Paris - La Defense

Well here I am in Paris.

Getting to the airport in the hirecar was an interesting experience, but Gaby Garmin did her job well. However she fell down at the last minute through no fault of her own. The Dublin airport is undergoing a massive upgrade, and there are witches hats everywhere and everything is relocated. I had a few major panic attacks before I eventually found the Sixt (name of HireCar place) depot. Luckily I had allowed lots of time, and the traffic was kind to me on the way out to the airport.

Just as well I offloaded those books yesterday. I had to pay excess luggage on Aer Lingus today. The lady behind the desk said I was 5 kgs overweight but she only charged me for 3. But at 12 Euros per kg, that was another 36 Euros down the gurgler...!!

The rest of the trip was uneventual. Good flight across, only took about 90 mins. Had another mini panic attack when the person arranged to pick me up (through the travel agent) was not there. But I had his phone number, and we made contact, and all was well in the world again. He drove me to the Hilton La Defense which I'm discovering is in an interesting part of Paris.

I haven't really been able to get my bearings yet, because I only arrived about 5pm, and it was starting to get dark... even though I gained an hour again from Ireland. I'm back to 7 hours behind Perth and 9 hours behind Melbourne.

La Defense is an area in Paris where skyscraper buildings are allowed. The centre of Paris does not allow high buildings, but they've made up for it in this area. There is massive structure just outside the hotel called Grande Arche. The photo I'm including below doesn't do it justice. I'll try to get a better one tomorrow.

If you stand of the steps of the Grand Arche you can see the Arc de Triomphe. Again the pic isn't all that clear. Maybe tomorrow in the full daylight I can pick it up
better.

Look right in centre of pic to see Arc de Triomphe

Having dinner tonight proved to be another one of those little challenges that are there to try the intrepid traveller. I've been spoilt in Ireland, because they eat my type of food! Meat and vegies - and loads of it. And I've been spoilt in the last few days as I've had my dinner cooked up and presented to me at Mary's house.
Even down at Lahinch I felt very comfortable at the Shamrock Inn with my boys.

But now I'm in a different country, where there is a different language spoken and a different style of food served.

When I arrived I went for a walk around and there is a big shopping centre almost in the centre of this building. But it was a bit early for dinner, especially as I had gained an hour in time, so my next priority was to get a beer. Didn't want to get one at the Hilton, as the costs are outlandish....So I found this Brasserie which looked nice, so I went in and the man
behind the bar spoke English and so I asked for a beer. That's where the complications set in! What sort of beer...??? None of them sounded familiar so he suggested a French beer and I agreed. But then when it came to paying there are 2 costs... one if you stand at the bar, (2 Euros 70) and one if you sit down(4 Euros 40). What a decision... I opted for the cheap one of course, then felt like a real dork standing at the bar drinking my beer. But there were some bar stools so I asked the lady if I could sit on them and that was OK. The lady was very nice and explained that in France that is always the way. I've learnt something new again today.

Then came the dinner saga. it was still too early for dinner so I went back to my room to see what I could sus out. There are a heap of food places in the basement of the hotel, but none of them were opened. I saw one nice place in the big food court but wasn';t sure what it offered. There were lots of people drinking there, but no-one was eating.

Shopping centre in middle of hotel. Pic taken from inside elevator

Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and eat at the Hilton dining room. So I went in and got seated and got the menu, and all of a sudden there was this almighty row coming out of the kitchen... some guy was shouting really loudly at some other poor bugger. It went on for quite a long time. I felt a bit uneasy, because there was only one other person in the dining room. The girl came to take my order (all the dishes were quite expensive) and I asked her what the vegies were, and she was almost too scared to go into the kitchen... Anyway, she came back eventually and said they were carrots, fennel and celery. Byt this time it all got a bit much for me, so I told her I was going somewhere else. It's no good paying 30 Euro for a piece of meat with not much else.

So, I went and got my coat and went back to the Brasserie. It was a lovely atmosphere inside there - much better than that Hilton dining room. The waiter was interesting..... he had the typical French arrogance. The dinner was OK - steak and fries and salad (by this time I'd given up on my vegies). I had a glass of wine and coffee and it came to 25 Euros 80 - reasonable price. But I didn't have change so I gave him 50 Euro note. And he was very reluctant to give me any change... Maybe he thought because I didn't speak French I also couldn't work the money.... I was on to him. I did give him a tip, but there was no way I was going to give him that much. I am but a poor teacher after all!!!!

I thought I wouldn't have much to say today, but there's always something happening when you travel.

Tour starts tomorrow night, and I think I'm glad I'll be with a group again here in France. I must admit I feel a little uneasy here - not scared, just wary, so I'll be glad to have a few people around. Different to Ireland where I just felt absolutely at home.

I think my days of free Internet are over... have to pay here and almost certainly will as I travel through France. Ah well, I've come this far with this blog I might as well finish it off.

Home in Perth on Nov 18 - a few people have asked when I'm back. Not rushing - still having too good a time! :)