Review: Paris

Five hours after touching down in Heathrow on my return from Sevilla I was aboard Eurostar heading for the French Capital. It did concern me slightly after arranging Paris if five hours was enough time to account for possible delays in the return flight, negotiating customs and immigration and getting from Heathrow to Waterloo. Thankfully there was no delay, immigration and customs took no time, nor did the wait for my luggage. Thirty minutes and two tubes later I arrived with over three hours to play with.

I should add that Paris almost never happened. When I went to collect my tickets I was asked for my credit card which I duly handed over only to be told it was not the card I had purchased the tickets with (the question was a little misleading as I had paid by debit card). I stood baffled for five minutes before turning to my wallet to look see what else I could offer. Thankfully the only other card I was carrying happened to be the card I had purchased the tickets with online.

Drama over, upon boarding it took a little under three hours to reach Paris Nord. There was no immigration control at the station so it was a question of locating the nearest exit and subsequently my hotel, which I chose for its proximity to the station - Hotel Nord, right opposite the station. On arrival I checked in, and had an early night having been travelling since 6am, with little sleep prior to that.

Wednesday I spent the day walking around the right bank trying to familiarise myself with the area, but also with the aim of finding Rue de Rivoli so I could exchange my voucher for a five day travel pass. After an hour or so of walking in the general direction, a stop off at Starbucks for a coffee, a coissant, but ultimately so I could play tourist and get the map out to find where I was, I so happened upon the street, and as if planned by the office where I would get my pass. I spent the rest of the afternoon walking the Tuileries gardens, the Louvre, Chatlet and the many streets between there and the hotel.



Thursday I returned to The Louvre but this time to visit its many arts of work within. It is entirely possible to spend days walking the galleries of masterworks and sculptures. I had intended two days, but instead spent around 4 hours walking the sully galleries of Medival, Egyptian, Greek and Asian artefacts before finally succumbing to the main attraction within the museum - La Gioconda - more commonly known as the 'Mona Lisa'.



Friday I took in Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Musee D'orsay, the Grand Arch and a bit of shopping inetween. I have to say prices in Sevilla are by far less expensive that Paris. H&M, Zara for Men, C&A (yes! they still trade on the Continent) all faired better in Sevilla. One ofthe great things about the Euro aside not having to carry multiples currencies on the continent is te ability to easily compare prices. Clothes are at least 10Euro more expensive in Paris and coffee (or a rather generous espresso) can be double what one would expect to pay in Sevilla. C'est la vie. You have to accept that Sevilla is not in the same league as Paris.



Saturday I spent time walking Boulevard Lafayette (it seemed to never end, I ought to have used the metro) to take in the uber-chic 'Grand Magasins' of Printemp and the Gallarie Lafayette. 'Grand magasins' come with grand prices, and not even I would pay 190Euro for a pair of jeans, regardless of their name. Ridiculous prices aside, the window displays of Gallarie Lafayette were something special - if you could see past the throng of people gathering outside each one to watch the mechanical spectacular of what can only be described as metal pink and turqoise incarnations of bill and ben [flowerpot men] as well as other characters clattering away in time with some festive music. After tempting myself with some parisian retail therapy I took in some final monuments including the La Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre, and the Place de Concord and Champs Elysee at night and the now infamous Moulin Rouge. I have to say of the Basilique and Notre Dame I found the interior of the Basilique to be more grand in style and appearence - perhaps because the interior was illuminated as there was a rehersal taking place inside for a broadcast the following day.



Whilst I spent five days in Paris, I must return one summer to take in the many sights I did not get to see this time round. I imagine Paris to quite something wandering the many streets and sitting outside the countless cafe/bars, bathed in the summer sun. A bien tot!

Review: Sevilla

Seven days in Sevilla, not quite seven days in the sun, nonetheless seven days of culture, relaxation and lots of walking (and only one day of rain!!) On my arrival I sought out the tourist info for information on buses to the centre. Taxi's were readily available, and there is a set fee of around 20Eur (ca. 22Eur if you require a taxi between 22:00 and 07:00 if I recall), but I had been informed the bus takes you to the centre for only 2Eur40! Once I arrived at Avendia del Cid (the last stop) it was a choice of either finding the bus stop for the central circular route or hailing a taxi - I chose the latter and it set me back a 7Eur as I gave the guy a tip for tolerating my lack of Spanish and for giving me a sense of direction when it came to finding the main shopping area from my hotel.

Sevilla is steeped in much history heavily influenced by the moors. Their biggest mark in mondern day Sevilla would be the minuret which now forms part of the Cathedral. It is a shame that at the time of my visit that so much of Sevilla seemed under construction. They are part way though installing a new tram "network" around Avendia de Constitucion and the Catherdral, as well as many other small plaza's. But the historic sense of Sevilla was not lost and all construction is forgotten when meandering the narrow cobbled streets of Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quater of Sevilla.



Thankfully Sevilla is a small enough city which can be easily walked, and if walking is not your thing taxi's are pretty cheap. If you really feel brave you could always try and fathom the local buses - I'm sure it is straight forward once you've used it once or twice. Driving in Sevilla is not really an option. Crossing a road you risk life or limb - in some cases even on pavements with scooters. Parking is a nightmare and whilst there are public car parks, locals have developed a skill which most of us would only be familiar with in a fair ground. They bump their way in to the smallest of spaces leaving barely enough space to slide a sheet of paper between their bumpers. And it appeared to be a right of passage for your car to have at least one bump or scrape! They are also quite impatient drivers, which suprises me given most of Sevilla is one way and if one car stops (taxi's tend to pick up passengers, and if there is a medical emergency as I once witnessed whilst having coffee the surrounding area grinds to a halt) then Sevilla is brought to life with a cacophony of car horns.

