Educational

Who said Friday the 13th was an unlucky day? For me, it was the day I would return to Paris, can’t get much luckier than that! Not such an early start out of Seoul, arrived in good time to check in and, short from scamming a business class seat, managed to three seats in the bulkhead row to myself, so extra of plenty legroom for the 11 hours on the 13.15 from Seoul to Paris (Thanks again to Asiana Airlines – www.flyasiana.com :P). Passed the time quite well on the flight, arriving in real time only 5 hours later to Friday evening in Paris at the not-so-charming Terminal 1 at Charles De Gaulle Airport. On my way to the train to the city, I met a Japanese couple who I started talking with and helped into the city. For the guy it was his first time, and for all his imagined impressions of Paris, I’m sure a dirty RER carriage with doors covered in graffiti wasn’t part of it. In any case, it still warranted a photo. Welcome to Paris! Arrived at my friend Ced’s apartment, in the heart of Pigalle, in time to reacquaint myself with French food for dinner – sushi…. ok, so at least we washed it down with some champagne, none of this ‘sparkling wine’ thank you very much!

So, the plan was to spend two weeks in Paris, hanging out, soaking it all in, and most importantly, taking some French lessons. I was a bit unsure whether it was worth it or not for a seemingly short period of time, but I was definitely pleased with the progress made during this time. Considering I could pretty much ask ‘Where is the train station?’ and I still got confused between left and right (gauche et droite – or is it droit??) I figured it wouldn’t be difficult to make some headway in two weeks. Plus, a perfect excuse to stay in Paris for two whole weeks, a relatively long period considering my plans for my time here in Europe.

I managed to get into quite a nice routine over the two weeks, feeling closer to a local than a tourist, getting stopped for directions and helping other tourists to get around on the metro. My level of French meant I was put into the 1pm – 4pm class, which meant most mornings I spent lazing around the apartment drinking espresso and eating croissants – still an important part of being French though, I guess? However, arriving in the peak of summer was quite fortunate, since the sun wasn’t setting until around 10pm, so I had plenty of time to explore the city. I enjoyed the experience though of learning French in Paris and trying to put into instant use. Had some nice classmates from a variety of countries, from Denmark and Sweden to Brazil and Costa Rica. So when we caught up outside of class, it was a great chance to practice our English (that’s not a typo, 3 hours a day was enough). Still, it was a worthwhile time, thanks to my sponsor France Langue www.france-langue.com and our lovely teacher Anne. I made good progress and look forward to continuing with it in the future.

So, apart from clarifying the words for left and right and asking for directions to other locations, what else did I get up to in Paris? I’m sure a few of you realise that it was by no means my first visit to the city, but as always, there is always an unexplored location which awaits, as well as many explored locations to reacquaint myself with. Highlights included a walk or two through the Couleé Verte, a nice and long park snaking its way through a part of the city, as well as a few afternoons relaxing in Parc Monceau, an English-style park which was perfect for me to enjoy the late sunshine reading a book (in English) or doing my homework (in French). Otherwise I enjoyed many a leisurely stroll through different parts of town, a visit to an exhibition or two, and rediscovering French bakery treats, particularly pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) and macaroons. Delicious. Oh, and some French wine every now and then as well. Of course.

Luckily I did get to meet up with some French people so I had the chance to try out my newly acquired language skills. I met up with Martin, one of my friends from the time in Linköping, but since I had only had completed one lesson by that stage we stuck to English. Was great to catch up in any case, went for some more traditional cuisine, this time it was tapas, but again at least it was complemented with some local beer. Though at least when I met with another local friend Olivier, I managed to make it to a French restaurant at last for some ‘pot au feu’ with ‘tarte tatin’ for dessert, together with a brilliant bottle of red. Now this is what I had been waiting for. I really appreciated the chance to get in touch with locals and have experiences that I otherwise might not have had as a pure tourist. One night I went with Ced to his friends’ apartment for some dinner (thai curry) with some more champagne and red wine. I’ve realised that while the food is influenced from all over the world, you need not look further than the French for wine here. Parochial, but with good reason. In any case, I appreciated the chance to step into the social life of Parisians for one evening, especially since I was nine lessons down by this stage so could put a few sentences together in French.

