Sitting in a park in Paris, France...

So... I have been in Paris now for a week. Before I left, talking to people there seemed to be 2 basic opinions of Paris. "It sucked" & "It was amazing". I definitely fall into the latter category.

I love this city.

I haven't once found the people rude or arrogant (someone pointed out that this could be because I am rude and arrogant, and therefore don't notice when others are). The French are great! After the initial shock of having to actually attempt to speak French to the native speaking, I am finding that I can make do with the few paltry phrases & words I have picked up. I also find that if you at least try to speak French, or politely ask them in French if they speak English - you get a positive response and a smile.

I was standing in line behind some Americans who just launched into English when served at the counter. The man serving was not impressed. I think assuming that they'll understand our pissy English language is what gets their goat.

What amazes me most about Paris is how large it is. Almost none of the buildings are above 4 or 5 stories, but almost everyone of them is gorgeous (like these below). Across the skyline there are only one or two skyscrapers, as some clever French committee decided a while ago that big buildings would ruin the beauty of the city and the existing landmarks. Good move.



The other thing you notice is how close all the cars park together. I was walking along outside Musee Rodin, and there were 20 cars parked on the side of the road, so close together that I could not even walk between them! How on earth do they get in and out? Actually, later on I watched a guy park in a spot that was only about a foot and a half bigger than his car. He took about 15 points to manouvre the car into the spot. The other thing they tend to do is 'touch park'. This is when they reverse until they hit the car behind, then go forward till they hit the car in front, then back etc...! This happens all over the city!

Speaking of driving oddities, the Arc de Triomphe is set in the middle of a roundabout at an intersection of 13 roads. There are no lane markings and basically no rules. It is one of the most insane things you'll see in Paris. It is said that there is an accident there, on average, every 6 minutes. It's so bad that no insurance company in the world covers an accident that occurs on this roundabout.

There is a section at the North West fringe of the city called La Defence which is basically the business district. This is where Paris decided to build it's big commercial buildings. It was all designed at the same time, so the area as a distinctly uninteresting feel, as the designs are all vaguely similiar. Someone told me that is like looking at what the future would look like - if you were living in 1982! The net result is that it is all a little dated. It does however, also have a modern arch called Le Grande Arche that is directly in line with the Arc de Triomphe (which is kinda cool).

I've done almost all the tourist stops now. Been to the Musee D'Orsay, Musee du Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Hotel Des Invalides, Sainte Chappelle, Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, Champ Elysees and Napoleons Tomb to name just a few! There is just way too much to see in this city.

Well, enough for now - I'm off to pay my respects to the Lizard King...