PARIS... je'taime...

For as long as I can remember I've had pictures of Paris scattered around my house. I wanted to roam the cobble stone streets in Old Paris, eat croissants and as cliche as it may sound... Kiss my love under the Eiffel Tower.

After only being in France for a month, it was time to head off to the fashion capital and the most romantic city in the world!!

So many people have told me that Paris was far from meeting their expectations. The Frenchies I know here, well, let's just say not everyone in France thinks highly of Parisians... I don't know whether it was just the excitement or my absolute enchantment for the city, but I couldn't share everyone elses judgments. I mean sure, people can be rude. They'll shove past you without even giving you a second thought. Haha, and you can forget about any kind of apology! But it's almost the same in any major city that you visit. I have no idea why Paris should be an exception to that.

We stayed in Bastille, which was a nice 2 minute stroll from the Gare de Lyon train station. Our Hotel was actually slightly different to what we had seen on the internet, but it really didn't matter... We were in PARIS! The bed was super comfy and we had a nice little view of the typical town house apartments across the street.

We got out to explore that afternoon, and despite the cold, it was everything I expected.

Even though Jonathan is French he'd only been to Paris once or twice as a youngin. To my surprise, he was more touristy than me!! He grabbed the maps and planned out where we'd go and what we'd see. Everything you want to see in Paris is lit up at night too so you can't possibly complain that there isn't enough daylight to see everything. Paris has a different feel at night. If I had to pick, I'd choose to explore the city once the sun is set... The little imperfections of the city are hidden and the atmosphere is magical. Even more magical exploring the city with someone you love...

Notre Dame was our first touristy monument we saw in Paris. To be honest - words failed me and my neck ached just from looking up at it towering into the sky!! Our photos do no justice for the intricate and detailed carvings. At night it all looked so gothic, it was really amazing. We had just missed the tour going through Notre Dame and each time we went to go back the line to get in was unbelievable!! Just one reason to return to Paris...

The Seine River was a beautiful foreground for the glowing Eiffel Tower in the background and just next to that was The Louvre. Surprisingly there was just a handful of people wandering in and out. With the minus 0° temps I really couldn't blame people for staying some place warm and toasty! But the scene was definitely set because of one man playing a cello under the enormous arches of The Louvre. We went back the very next day to see Mona in all of her glory and that was another thing off the list.

We got to the Eiffel Tower just as the sun was going down... And just between you and me, I swear I almost peed my pants with excitement!! We barley got close to the Eiffel Tower and we were swarmed with people selling cheap tourist crap. I didn't know it then, but that was JUST the start of it. Not one word of a lie here but EVERY 30 seconds someone would come up to you... They ask you not once, not twice but 3 times if you want to buy their cheap touristy crap. Jo had so much more patience than me, politely declining their offers every time. But... It was all made better with a wonderful cheesy kiss under the Tower...

We saw so much in Paris that my expectations were completely fulfilled. I just can't keep typing coz I really could go on for days. The food, the people, the places... And even the subway, which I strongly advise NOT to ride if you value your personal space!! The crepes and the 5kg pots of Nutella, the snow that fell on our third day and the person I got to share it all with made Paris one of the most beautiful places in the world...

The Number ONE........

Ok, so after much procrastinating; finding some free time and avoiding my apprehension to use this french key board... here i am to write my very first blog of my travels. I hope the one person who follows me on here appreciates this - simply because it's all for her!

Saying goodbyes aren't exactly my favorite thing. Having to say goodbye to my best friend and my dear Mum at the airport wasn't my idea of a great time but it had to be done. Tears were shed and after looking back 20 times, Jo and I walked through those big silver gates into, as my dear friend calls it... Limbo. The 20-something hour flight was made bearable with booze and laughs and the awesome selection of in-flight TV that i adore almost as much as the food!

Disclaimer: Ok, ok. I get it, everyone hates aeroplane food, but i'm more than proud to stand up and say that i freakin love the shit. If they are serving something like fish, which i love to hate, i tell them i'm allergic and i'm a winner every time!!

The first leg being the 'short' trip to Singapore. Once we got there it was a race to the nearest exit for a quick ciggie and then off to catch our flight through to London. A lovely fourteen hours and at least 10 episodes of 'Friends' later we landed in the city of Big Ben and our target was so close we could smell it!! (or maybe that smell was me??) Moving right along... Flying straight though to Lyon after what seemed a like a maze of grey walls and officers saying 'sorry, you can't av a fag 'ere'... We are FINALLY in beautiful France. Passport stamped and bags are ready to leave the city of Lyon and drive to the little country town of Les Avenieres.

Getting over the jet lag seems to take forever. But this place is utterly magical. It's honestly like stepping into another world and I have fallen head over heels for it. So much is the same, yet so much is different. The people are the same friendly neighbours that we all have back in Australia. Handing out a friendly, 'bonjour' as you walk down the street. But the homes are just completely different, charming would be the best way to describe them. They ooze charm and warmth with fences outlining each one, wooden shutters that close out the cold on every window and every door. Almost every second house looks like a farm. The Roosters are the size of average pet dogs... It's just crazy. It takes a good half an hour to reach town by foot and there are no footpaths in sight. Even getting used to looking out for traffic when crossing the road is a feat all in itself. If I could count the amount of times that Jo has pulled me back off the street by my jeans... God, I can only imagine what it'll be like driving a manual on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road!!

Jandy - this entire place just reminds me of you. It's the perfect place for you... A place to have all the animals... The shops... The people. I think of you everyday and see you here everyday. We could totally run wild painting the whole 4 streets of town pink and drinking at the one bar that could hold 30 people... AND i'm being generous!!! Hahaha...

Getting me started on the language barrier would be a bad idea. I'm really trying my hardest. But when I have the choice of roaming the town, as opposed to sitting and studying the language - you know what I'd be choosing. Jos parents are making a huge effort speaking as much English as they can. But sometimes I get so transfixed in the sound of hearing them all talk together that just completely lose myself. Even buying a packet of ciggarettes is quite the experience. But whilst it's been trying; it's also been an amazing experience so far... I'm with an incredible man who I love very much and I'm only one whole month into the best time of my life!!.........