So today started off early… waking up just as the sun rose over the city. I stood out on the balcony of the hotel, and watched the city wake up.
It was so calming and serene…in a city that bustles with activity day after day, hour after hour…to sit there and watch the sun rise and enjoy the beauty of Paris was calming, beautiful and peaceful.
Well, even though I could've stood on the balcony the entire day, just watching the world go by, I decided that it was finally time to get up and moving around...and so headed north towards Montemartre…the site of Sacre Coeur…
Which...by the way, is at the top of the highest point of Paris. So that means, not only do you get to look at an example of beautiful architecture and a highly spiritual site, but it also has one of the most FABULOUS view of the city as well….
You can see just about all of Paris from these steps. And apparently I’m not the only person who knows this, since there were hundreds of others, sitting on the steps, enjoying the same view. In the background played a harpist, and along the sidewalk, various others sold their wares (purses, key chains, etc…). Don’t worry…I behaved myself when it came to the handbag salesperson…I only have so much room in my carry on for souvenirs.
After winding my way around Sacre Coeur…I meandered towards the artist square at Montemarte.
And enjoyed the performers as I continued to walk through the streets…
After leaving the Montemartre district of Paris, and after 5 days of absolute pain, I finally decided to give into my wallet and head back towards the Champs de Elysees to purchase that which would relieve me of my pain………new shoes.
Now tell me…can you deny how absolutely sexy and saucy these are……really?
However, despite the sexy, saucy new shoes on my feet…I did discover one other fabulous way to help my feet on the road to recovery…
Yup...that's me...soaking my my feet in the fountain at the Louvre.
Oh! Did I say The Louvre?? Why….yes, I did!!
Hey...it's Paris...how can you not?
After a brief visit to the infamous Louvre, it was time to start the process of making my way towards the train station to head back to London. I find it ironic that the first thing I saw of Paris this morning was the sunrise...and as I head into the Gare Nord station, the last thing of Paris I see is the sunset. Poetic...no?
So I sat on the train…and watched the darkness zip past as we made our way through The Chunnel. 2 fabulous days in Paris…and still 2 more full days in London. I have to admit that I am just about at the point where I’m ready to go home…but despite my homesickness, there is still plenty to see and do and with purple kicks on my feet, I’m ready to take on the world.
OK…maybe not The World….but the East end of London to be certain…
So now it’s after 2 in the morning…I was just about ready to throw in the towel and go to sleep when I decided to turn on the telly…and what to my wondering eyes should appear, but AMERICAN FOOTBALL!!! They’re showing the live broadcast of the Giants/Colts game. On British network TV! HOLY CRAP!!!
Now, the announcer did just make a comment saying that this time of morning is normally reserved for either porn, poker or home shopping. I don’t exactly know where amongst the three the Brits feel that the NFL falls into…but at this point, I’m going to find me an all night convenience store, pick up a six pack of beer (oh yeah…did I mention that you can buy beer here 24 hours a day???!!!) and just enjoy being an American in London for awhile…(instead of an Englishman in New York…for all of you not in touch with your Sting side…).
Have I mentioned how much I love London???
