20 June 2008

First Taste of Paris

Having finally checked in, we decide we'd have a shower and then explore a little.
We are a stones throw from Notre Dam, although they prefer you not to throw stones, tends to upset a few people. Having milled around at Notre Dam for 6 hours previously we decided to leave seeing the inside for another day.
Begging is rife outside ND, romanian girls all ask if you speak english then hand over a begging letter. Later these girls were escorted away by the police.
Paris is noisy, not just your average road noise with people added, but seriously noisy. The police use the excuse that they have a prisoner in the paddy wagon to wack on the siren and lights and scream around the streets. Blink on the road and some French man will sound his horn at you. Open your door on a cyclist and the clyclist will tell you to do things that are impossible. Run a cyclist over and the cyclist will ring their bell and point to their eyes.
The do impossible things suggestion brought a very quick response from the police, much whistle blowing and then some very stern talking to!
Crossing the street, at a pedestrian crossing, follow a french person, it's all in the hands of God otherwise.
We go and see the Crypte de Parvis. Very interesting archeological site underground near Notre Dam. Dates back to 1 century stuff, including quays that originally were on the side of the river.
We found a super market, very well hidden, seen a couple of mini marts, but only 1 super market, and it wasn't very big. Got breakfast and other essentials, like black current juice. Went to pay, some phantom customer in before us, two items, these gets scanned. Surly checkout bloke looks around in disgust when nobody pays. Next customer gets server. Phantom returns, with drinking yoghurt stuff, jumps the queue of 5 people then proceeds to find the smallest demonination coins in the purse to pay for it. Seriously folks 4 minutes to find enough euro cents to pay for 4 euros. Later these same people were seen drinking said youhurt outside of the shop, must have been an emergency.

No comments: