If it's Monday, it's Paris...

Uh oh! I got a bit confused this week.

I thought my train to Paris was on Tuesday the 16th... um, turns out that Monday was the 16th! So, yes, I missed my train to Paris. Or more embarrassingly, I turned up on Tuesday and couldn't get my ticket to scan, until the attendant pointed out that it was yesterday's ticket! D'Oh!

And as the ticket was a cheap, non-refundable one, I had to buy another at full price and forego one night's accommodation in Paris - and worse still, my only full day in Paris. In the end I had one afternoon there before heading off the next morning (having triple checked the dates) for Amsterdam.

I think I've been on the road too long.

Still, only one booboo in three months, and one that was easily rectified (it's only money, right?). So all I did in Paris was wander around and take some pictures - you can see a selection in the Blog Gallery. I only had a couple of hours of light what with the winter evenings. My hotel was in the 5th Arrondissement, which is near Notre Dame Cathedral - check out the photo.

You'll notice the first of many Christmas Trees outside the cathedral! They are everywhere - in shopping centres, main squares and plazas... in the hotels, people's windows as you walk along the street. It seems strange as I am rather remote from the festivities this year (I will be spending 9 hours on a train crossing Germany on Christmas Day...). I did like the arrangement opposite the back of the Palais de Justice on Place Dauphine. In fact, all up, it is a rather picturesque square - except it's a triangle (the panorama function changes the perspective)!

I continued my wandering along the left bank of the Seine, and while I don't like to travel by boat, I would happily live in one of the house boats in the many river/canal cities of Europe. They always look so cosy (except the photo isn't a houseboat, I know!).

I was amazed to come across a bizrre-looking bridge.I thought it might be new? I don't recall seeing it before. At first I thought it was a gilt-edged bridge as it was sparkling in the setting sun. It crosses to the Louvre, so I thought maybe it is an artistic installation? But no...

On closer inspection it is covered in padlocks! Both railings are like forests of padlocks that lovers have written their names on (or the organised ones have engraved names!). They then toss the key into the river to ensure their enduring and unbreakable partnership (until the local council comes along and clips them all off...).

They are so intriguing, that I almost missed the beret-wearing artist with his easel, and the accordion-playing busker on the bridge (he is in the photo). Sometimes, a stereotype exists for a reason, right? ;-) Anyway, I knew the Louvre would be closed or closing, as it was getting late, but the courtyard looked lovely as the lights started to come on -I've used the panoramo shot as the image for this blog entry. And despite the icy wind, I could not help but linger to get my somewhat artistic shots as well (after all, when in Paris... even without wearing a beret!)

And I thought I would not catch a glimpse of it this trip, but sure enough, as I was leaving to explore the Rue Rivoli (where I had a very civilised dinner with far too many cocktails and glasses of wine!), there she was off in the distance, all golden and glowing... and I just couldn't do it justice with the iPhone camera, unfortunately. Yes the little yellow splodge between the trees on my photo is the Eiffel Tower!

And before you worry about my drinking... it couldn't have been too much, as I still managed to navigate my way home by several lines on the Metro. The station entrances always look so lovely in Paris, but I always feel like I am at a railway station underground when I use the French Metro. The New York Subway also has a similar underground railway feel - it's the platforms and iron girders, I think. London's tube is so different. It really is tubular (rather than square carriages) and the trains fit exactly into the tunnels. I love using subway/underground railways - as you can gather.

I also like the vibe of the 5th Arrondissement - even though the part I stayed in is very touristy (because it is so central). Although it wasn't late, there weren't many people around Bvd St Germain when I returned to my hotel, just the mandatory Jazz busker! And sadly, that was my time in Paris this time around. I probably spent nearly as much time at the Gare du Nord, where I caught the train the next morning to Amsterdam.

So - if it's Wednesday, it must be Amsterdam, right?

I had delightful companions on my train trip. Elaine and Phil. I've included a photo of Phil in the Blog gallery - he's such a sweetie!

He sat on a cushion on the flip down tray, mostly sleeping - except when the train wobbled a bit, and he sought his mum's arms for a cuddle (um... he's a dog ok?). He was very sweet and has done the journey a few times. Apparently I spoke continuously for the whole three hours of the journey (sorry, Elaine). Doesn't sound like me at all... ;-)

I spent the rest of my afternoon wandering around Amsterdam getting my bearings. I am here for three nights (yes, I am double checking my itinerary now!). I picked my boutique hotel for its proximity to the railway station - I walked by lovely canal scenes to get to it (do check out the blog gallery).

And the hotel is amazing (it's a top rater on TripAdvisor). I've include aphoto of my awesome room. The hotel used to be an S&M Hotel (being on the fringes of the Red Light District) and there are still some bolts and rings in the wall that will probably keep me awake wondering...

The mosquito net is apparently necessary as mosquitoes are a problem and nothing can be done to keep them out. I am assuming this is a summer problem... I haven't seen or heard any while sitting here typing. Might still use the net just for the fun of it!

And I discovered the red light district quite by accident. I noticed a lovely big church steeple and thought I would go and explore it. Turns out that the street around the church has all the narrow windows with women displaying their wares... and I hadn't realised (well, in all honesty I hadn't given it much thought before!) that they are not windows, but doors, for the customers to enter - and when the blinds/curtains are closed, there is a client inside! Talk about the McDonalds of sex...

Anyway, it was a lovely sunny afternoon - apparently the only anticipated one between now and Saturday. So enjoy the shot of Amsterdam in the winter sun. I expect the remaining shots will all be grey and miserable again. Lots of museums here, so looking forward to exploring the next few days.

Until then, cheers! Aveline. xxx