Saturday in Paris!!

Notes from Saturday :

After a late night on Friday, one'd have thought that Saturday was bound to be short. NOT!!! As had been the case in the previous two days, I woke up after just 4 1/2 hours of sleep at 7.30am. All the adrenalin pumping through me ensured that there would be absolutely no hint of tiredness!!

The plan for the day was to meet my aunt's friend, who'd come to India about 10 years back!! She was an American but had been in Paris for over 20 years. I'd briefed her on what all I'd done till then and she'd planned out a nice walking route through a few other places. We started with the Luxembourg Gardens and the beautiful Senate building. The garden is as beautiful as any other. Tons of summer revellers occupy each and every sunny spot on the grass. We wade through photo exhibitions, art exhibits and intricately carved sculptures. With my knowledgeable guide-friend for company, I get the complete history on each and every thing that I see. So in case you travel to Paris, you'd be well advised to take someone along in case you're interested in the stories behind the sights!

Two days prior, I didn't have the chance to go into the Church of Notre Dame. This day as well, the line was of anacondaic proportions. But once we stood in it, it moved quickly so we were in in like 10 minutes! And the Church is absolutely magnificent. At the time we entered, they just began a service and the music being played (using an organ I think), was almost intoxicating! I felt very moved by the energy of the place, and the music just added to the atmosphere! The scupltures and stained glass paintings outside and inside the Church tell their own stories. With my guide friend being an expert in these matters as well, I got some quick excerpts from the Bible on what some of them meant. Its surprising, the Church is not symmetrical when one looks from the front, and I would not have noticed it had I not been told, I'm too un-artsy for that!!

After the long and satisfying walk, it was time for the Bateaux Mouches (literally translated as Housefly Boat - I have no clue why!). It runs along the Seine and is supposed to be quite expensive. But the company where my aunt's friend works gave her a discount, and I was able to go on one for like 5 euros! The ride is quite Disneylandish, with running commentary on what we're seeing. People, drunk and sane alike, keep waving from the shore, and for me that was more of a highlight as compared to their explanations of all the monuments, which I had already seen on close quarters on foot! There are some Bateaux Mouches which are closed on the top (I went on an open one), and have tables on them for dinner and the like. These, I thought, would make for a perfect romantic night out for dinner - and if its raining, that'd just be dreamland!

By the time the Bateaux Mouches was done, it was 8.30pm. But still bright and sunny :)

Next stop, the Indian part of Paris (close to the Metro Station 'Louis Blanc'), to have an Indian meal with my almost-Indian friends, Jeanne & Marjolaine. I forget the name of the restaurant, but after the meal, I didn't really want to remember it either :P It was spicier than the spiciest Andhra food I have ever had!! (The proof of that is 6 trips to the loo the subsequent morning :P).. OF course, my almost-Indian friends were oblivious to it, coz they had Dosa and Paratha with plain coconut chutney! It was I who ordered a full meal, and bore the brunt of the spices. Nevertheless, it was a thouroughly enjoyable evening and I was happy to be treated to an Indian meal in Paris by Jeanne.

By the time we were done, it was past 11pm, and night had just descended upon the city (I know, finally!)... It was a beautiful sight, lights sparkling everywhere, a buzz in the air, being Saturday night, music playing in street corners... ahh I was loving each moment! As a took a walk back to the house, close to Place d'Italie, I felt a hint of tiredness creeping in. It had been a long last few days. Sunday was to be a relaxed day though, as I had covered pretty much all the major 'things to see'. Paris is a small city, concentrated quite heavily in the centre. The train stations are very close to each other and in all my walks, I found myself easily walking past 5-6 of them in one walk!

What did I do on Sunday...?? Comin up in the next post (which I've already typed out, but have to get the pics in order)!!