A highlight of the fortnight was in the second week when I had a very special visitor, none other than Mr. Doyle J. Kim. For those who don’t know him, Doyle is one of my close friends from Australia who has been traipsing up and down the aisles as a cabin crew member for Emirates Airlines since February. Fortunately he managed to get a Dubai-Paris flight during the time I was there as well, so we had almost 24 hours to hang out while I played tour guide to a first-timer. It was funny to be looking at the city from a new perspective, and while Paris is photogenic in any case, combined with Doyle’s photography skills many new angles were discovered and what felt like 1000 photos were taken. And that was just on the walk up to Montmartre. But seriously, was such a nice day, we casually checked out some of the city’s attractions, not trying to rush everything into a couple of hours. After Montmartre, was over to Le Pure Café, one of the locations used in the movie ‘Before Sunset’, followed by another walk through the Coulée Verte to Ile de la Cité and over to the bookshop Shakespeare and Co, also seen in the movie. So the day turned into a movie set tour, but in any case it was a really nice day and great to catch up with Doyle again.

But, as Nelly Furtado once sang, all good things come to an end, and after 357 hours (should have been 354, stay tuned…) my stay in Paris for this moment was complete. Enjoyed a nice last evening, first with the dinner in the French restaurant as mentioned above, followed by an evening at Champs de Mars, the park adjacent to the Eiffel Tower. Here I met up with some friends from the French class, where we just hung out for a while, enjoying yet another drop of wine while we basked in the glow of the Eiffel Tower and its sparkly moments every hour on the hour. Was a really nice evening and an ideal way to end an ideal fortnight in Paris.

So, about those three extra hours. After my last supper (breakfast) complete with croissants, donuts, lemon tart and espresso (remind me why I left?) it was off to Gare du Nord (hint, it’s pronounced Nor, you rarely voice the last letter, so from now on it’s Bon Appeti)…. So, off to Gare du Nord to take the train with Thalys (definitely NOT a sponsor) on the 12.25 to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Anyway, in my usual style, I strolled into the station about 12.10, and the fun began. I went to the ticket machine to retrieve the pre-booked ticket I bought online. Put my card in, wasn’t recognised. Put my booking reference number in, recognised. Asks for the card again. Card goes in. Still not recognised. Repeat. Still no luck. 12.17. Go to information office. Lady is extremely helpful. Not. Tells me to go to ticket counter. Go to the counter. One million people in the queue in front of me. Actually more like 20. Talk to the lovely young girl working in the area. Explain the situation. Ask if she can get me to the front of the queue. Am told she is not authorized to do allow such outrageous requests. Suggests now I have time to relax and get some lunch. I smile at her. It was fake. 12.22. I figure I’ll go to the train and explain. Get to the train. Told that part of the train is only going to Brussels. Go further. Finally get on the right train. 12.24. Explain my conundrum to the cheerful conductor. Suddenly not so cheerful. Tells me I would have to buy another ticket. Tell him I at least have a booking reference number. He couldn’t care less. 12.24 and 59 seconds. I get off the train. 12.25. Whistle blows. Train departs. With me on the platform waving at all the passengers who had paper tickets and not just a booking number. Ok, as if I was actually waving at them. But maybe another hand gesture to the staff. No, not even that.

Well, with the train out of sight I had no other option to make my way back to the queue to change my ticket, past the friendly girl. I think she pretended not to see me. So, after all that, I managed to change my ticket to the next available train at 3.25. In my mood there was no way I was sitting around Gare du Nor a minute longer than necessary. So stored my luggage and wandered into the city to Lafayette and Printemps for check out the sales. Finally calmed down by this stage and managed to appreciate the extra moment I got to spend in Paris. Made it back to the station in time with a paper ticket in my hot little hands, with plenty of time to board the train. I guess it goes without saying that I wasn’t taking any risks this time around.