what the French would do and go zone out in a park with my chicken.
Hello half a chicken. You were a tad dry in places and just basically a roast chook. I scoffed the leg in under five minutes and then got up to go soon after. First attempt at being a Parisian? Fail!
Paris slowly waking up.
I was delighted to see the unexpected gaming icons on Parisian buildings as they have them in London too. You would have thought Parisians would find it tacky.
Apparently not because I found a few more on my journeys.
Bubble Bobble used to be my favourite game and I would play the 100 levels over and over again to try and beat my own best score.
Also saw a chicken place and this again amused me as chicken outlets are very common in London and popular after a night out with the gerbils.
I guess there are bad eggs even among the chic Parisians. Adult shops nestled among historical buildings!
The shops were most definitely not open so I changed tack and decided to do the touristy stuff. I jumped on the Metro and went to the Montmartre area. I got out of the Metro station and came across another Sunday market but this time, a flea market which is famous in Paris. This was just a tiny neighbourhood one though.
As they say, someone's trash is another person's treasure. I couldn't see myself treasuring someone's castoffs though so I gave Paris's largest and famed flea market a miss. A correct decision, judging by the wares for sale at this market.
I did spy a YSL suit though!
These chestnut sellers were everywhere on the streets of Paris. Wish I bought some now!
While I was negotiating the crowds at the market, this twenty-odd years old dude brushed past me and our eyes met. I turned my head to see if he was checking me out (as you do!) and he was and took that as me reciprocating interest! He turned around and started walking next to me. So I said yes? He started sprouting french so I trotted out my well used Je ne parle pas Francais. Parlay vous Anglais? Turned out he could speak Spanish, German and French but not English. Our love is not meant to be. I said Enchante and started to move on. He then said Je'taime I lurve you! Haha... I said nice try buddy and left. Amusing.
I needed a toilet break again so I went into Mackers and was seduced by the familiar.
Even if the familiar has an exotic sounding name in France. Oh and amusing story 2 - while I was waiting to order, being the butterfingers that I was, I dropped first my earphones and then my camera's lens cap. After I picked them up, this French guy waiting for his order said to me in English (charmingly of course) - are you sure you are done? Maybe your purse or your handbag? I blushed prettily and we lived happily ever after.... except he has a kid with him. So I laughed and did a shrug that said What can ya do? Heheh.
After a lunch that I really didn't need, I wandered slowly up the cobbled streets towards the church on top of the hill.
At the top of these stairs, I was greeted by a lady with a clipboard looking for donations. She was deaf and mute. I tried to brush her off but she was insistent. So I caved and signed my name and opened my coin section. She shook her head vehemently and I thought cheeky bugger wanted a note. Again, I capitulated and looked for a 5 dollar euro note. Finding none, I reluctantly gave her a 10. The bi@tch started gesturing and turning her clipboard around to show me a sign saying $20 Euro!! That was when I finally lost my temper. I raised my voice and said you can't force me to give more than I want and you can't tell me how much to give. It's freaking charity!!! She looked taken aback. I wonder if she was faking it! Bloody scammer!!!! Damn it.
Anyway I stepped off the staircase and was greeted by a very charming art market with artists peddling their wares and drawing portraits of suckers like this lady.
Again, there were idiotic (asian) bride and grooms getting their wedding photos taken. Again, I mocked them in my head and muttered "Imbecile" in what I call my French accent under my breath as I passed them by haha.
On the way to Sacre Couer, the church on top of the hill.
The streets were all lined with souvenir shops selling tacky mementos of Paris. I didn't buy any. This place kinda reminded me of the area in Macau where the facade of St Paul's was.... except there were no cookie shops and endless samples to be had. *sad face*
The obligatory gargoyle guarding the place.
I went inside for a bit and the beauty and the atmosphere of the church literally brought tears to my eyes. They had short services on repeat where a dude spoke from a speaker in French for a few minutes and then they had a couple of hymns. I didn't understand a single word obviously but still drew comfort from it. I came out into the bright sunshine and was greeted by the view of Paris laid out at my feet. The place was packed with people, again just sitting there for hours on end. I tried again, to also sit and just chill. Again, I failed. Heheh.
I headed back down the hill. There was the lazy option of the tram catering for people like my mother!
There was a Pylones at the foot of the hill. Pylones is a French cutesy shop that we also have in Auckland. How hip is Auckland??!
I hopped back on the Metro after this and headed off to Champs Elysees. I was determined to find it this time and when I got to the same crossroads, I asked the info center there for the direction. It turned out that I should have gone left instead of straight ahead like I did the day before. Oh well, better late than never.
Hello Arc du Triomphe.
Obviously I had to visit LV. Obviously.
Doesn't she look real? It's just a mannequin though, of the Japanese artist that collaborated with LV on its latest designs. The scarf I wanted was sold out. Darn it. I found this out after waiting for EONS for a sales assistant to serve me. So annoying.
Next on my touristy trail was La Tour Eiffel of course! On the way there I passed the motorway where Princess Diana was killed.
Monsieur and Madam La Imbecile
At least they were better looking than the other ones I'd seen.
Interestingly enough, the steel has a pinkish hue to it. Who knew?
The line to buy tickets was ridiculously long so I bought an ice cream and left.
Jumped back on the tube and headed for Chinatown this time around. This sight of people sitting at tables outside a cafe amused me. This is obviously a common sight all around Paris and it was the same in Chinatown except they were all Asians. Yes, I am easily amused.
This restaurant was my destination. I read on a blog that this lady had THE best pho ever here so I thought I would come and try it too.
I am not a pho fan so I could take it or leave it to be honest. What impressed me and made me really jealous was that all the vietnamese waiters and waitresses at the establishment spoke French!!! I want to as well...
That was the end of Day 2. I got back to the hotel by 8ish and collapsed into bed in exhaustion once again. Final day coming up. Sob sob.
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