Thread: Euro Trip - I'm simply not interested

Originally Posted by jerryd

I bet the cleaning of Big Ben attracted a few onlookers

Big Ben clean-up stops time - World - Video - 3 News

I missed that. I saw it on the news that night.

We are in Paris now and whilst it is a grey and dirty looking city (I can't say it is attractive), at least where we are in Montparnasse there are restaurants, patisseries, few crowds, good food, and wine at affordable prices.

The train trip from London on EuroStar was very smooth (you don't even feel it accelerate) but if you ever travel on it, try to ensure you don't get seat 87 in the carriage like I did. It is right next to the inter-car door and there was a constant stream of passengers going to and from the buffet car and the toilet (the latter is right next to the door). By the end of the trip I was thoroughly sick of the door being opened and closed, being bumped by passing passengers, and the waft of odour from the toilet.

The train seat armrests are remarkably hard, sharp-edged, and uncomfortable.

Ron,
I don't know if this is the case, but your posts tend to look as if you decided before the trip you were not going to like it, and you are determined to have this outcome!

(Mind you, it is a good few years since I have been in London - but even then I knew it was not going to be a good time of year to be there because everyone else is!)

John

I spent a bit of time working in Paris, in the La Défence area, and I did enjoy my time there. It's difficult to avoid the Parisien snobbery, but generally speaking a great place to visit.

If you're in Montparnasse, you're about a half hour walk north to Notre Dame, and then another 15 minute walk to the Pompidou Centre.

Wasn't fussed by the contents of the Pompidou Centre, but the building itself is totally bizarre!

Quite possibly, John. Coming in August was a mistake but I didn't plan it. My wife came by herself last time but that was in June.

I simply cannot abide crowds. I won't go into Penrith, either (let alone Sydney) - if I can avoid it.

I think this will be the last holiday we'll do together. I'm looking forward to going home in another 4 weeks.

Originally Posted by sheerluck

I spent a bit of time working in Paris, in the La Défence area, and I did enjoy my time there. It's difficult to avoid the Parisien snobbery, but generally speaking a great place to visit.

If you're in Montparnasse, you're about a half hour walk north to Notre Dame, and then another 15 minute walk to the Pompidou Centre.

Wasn't fussed by the contents of the Pompidou Centre, but the building itself is totally bizarre!

The locals have been fine - so far (maybe they weren't locals?). I went past the Pompidou Centre today. It's positively filthy on the outside. Surely they realised when they built it that it would be almost impossible to clean.

Going to Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower tomorrow. Still thinking about Sacre C'oeur. However, I suspect the crowds at all of them will turn me right off. I am not planning on ascending the Eiffel Tower. I won't wait in a queue for that long.

Originally Posted by p38arover

The locals have been fine - so far (maybe they weren't locals?). I went past the Pompidou Centre today. It's positively filthy on the outside. Surely they realised when they built it that it would be almost impossible to clean.

Going to Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower tomorrow. Still thinking about Sacre C'oeur. However, I suspect the crowds at all of them will turn me right off. I am not planning on ascending the Eiffel Tower. I won't wait in a queue for that long.

You've probably already found that the French are not early risers. Visiting those attractions first thing in the morning may help in reduction of crowds.

I'm with you on the Eiffel Tower. Been there, but never been up. Didn't see the point of paying 40 or 50 Euros for the 4 of us to get in a lift and go up a tower.

Can't advise anything on the Sacré Cœur though, not been there.

Yes, my wife said to visit early. I noticed the same with tourists in London, they weren't out and about early.

Ron,

ever seen the movie and TV series "Grumpy Old Men". You'd make a great candidate to be featured.