I love Paris - Even in September

Sadly this will be our final journal entry - the Ridgeback Odyssey is over!

Firstly, we both have been thrilled that so many of you have enjoyed following our adventure by reading our entries and leaving wonderful comments. We missed everyone immensely and snippets of news and well wishes from home was sometimes the highlight of our day!

Tonight I post this from our home computer (at 3 euro for 10 mins internet time in France, our last entry had to wait!).  However, we've saved the best for last - Paris, the city of Light.  We came to Paris a little jaded after an intensive 6 weeks of travel and a disastrous morning of being stuck in traffic in a taxi due to a 'manifestation' (a street protest and a frequent occurrence). This meant we were left to lug heavy luggage onto a train after being abandoned at the nearest metro and then walk to our apartment. So by the time we arrived, I just wanted to cosy up in bed and sleep for 12 hours. However, we were staying right in the heart of the hub of the Marias district, and with so much happening just outside of our doorstep, it was a quick shower and we were off!

If you have never been to Paris, it truly is just as you imagine it. There are carvings of angels, gargoyles, famous people, and intricate details on buildings, bridges, cathedrals, everywhere. In fact, pleasing the senses is what Paris seems to be about. The food tastes wonderful. Everything we ate, even something simple such as a fresh baguette and jam  was delicious! The people look beautiful. There really is a sense of flair and beauty in the way Parisians dress and behave even in the worst heat of the summer. I felt hot, sweaty and frumpy in comparison with nothing in my backpack besides travel and hiking gear - all of which was not suitable for the way one should dress for a stroll down the Champs Elysee or for that matter, any street of Paris. And the socializing - Parisians are experts at it! Lovers in parks, picnickers on bridges and on the banks of the Seine, friends lunching and drinking wine in cafe's whilst people watching,  late late dinners (3am and still going - don't they sleep?) and the evening gelati and a wander or sit in the park at 5pm. We found ourselves developing our own rituals - such as the early morning trip to a favourite bakery for warm crusty baguette for breakfast with soft cheese and jam, relaxed late lunches and afternoon naps, people watching in cafe's at afternoon tea and even later dinners following an evening stroll admiring the city's illuminations.

Eight days in Paris allowed us the opportunity to see it all, and after seven weeks in France I almost felt as though we had moved there. I definately can recommend this style of travel (lengthy stays in one country) -  it certainly allows a better opportunity to discover the heart of the country.

For Tony, his Paris highlight was a trip to the Père Lachaise. A gothic, picturesque cemetry with shady twisty paths - one of which leads to Jim Morrison's grave. We were warned of staged satanic orgies held at night, hippies making out on the slab and drugged hard core fans lurking nearby in the shadows. None of the above was seen at the time we were there so we’ll just have to go back. We were glad to see Jim's resting place however, and thanked him for his music and left.

For me (my favourites are of course food related), it was mussels steamed in white wine with a belgian beer at a brassiere called Au Trappist on Rue Saint  (it was decked out in timber and stained glass to look like a monk's abby) and peering into the window of the restaurant where Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves had dinner in the movie Somethings Gotta Give. It was truly elegant and very French with crisp white table clothes, stunning floral table arrangements  complete with male waiters bustling around in white aprons. Oh, and the kiss  at sunset at Trocadero Square looking up at the Eiffel Tower wasn't too bad either. (Although not food related!).

But for all that, it was with a sense of relief and serenity that we arrived home to our own little peice of paradise in Samford. But mostly, we're looking forward to catching up with each of you very soon!

Until our next trip  which we hope you will again join us on (a trek through the canadian rockies is looking good) - au revoir!