On the way to Galleries LafayetteI took a wrong turn down a cobbled stoned alleyway and happened to walked across an internet cafe - something that is not very abundant in Paris and I realised that I haven't blogged in about two weeks - partly because the aforementioned inaccessibility to the internet and partly because I have been so busy with Paris.
To sum up the previous two weeks - Paris is breathtakingly spectacular. From the moment I landed at the airport, I knew that Paris will be a special place and it has been an experience more wonderous than what I have ever experienced or had anticipated. The grandeur and glamour of this place is truely amazing - it never fails to surprise you where ever you go.
Walking the streets, you can feel the history of countless people who have walked the same Rue
as you. Looking up and catching a glimpse of the peak of the Effiel tower - wordless awe. Touching the giant Louis Vuitton monogram suitcase in front of the Champs Elysees store - utter ectasy. Climbing the bell tower of Notre Dame to reveal the sprawling city - unimaginably tiring. Catching the stares of people as I walked out of Dior with a gigantic shopping bag wider than most doors - stunning. Fighting my way through the trongs of people at the Louvre to see La Jonconde - anti-climatical. Climbing the giant H staircase at Helmut Lang - inspirational. Standing at the place where Marie Antoniette had their head chopped off - hilarious. Having the doors openned for you while shopping at boutiques - priceless.
No matter where you are in Paris or what you are doing, Paris never fails to make you feel special. Alas, Paris is beyond superlatives and is an experience I hope everyone will enjoy.
Au reviour
On the way home from Oxford Uni
Sometimes, well, many times, I wish I was a Londoner. To live the lifestyle and experience the pace that only comes with a cosmopolitan city. But what does it mean to live as a Londoner. Well, after waking up in my recently renovated terrace in a post modern minimalist design (in which suburb I'm not sure yet but I have noticed that the houses are nicer and the cars are more expensive around Kensington and Knightsbridge - where Harrods is), I will go for a quick jog around Hyde Park. Returning home, I will take a quick but warm shower and gaze contently within my walk in wardrobe while I browse my many selection of clothes - a la boutique style.
Then I'll hop on the Underground and catch the Tube to work - towards east London where the financial district is and pick something up for breakfast at Starbucks. As with any usual day at work, it'll be coffee break, gym, lunch, smoking break then home - not always in that particular order. After work, I'll meet up with friends for dinner at some cosy restaurant close to home or they can come over and I'll make something spectacular - like I always do.
On the weekends, I'll hop into my luxury hatch (BMW 1 series; Audi A3's; or the Mini) and drive off into the country - to have lunch at Bath, watch a game at Manchester, go to the beach somewhere on the south coast or pick up intellectual chicks at Oxford (with rich parents of course), the kind that aren't attracted to wealth, money and fame - someone opposite to myself.
But of course I am living in London right now - in a hostel that is about to fall apart or will after I'm finished with it; I am eating frugally and the kitchen here is so under equipped; my wardrobe is a shelf where I have sorted my clothes into woolens and knits, t shirts, pants, under garments and miscellaneous; I am walking to almost every destination in London; the tube is reserved for desparate situations; I have no local friends to meet up for dinner; and trips to the country is via public transport. At least I am enjoying the shopping here.
on the way to London
After being assinged rather dimal seats located towards the end of the plane, I knew we were in for a long flight and the fast approaching hoard of mainland school children only confirmed my suspicions; they were on the same flight. So after an uncomfortable flight with unusually disappointing food, we landed in Hong Kong at 4:30 in the morning and only the warmth of early monring dim sum brought any comfort. After being assigned rather dismal seats located towards the end of the plane, I know that we were in for a long flight, but somehow, we managed to sweet talk the check-in chick and landed what would have to be considered as business-class like seats only in the economy - right at the front economy class where the only noise came from the gallery just in front and the abusive air conditioning; and in hindsight, probably a good thing because this had acclimatised me to the briskly cold weather that is in London.
So as I sit here in this internet cafe, I am periodically gazing out the window and looking at the stunning building that is the Hilton Hotel in Paddington but I'm only staying a block away. I look up every now and then because people walk by; cars go by; buses go by; scooters go by; but above all, it is qutie cosy in here.
As you can probably guess, London is very cosmopolitan and surprisingly, quite clean. It is a paradox of the old and new; stunning Victorian mansions decorated in ultra modern minimalist furniture; wide spacious avenues filled with Mini's, Smarts and hatches; the rich browsing and mingling with the poor; unassuming cafes and Starbucks; gigantic structures built against moments in history. As I watch all of these and more happenings, you can only stand transfixed, fully engrossed in nothing which can only happen in a city like London.
To be able to experience all these things; things that you have read about, seen on television, heard from other travellers is quite undescribale. For me, it is a monentous achievement and one that I hope I can relive and others can experience.
So as my internet time starts to expire, I am placed in a rather uncomfortable position - pay another GBP1 for another 20 minutes or venture unknown into the streets.
on the way to board the plane
For some rather unusual reason, I am feeling extremely tired. I don't know if it is from the anticipation or the expectation. Either way, I am tired. Or probably because I had to catch the train standing up today because my train was late and I happened to have chosen the carriage where a fat person sat, taking up 2.7 seats of a 3 seater with no one leaving until Central Station. Sigh....
So before I leave, I hope everyone takes care of themselves. Look bright, stay happy and believe that dreams come true.
on the way on the way to London
The expectation that something good to happen is a feeling that does not happen often for me. And when it does, I remember it. Every emotion and ounce of energy I try to prolong as long as possible. Right now, all I can think about is
bon voyage.
