The DaMarro Code...

Hello All and Sundry. Today is my final day in the romantic city of Paris. My flight is due to leave later this afternoon and while I'm looking forward to London, I'll be sad to leave this city, in particular, the excessively cultural and lively area of Montmarte. Last night, there was live music to be heard through my open window, as the main street came alive as the sun set.

Earlier in the evening, having returned from a long day out and about, I had taken a turn about the streets in order to get some mineral water. Not really being bothered to dress too appropriately, I left my shorts and t-shirt on, donned my Birks and set out. Big Mistake. As I walked past the numerous cafes along the street I drew more than a little attention! Apparently, daggy typical Australian dress is unacceptable in the trendy area I've been living in! Haha!

Yesterday was full on! I got up and decided to go straight to the Lourve, which I suspected would take up most of my day! I was right! Thankfully the line was small and I managed to enter without waiting too long. The view from inside the glass pyramid is amazing. As I descended into the lobby there was hundreds of tourists milling around and I could see the main three entrances to each of the wings. I felt like an expert entering this famous building. I had duely done my research thoroughly: a copy of the DaVinci Code in my hotel room! I got my ticket, joined a tour and began. The tour went for about 2 hours and highighted the main points of interest in the museum! Definately would recommend this one! The climax was of course the Mona Lisa. There was dozens and dozens of people around it, all taking photographs! It was quite funny really! the Lourve is one of the first museums that I've been to which actually allows photographs! Most places, even churches, forbid it, and if it is permitted, you have to take pictures without a flash. Apparently, after years of almost constant flashes, even the paintings get damaged. At the Lourve however, according to the official rules, pictures are allowed but flashes are "strongly discouraged", whatever that means! After that, I wandered around the museum for a few hours with an audio-visual guide taking it all in. Finally, I'd had enough, and probably having missed more than half of the collections, I left. It would be impossible to see it all in even a full day, there is just way too much!

After this to clear my head I took a stroll towards Champs Elysees which is a huge shopping strip. There is a FIVE STOREY Louis Vuitton shop which looked amazing. I paused outside to take a picture. It was DEFININATELY not the kind of store that one strolled into to have a look around, judging by the security guards and the clientele exiting the store! After walking up and then down for a couple of hours, exhausted, I headed to my hotel.

On the waym on the spur of the moment, I stopped past a hairdresser to see about getting a trim. It was an older guy doing the cutting. When I sat down, he asked me if there were many Lebanese people in Australia. I said there were, and then rather forcefully announced that I wasn't Lebanese! I was getting sick of everyone assuming that I was middle eastern! He, however was, and while he didn't seem to take my declaration offensively, he did continue talking about Lebanese people in Australia and France losing their cultural identity. It seemed a perfect conversation for Leon, I however was so tired, I almost fell asleep! He cut my hair for what seemed like forever! Everytime I thought he was finished, he just picked up another tool and went back to it! At one point, after the cut, he was washing my hair, and with his armpits virtually in my face he seemed to belatedly remember to offer me a drink. His hands stopped their washing and he paused mid-sentence to offer me a coffee. I politely refused just wanting the whole thing over with! Ha!

Having experimented with French cuising already, I felt too tired to sit through a restaurant meal and so opted for Subway! (I know!)

This morning I'm going to take a stroll around the neighbourhood and take some snaps and then off to the airport in the afternoon to catch my flight. I had wanted to visit the Moet Chandon cellars in nearby Epernay, but unfortunately I won't have time for that now. Next update from good ol' London town!