The Yellow Umbrella Pilgrim: The City of Light

Today seemed to have gone by in a blur. We took the 8am train through London Tube to try to get to the King's Cross station. I'm still not sure whether it was a good idea or not. The rush hour in London is scary! People push and squeeze into the tube. I witnessed many people try to hop on when there are just no room. The door closes on them and usually the arm or bag or hair is caught!
Imagine my horror at contemplating fighting these well practiced Londoners with my huge backpack still on my back!

Here is a view of our packs

In the end we made it on the trains, but not without the help of some very nice people who took pity on us and let us board first.

When we got to the station it was already one hour later. We already brought the tickets online, but still had to print them at the station. Some running around land we were finally sorted to go through custom and baggage checks.

We found the train to Paris fast and comfortable. I managed quite a bit of shut eye during the passage there.

We arrived in Paris and realised that there is no custom to go through after alighting the train. I think we both felt cheated cos we really were looking forward to have all sorts of exotic stamps in our passport by the time we return home.

We eventually found the ticket booth and worked out how to take the Paris metro to our accommodation. At the station, there were many children and teenagers walking around with a piece of paper and asking for signatures, as soon as you sign they kind of pressure you into donating at least 10 euros. How do I know this? Let's just say I saw this happen to a few people.
You know they are scammers as they only approach the tourists, not the locals.

Our room at the Hotel Avia Saphir Montparnesse.

It was getting pretty late in the afternoon so we decided to head out to do some sightseeing and to grab a bite.

A salami baguette

On our walk we passed by Saint Francois Xavier Church. They are sending pilgrims to Madrid!

This is the Musee de l'Armee.

We didn't get to go inside as the museum was closed by the time we got there.

We did get to visit the Musee d' Orsay.
We had dinner first outside the museum, which was quite pricy.

French Onion Soup, I liked the soup the most as they added baked mozzarella and bread on top of the onion soup.

Mince Steak and Chips

Orsay housed a lot of Impressionist work. Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir.

Let's just say I was a happy girl!

We then took a long walk crossing over the Seine River over a bridge.

Something of interest is the locks on the side of the rail, these locks all have inscriptions or writing of love messages, perhaps sealing their love in this Romance Capitol?

Our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.

Walking into Champs-Élysées, the famous shopping boulevard with the world's biggest LV store and pretty car sellers which also is a restaurant.

We found that Tweety has also visited Paris.

Here is the Arc de Triomphe.

Note this photo is actually taken from the middle of a road, we are actually just half way at a pedestrian crossing.

More photos of this famous site.