Lost In Paris Day 3

Salut friends,

As I am about to start my second full day in Paris, I started off by writing the previous day's blog. While I sipped on a coffee made in our room, while eating a leftover doughnut. The Ex went downstairs to try out the breakfast buffet. When he came back, he told me it was quite a feast, and I should have joined. I should have, but I had things to do.

To get our day started we took The Metro down to the Bastille. Which once was this fantastic castle and prison. Sadly, it no longer exists, but now stands a fantastic monument. After taking some pictures and reading up on the monument, I spotted somewhere I could get another cup of coffee, and do something I was going to do anyway. We stopped at a McDonald's.

I don't make it a habit of eating at places I know, I just like to check it out to see the difference in menus and pricing. I thought I would just order a simple cheese burger or such, but seeing how expensive it was and there was no saver menu, I got something I thought would have stopped being made at that time. I got myself an Egg and McMuffin, and a latte, and enjoyed the little carrier bag and tray it came in. While I ate it was great to just enjoy a nice warm meal, and even though I wasn't blown away with anything, it was still nice.

While we were checking out the monument of the Bastille I noticed the video game store I had seen around town, and we went in and checked it out. I hoped I would find some cheap gems, sadly, there weren't any deals on anything I didn't already own. I just appreciated that I was able to walk into a video game shop, compared to home, where there are very few that aren’t a CeX.

Afterwards we continued to walk down the street, just taking in the shops. Where we saw some names we recognised, as during the previous day we hadn’t really seen a lot of international chains, but this street changed all of that. What I enjoyed the most was seeing an Orange shop. As in, the futures bright, the future's Orange for my readers have that deep in their memory somewhere. While also seeing a JD sports and Footlocker. Eventually we came across this department store.

As I was on the lookout for bottled water, and birthday gifts I hoped this place would have one or two things I could get. It was a nice shop, but it was ridiculous how high some things were priced for some of the more basic stuff we get in England. However, I did find one or two things, and if I had more space in my bag I would have gotten a few things to take home with me. Eventually it was time for us to make our way to our second stop of the day.

We took a walk through the streets, and after buying a bottle of water, I found a water fountain. As we passed the cafe’s we looked for good deals just in case we wanted to return to any of them for lunch or dinner. We reached a lover bridge that gave us a clear view of our destination, Notre Dame. As we walked towards it, we saw all the different stalls selling everything from normal tourist stuff, to works of art and tote bags. Till eventually we stood outside the place itself.

I’m not going to lie after being there it definitely has made me want to watch The Hunchback again, and see how in the hell he got around this massive place. Even though I knew it was going to be open, it didn't stop the mass of people around it taking as many pictures as they could. While also reading what was going on with restoration and its history. Not being able to go inside was a bummer, but it gives me more than enough reason to visit again.

Then we took a walk towards another destination, one we have here, but on the way we stopped at the square of Tour Saint-Jacques to sit down, have a drink of water, and recuperate. Then we left to carry on, and on the way we passed our third Starbucks. Feeling tired, I decided I needed a coffee, so I got one, and a piece of cookies and cream cake, and enjoyed that as a little snack. I also did something I never do, I gave my full name to the barista, and when name was called it was said with a beautiful French accent. Not like in London where my name is violently butchering. Then we continued to walk and reached Westfields.

It was odd going into a shopping centre and not recognising any of the brands inside it. As I was looking for gifts I walked into a men’s clothing stop called, Celio Be Normal, decided to get myself some underwear, I always need new ones. Then we went to this big massive electrical store called FNAC. With all the latest phones on display, and working models. While also having a seriously impressive video game section. With the actual accessories on the shelf in all different colours. Which was amazing, because it reminds me of a time when I used to see it everywhere.

Then we went to the toilet, and once again we had to pay. This time however, it was on 75c, and unlike the last one the last 25c really did help with upkeep. While it also only accepts cash, lucky for me I decided to bring some on the holiday. I paid to pee again and I hope it’s the last time I have to do it.

Then we eventually found the Lego store. Which I was glad to find didn’t have a queue like the one in London. It was exactly the same, excited kids asking for expensive sets. While I was just seeing what I could treat myself too. I know which sets I want, but they didn't seem to be in stock. While I did find one set for myself, the Paris diagram. Which I feel will be nice for my second set. While admiring their reconstructions of the Paris Landmarks in Lego. Even though I only got a little set I was given the biggest bag. I just regret not getting some of the marvel minifigs.

Then we decided to check out UniQlo, and on the way we passed a Korean restaurant, which was doing Bibimbap at a decent price, so suggested we go there for dinner. In UniQlo I forget their price tags show all the currencies, so it was good to see the price was the same back home as it is in Paris. Whenever I go to a clothes stop I find the sales section, and I was able to find a nice top that might be a little too big, but it was steel so I had to have it.

From there we found our way to one of the gay bars. The Labo was a nice little place, the screens were constantly showing some random things, which were interesting, but weird. As for our waitress, I tried to speak a bit of French and still messed it up, but she spoke English, and I loved her whole look. Shaved head, tattooed head and long pointy nails. I ordered the happy hour cocktail, which I felt didn't have too much alcohol in it, but by the time I got to the bottom of the second one I could truly feel myself being myself. The whole vibe of the place was nice. A mixture of people, pop music from about 10 years ago. Overall it was a good experience.

Then we were off to dinner at the Korean restaurant called Jan 짠 Which had a more adult vibe of the place i like to go in Soho. I ordered the bibimbap and it was just how I remembered it, it took me a while to finish it, because if you hadn't noticed, i haven't really been eating properly. But eventually I finished it, and The Ex made a mistake with his order as it wasnt spicy, or flavourful, and was eating my leftovers.

After eating, we left to get the metro back to the hotel. Which was easy enough to do, just one change and we would be back. Sadly the train decided to terminate before the station we had to change at. Then there weren't going to be any more trains on the line, but as luck would have it we got a new train, just as we worked how to get back. Then it was time for me to pack as tomorrow would be our last day, and needed to be gone by 11.

With tomorrow being our last day, and so much to see and so much money to spend. Shame the weather was going to change again. But I’ll make the most out of the bad situation. Optimism!

A bientôt FabEs