Exploring Paris

Another week over, I have now entered my third week as an au pair; I am still loving it, some days are hard but I shouldn't complain. Highlight of last week was 'Apple Bobbing Championships 2014', A&E are extremely easily amused by Apple bobbing, which in turn amuses me. I can't wait till it gets colder; at the moment it's so hot here that we go to the park every afternoon after school, by the time we get home we only have a chance for English lessons, once it's colder we'll have more time to do baking, crafts, games etc. I and E love scones, I think it's time to introduce them to Welsh Cakes, which are a step up from a scone. I also had my first nightmare last week, my first time babysitting and I had to call the mum home because a fuse blew and I didn't know where the fuse box was. All was fine and mum was impressed at how I'd dealt with the children in that situation but it was still frustrating for me; I've been babysitting for years and I've never once had to call a parent back! My perfect track record is flawed :( I still find some situations awkward living in a family home but I'm getting there, I am also still being fed very well. I had some fresh hazelnuts delivered from her parents garden in Normandy, soooooo good!

My free time has been taken up by exploring more, wondering round Las Galeries Laffyete, taking in some more amazing churches in the form of Notre-Dame and Madeleine, getting lost in the Louvre (whilst also taking pictures of statues willies to send to Bear) and generally exploring, I spend lots of time walking, trying to get my bearings. The Metro is fun but Paris is so easy to do on foot also. I have, however learnt that there are some essentials for living and exploring in Paris...

1. SHOES

I came to Paris with 6 pairs of shoes, I wear one; my Puma trainers bought on the day of my graduation in sunny Aberystwyth. I foresaw I'd need some decent, comfy, hardwearing trainers I just never thought how much. I tried my sandals once and got blisters everywhere and my deck shoes fell apart in week one, trainers and dresses is a big thing here too so I don't feel like a cheap Lily Allen wearing them with everything! I do give them a rest at night, you are not worth anything if you don't have a pair of black ankle boots in Paris, these are my choice for going out in, there's always still walking involved and my 5ft 10 ass has no need for heels so flat boots suit me fine. If you went out with me at all last year you will remember I always had black ankles boots on my feet whilst enjoying the sticky floors, they fell apart 2 months before the end of uni and I never thought to replace them, clever. Luckily black ankle boots are not difficult to find in Paris, mine were a steal at €25 from H&M.

2.PLANNING

I don't like being lost and I like to have a vague idea where to head when I get to places, within the friends I have made here I have already got a reputation as map girl. I don't care how silly I look getting out my map, I'm yet to fail to get us somewhere. So I have my map book, the one in the picture is HIGHLY recommended, mine already looks 6 years old because I take it everywhere and it's constantly in and out of my bag. A metro map, if someone tells you a metro stop to meet at (often easiest thing to do in Paris) whack this out and you'll have your route planned in a second, likewise if you end up in a different area you started the day/night in this is also an fool proof way to get somewhere; it has bus & RER routes on too. Word of advice, if you meet someone at a metro stop, if you're the first one there, let everyone know what name/number exit you came out of otherwise things get VERY confusing. The little card you see,that's my 'oyster' card, it works on metros and buses and is my lifeline to exploring the city. Mine is unlimited because it us provided with my job but you can get rechargeable ones too.

3. ALWAYS IN MY BAG

Antibacterial handgel, do not come to Paris without it; public hygiene isn't huge here, public toilets are grim and people piss just about anywhere, for you own health, bring this. That old school Nokia, that's my French phone but I normally have my English phone too. My French phone for contacting people, English phone for taking pictures, using free WiFi spots and using the Kindle app to look busy on the metro so the man with really long legs you keep accidentally bumping knees with thinks you're unfazed by it all. And over the shoulder bag is a good idea too, doesn't get in your way and it's most difficult for pick pockets (huge problem here) to take or get into. I had a bigger canvas one when I got here but that annoyed me within the first 48hrs, this one was a steal at €9.95 from H&M again, it is maybe a teeny bit too small but it will do for now.

4. MY DENIM SHIRT

 Yep this was £9 well spent in a charity shop in my first year at uni, the best cover up thing I own. So it's baking hot here at the moment but out of the sun the streets can get really chilly, lots of tall buildings keep in cool all day, if you're exploring churches something to cover up is essential to; because they are also cool but out of respect too. Similarly for any museum too really. It also works fantastically in the cooler evenings when you're having a few drinks outside beforehand but then go into a hot sweaty club.

So that's it, the four things I couldn't live without in Paris. Hope this helps for all of you who are rushing to book your eurostar tickets to visit...

One more notable thing from this last week, my absolutely incredible Saturday, last minute we decided to go to a free techno parade, not really expecting much. Well, we weren't disappointed that's for sure. Huge parade, sunshine, dancing, music, basically perfection. What a way to spend my second Saturday here!! After that we went out to see the delights of a Saturday night in Bastille, there were no delights. Ok it wasn't an awful night, the company was fab and I found more beer cocktails but it was a rough area with nowhere decent to go. Back to Odeon area next week!!

Some flicks from the parade including a very dodgy video
Ft. Bella, Mali & Nicole 

I'll try not to leave it so long before I post again.