The Long Awaited Moment...

Well today folks I finally did it. It wasn't planned, in fact, it was rather last minute and spur of the moment, however I have now experienced the wonder and amazment of one of France's most popular and well known institutions. I am speaking of course, of escargot. Yes my friends, snails. More on that story, later in the program.

Firstly, today was meant to be an early start. I'd set my alarm for 8am, thinking to get a jump on the tourists lazing away in their hotel beds. I however, turned out to be one of these said tourists, lazing away. Damn. I rose at around 10am and popped downstairs and out to catch the metro and get my bus tour started. The open topped bus I found is a great way to get your bearings and find the most commonly visited locations. I'd planned to complete a full circle, listening to the commentary, but when I saw the massive figure of the Eiffel Tower, I couldn't resist. I jumped off the bus and joined the queue at the North tower to get to the top! After about 45 minutes of waiting in line, (notice that everyone says how FANTASTIC all these famous landmarks are, but nobody says how long they had to wait in line for most of them!) I was able to take the first elevator to the second level. After waiting for another 20 minutes, I took the second elevator to the very top and low and behold there it was! All of Paris was laid out before me as if I was in the biggest IMAX theatre in the world.

The top was a little crowded, (as various signs had warned it could be) but the view was just majestic! It was so difficult to capture on photo, but I tried and will insert some here soon.

After descending I jumped back on the bus and completed the trip. We passed most of the famous Parisian landmarks, including the Lourve, Notre Dame, the Arc di Triumph etc etc. I again got off at Notre Dame and had a look around. Having experienced lots of amazing churches in Italy, in particular the Domes at Siena and St Marks in Venice, as well as the Lincoln Cathedral, I was prepared to be a little bit un-impressed. Boy was I wrong. The church itself was beautiful, but what made it even more so was that there was a service in progress when I entered. Most Italian churches forbid entry during these times, so you rarely see what actually happens. Not so here. The sound of a beautiful choir reverberated around the entire building and added a spirituality that I couldn't have imagined. I felt as though I'd been transported back a few centuries. If not for the hundreds of tourists, anyway!

I passed by a statue of a woman that intrigued me and upon further inspection, realised it was Joan of Arc. There were quite a few candles lit in front of her altar. A really beautiful experience.

After a full day driving around Paris and exploring these massive monuments, I headed back to the hotel. I popped out for dinner a short while later at about 10pm. I had no idea which restaurant to choose, so I passed by a few and ended up choosing a little tucked away place that looked packed on the outside, but a little quiter inside. A brisk waitress with a clipped french accent and bushy hairstyle sat me at a table by the window under a light, (I'd brought my book).

I started to order a glass of wine, and the waitress immediately wanted to make sure I was eating as well, "This area only for eating" she said with a thick French accent. I quickly assured her I was and to make good on this, picked up the menu and asked for her help in selecting my meal. I'd wanted French cuisine, and that's exacly what she helped me pick. Firstly, for entree, escargot. When they came out, she placed a weird pair of tongs in front of me and a little fork. There were six shells, covered in what was unmistakably a VERY garlicky butter sauce. I was a little embarassed, but had to admit to the waitress that I'd never eated escargot before and could she show me how to eat them? She quickly obliged with a small smile on her lips and demonstrated how to grasp the shell and scoop out the fleshy worm of the snail.

She then had to dash off to serve another customer and I was on my own. After the first two, I looked down at the plate, and realised I had another 4 to go! AHHH!! By the end I realised that they were actually ok. Quite like oysters really, in that they're a bit slimy, and most of the taste is usually in the sauce. Thank god that was over, I thought!!

For my main, quite predictably, I suppose, the waitress had said that there were two menu items that were the specialty of the kitchen. Without even asking, I could've said which ones they were as they turned out to be the most expensive on the menu. However, Lara has taught me well, and generally, it's a good idea to trust the person who's serving you the food. One was a beef steak, and the other, duck breast with a honey sauce, coming in at 18 euros each. Not being a huge steak fan, I ordered the duck, and believe me it was WELL worth it! Succulent breast cooked medium, with potato, salad and the most delicious honey mustard sauce I've had in my LIFE! I have pictures of both these meals which I'll pop up soon!

For desert, my trusty waitress recommended another French classic, Creme Brulee with vanilla bean ice cream, which, while not super fantastic was still tasty none-the-less. With a couple of glasses of wine, my bill was a smidgen over 40 euros... money well spent in my books! I decided to be nice and left a tip, and the waitress ran after me in the street to wave goodbye and thank me.. "Merci Beaucoup Monsieur!!"

Plan for tomorrow, the Lourve and a tad of shopping! (Just a tad, I promise!)