Destination: Sydney

For all those wondering if/when I would get round to booking my flight to Australia, the deed has been done. It has been, I agree, a long time coming. I leave on the 16th January, stopping off in Hong Kong then onwards to Sydney, a place to call home for 3 months or so.

It has taken so long to confirm a departure date as I had been waiting for confirmation that my overseas account had been opened. On applying I was informed it could take up to 6 weeks, but it has taken just over 3 weeks. Were I not heading for Seville and Paris over the next two weeks I could have conceivably have left this month (as I had originally hoped - see earlier blog), but my family are happy in that I spend Christmas with them once again, and I am happy to spend some time travelling Europe, albeit two cities within it before I go.

Destination: Paris

Contrary to my last blog and my thoughts of travelling to Madrid and possibly Barcelona after my week in Seville, I have had a change of heart and decided to spend 5 nights in Paris. As much as it pains me to make it to Seville airport for my return flight so early in the morning (8am which means check in @ 6am) I am going to experience the eurostar to Paris. It will be a hectic day of travelling as my train leaves 4 hours after my arrival back in the UK from Seville - I just hope my flight is on time. According to flightontime.info I can expect on average a 20 minute delay. Time will tell.

Destination: Seville

With a little time on my hands before Australia I have decided to fit in week in Seville. I leave a week Tuesday in search of warmth and culture. I have booked a return flight but I may not use it. A oneway flight was £49 and a return £79.80, so I've booked a return should I decide after a week to return, but I am tempted to take a train up to Madrid and possibly Barcelona and extend my stay. I hear the weather isn't all that great (rain) but I hope it is in a warmer atmosphere. Certainly today it was as I met a friend for coffee overlooking Swansea bay. It truly is a great sight (even if the light was fading and the sky overcast) - with a little sun it would be a perfect place to call home. Sadly, with it being winter those happy days of glistening waters, yellow sands and warmth of the summer are over for another 6 months at least. I believe it is true what they say, that there is no place like home, but to know that I also believe you have to experience something else before you can say with conviction. Paolo Coelho wrote a wonderful book entitiled "The Alchemist" which explores that very idea. A story of a Porteguese sheperd who leaves for the desert shores of North Africa in search of treasure but ulimately ends up discovering himself, and where he belongs.

Home owner no more

Well, it is official. It has been a little over three weeks since I ceased to be a home owner. With one less tie in the UK I have been busy forging ties in Australia, having opened a bank account in Sydney. I'm told it is not necessary to open an account before my arrival but I thought it prudent to do so as I do not wish financial documentation to be sent to hostels or PO Box numbers. I can confirm that HSBC is the worlds local bank, and they have been most helpful in assisting in the process (which is suprisingly straight forward). Of course, there is no need to open up a bank account for travelling only purposes - I am only doing so as I have a working holiday visa, and thus intend to work for part of my time. Nationwide provide a flex account which can be used to make withdrawls from cash points worldwide for no fee!

Beginning of the End leading to a new beginning

You'll have to excuse the lack of blogs over the last month - there has been little really to report other than frustration with the little progress that was being made on the completion of the transfer of my now, as of yesterday - though I've yet to receive the funds so I deem the contract to be unfulfilled, former property. That aside as I wish to draw a firm line under the whole saga, I will soon be able to book my flight to Australia.

I have given up on the idea and desire to spend a month in Switzerland studying french due to time constraints and my want to be in Sydney for Christmas and New Year. With the house having taken 2 months longer to complete than I would have liked, going to Switzerland now would mean I would not arrive in Australia until early-mid December. Having done a prelimenary sweep of youth hostels over the festive period for availability, there is, as one would expect, little if any beds available to book. This leaves really finding a suitable apartment or flatshare. Ideally I'd like an apartment, but I think with much to sort out re: bank accounts etc. I think that is too big an ask to have in place before Christmas. Thus I am left with looking for a flatshare, which at the end of the day makes better economic sense as costs are shared, and will also mean I get to meet people from the day I move in.

The beginning....well, not quite

For some years I have wanted to travel, to see the world first hand, and experience the rich cultures and diversity that can be found on almost every continent. In April this year I took the first steps in realising my amibition by applying for a working visa in Australia, which to my suprise was granted within 24 hours!

Now before I receive a flurry of comments/emails stating the obvious - that Australia is but one continent and not the world - might I elaborate on my plans (or lack thereof). The visa is but a means to an end. Many Brits flock to Australia every year seeking sun and adventure, afterall it makes the perfect starting point for any would be traveller, in particular those who have little experience in travelling alone, if only because being British we already speak the lingo thus feel more at ease.

I have chosen Australia for this reason but also for its proximity to Asia and (I hope) the ease of finding short term (contract) work in Sydney so I do not have to use the entirity of my savings from the last three years of work. I have provisionally only planned a year away; three months in Sydney working; three months in Asia; back to Sydney for a further three months of work; then three months to travel Australia and New Zealand. Depending on my financial solvency I may then head home via the Americas before returning to the UK financially poorer but personally wealthier!

To this end, I am now in the process selling my share in a property I bought two years ago, before finally resigning. Once both these are complete I can then look to finalise a date for which I will head for Australia to begin what I hope will be a life changing experience that can only broaden my horizons and open up new opportunities for the future. I say can look as I do hope to be able to enroll on an intensive French Course, in France or Switzerland, beforehand. Whilst I speak a little French, and a little more German, I am sadly mono-linguistic. This is something I dearly want to change and it can only help the lone traveller as they meander their way around the world.

And after this 'expidtion'...who knows. I have two thoughts at present. To return to University and study for a Masters in International Politics, or seek work for an NGO (Non-Government Organisation), perhaps in Africa (cue the French :p).