It was just on dusk as we were ascending the spire but becuase we were packed in like sardines and also the steel framework, our view was partially obscured going up. It is 1050 feet high. We stayed up there for a good hour watching Paris fade from a geometric design of grey/brown buildings and streets to a glitter of lights spread almost as far as the eye could see. Pete and I used the vantage point to pick out familiar landmarks from our visit in Sept 2000 and to further orietate ourselves ready for the next day's sightseeing. The River Seine is outlined in street lighting and the tour boats that ply the river appeared as sea green steaks of flurescent light moving up and down. Lietta was suitably impressed and especially awed by the size of Paris. She commented on how she used to think Christchurch was big from when she first saw it from the Port Hills but in comparison to Paris, Chc is just a village.
The following day, we headed off to a particular market we had stumbled across last time, Marche Levis (or Levi Martket to us), and stumbled across one or two others along the way. It was interesting to watch the housewives doing their shopping as it is in such contrast to the British housewife or house husband. The French buy most of their groceries as fresh produce as opposed to the pale skinned, sickly looking Anglo Saxons across the channel who buy 90% of their groceries in processed form (low in sodium, 95% less fat, no additives, not genetically modified etc but processed non-the-less). Beggars and street people are everywhere you go, employing all manner of gimmicks to get us to part with our money. One guy had a clarinet and a Suzy dog who sang!
We had a bit of a shopping spree. We bought perfume, aftershave moisturizer, shoes, leather handbag, clothes and souvenirs between us. Pete and I used our Global Plus card which has been lying dormant for the past year or more. We had enough air points for a flight to Australia (from NZ) but after the Paris trip there should be just about enough for 2 free flights. We will send a £100 cheque back to the BNZ every month and have it paid off in no time - well, that's the theory. We had a beautiful dinner in a tiny wee restaurant just across the street from our hotel that came to 92 Euros - on our credit card statement, that equates to $191.50!*@"#.
Actually, we thought of you guys that evening because I made another 'delayed action' clanger..... Everything was written in French (you don't have to state the abvious because many were in both French and English) and Lietta and I were having trouble deciphering some of the words. We had already made eye contact with the couple sitting opposite us and they seemed very nice and friendly so I decided to ask them to translate the menu for us. The lady handed it to the man, who studied it carefully then said in English with a German inflection, "No, I can't read it either". From then on, Pete said everytime we went into a cafe or brasserie, "Where are some Germans to translate the menu?" He also said he must tell Bruce.
Oh, but I love Paris. We will probably go back again next year. In the meantime, Tuscany is on hold. Don & Jill were having to bring the boys because they are just a tad too young to leave on their own for a week, especially easily-lead Hayden, therefore it meant we had to have our holiday during the school break (August). We started making enquiries into the price of flights and renting a villa for 7 days and the buggars double their prices for the school holidays. Pete and I still very much want to go and since we have another 2 weeks leave to use this year we may still be able to go on our own in September. In the meantime, Don's colleague at the radio station has a villa in Spain that he has often said to Don he is welcome to hire (reduced rate) any time. Pete & I had talked about doing Tuscany this year and Spain next year so it doesn't matter which way around we do it - they should still be there for awhile yet.
Transport What-ever-they-call-themselves in Palmerston North faxed over a copy of my Certificate of Particulars and with that I am about to send away my application for a UK licence with my Passport showing that I'm an illegal immigrant and hope that they give me a British licence. It;s great having Pete to drive me around everywhere because it's so scarey driving in this crazy country but there are times when I could do with the car for myself. I'm going to ask one of the managers at work to sign the back of my photo and complete the form solomnly declaring he has known me for a least 2 years and if he has told lies he agrees to go to jail and/or pay a huge fine. I'm sure Paul will do that for me. Nothing is easy over here. If you think the government like making it complicated in New Zealand, try Great Britain!
Pete and I are going walking in the Cotswolds tomorrow. My friend Trish and her husband Nigel were supposed to be coming too but they have both been crook last week and don't think they will be able to handle 14 miles. Till next time then..... It wont be so long as last time because I have told Pete he has done enough work on the work web site in his (our) free time and he can tell Terry, his boss, that he has been ordered to spend more time with me AND let me use the computer for 5 minutes. Pete reckons they are scared of me at his work but Terry has only once done what I told him to do. That was invite partners to the Christmas doo.