Paris and all that jazz..

Ah Gay Paris! Exactly what I needed, a nice girly holiday with Mum, to a place we both had not visited before. The place is full of history, culture and simply experiencing Paris for all its glory and sins has given us, mum and daughter, a whole new set of memories to cherish forever more.

The city has its fair share of fans and haters, but for all the pomposity and showmanship, it has class, debonair and eccentricity that makes the city of love all the more alluring to a tourist, well it certainly intrigued me.

The trip was all the more special for mum being there, as I rarely see her- because she lives in Singapore. Girls just wanna have fun! And boy did we! We arrived in Paris in the wee hours of the morning-British time 6am, French time 7am.

My knowledge of French, is limited and fairly basic, mum's non-existence. I can read French, holding a conversation, however, err let's not go there. So it fell upon me to be the Navi. As soon as we got there, we weren't disappointed, started our holiday travelling on the metro to our hotel, a street musician boards the the train looking to make a quick euro by waking up the morning commuters.
Not the best idea in my opinion trying to wake up a bunch sleepy French people, needless to say he went away without a cent. He'd earn a bit more if he sold
coffee instead.                                                         

 

Talking about coffee, we certainly enjoyed the cafe culture was relaxing and it had to be done- when in Rome, I mean when in Paris!                                We went around the usual tourist routes, tour bus and so and so fort. I did however convince my mother to take a late night trip down to the famous windmill in the land- Moulin Rouge! Yes, rather naughty and not seeded as you may think, after all I was with my mother! She's cool, we had a laugh walking around Paris red light district (during the day time initially). We were waiting to cross the street, stood outside what we later deduced was a pole-dancing club. The bouncers were beckoning us to go inside and take a look. No way! We giggled like two school girls and dashed across to patisserie.

Our hotel was located in the an area called Monmarte. It was a beautiful , hilly location with historic buildings dotted around the area. It's main attraction was the Basilica Monmarte., a uniquely designed catholic church with a stunning view of the city.     

Another first, we had our portraits drawn by a couple lovely street artists.

We stood there with in the lovely sunshine, down a cobbled alley way beside Monmarte church. They were every so sweet and funny and me being me, asking loads of questions. The guy who drew my picture- Andy, was a native to the district. his grandfather used to own the restaurant that was behind us. The guy who drew mum's picture- Boris, a Russian friend of Andy's and they work together getting a few euros to get by as artists. I admire them for doing what the want, and I personally thought they were good.
Mum and strolled off with our pencil sketches and merged back into the tourist crowds. Souvenirs shops, wandering the ancient pavements and side streets. Pungent metro stations and back to our hotel rooms, worn out but not defeated-yet. We'd drop the shopping bags in our room and head for the cafe for some drinks and food. It was during our midnight stroll,
I found out that my mum was better at finding the way back than I was..

I'd say that was a brilliant getaway. Paris was fun! London's still my favourite city! Wink wink nudge nudge aye! I dare say some French might find the Brits interesting?! If this union jack topped red bently is anything to go by!