Lennox's Paris Diary 2006: Monday 20th March
Monday 20th March 00:05 (French Time)
Mood: Fairly wankered
Dear Diary,
After we left Burns at the hotel, Kimmi, Sam and I went to the bar opposite the hotel. Later Lauren and Emily came too. A Jack Daniels and coke cost 7€50 so I only had enough cash for one. Maybe it was a double. Maybe I got screwed. Right now I don’t really care.
Lauren and Emz came to our room but Mike, Rob and Paul sent them back to theirs. Which was a bit of a shame. I’m hoping that tomorrow, wait, tonight (?), will be drunkerer. Is that even a word? Ah well, call it a neologism.
Monday 20th March 17:31 (French Time)
Mood: Entertained
Dear Diary,
Soon after I almost managed to sleep, Lauren and Emily came back into our room. We didn’t get much sleep after that until three in the morning although Lauren and Ali may have been awake for longer as they got pretty close, arms around each other. In hindsight I feel bad for spreading rumours about them and making her out to be a whore.
It was funny at the time.
I ended up sleeping in and almost missed breakfast. We left for La Defense and I got my camera. I think it is broken or something and it would not wind on and I could not get the back to open. We ended up eating more McDonalds again; this time I had a portion of chips. We looked in H&M and I tried on some hats in search of a Beret. Sarah and Gemma actually bought things from H&M, which I thought was a bit sad, as we hadn’t come all the way to France to go to Bournemouth.
Le Grand Arch had a lift that, for 7€, you could ride to the top, examine some pretentious ‘art’ and spend money in the clichéd and overpriced gift shop. When you had finished at the top, realised you couldn’t see anything a view because of the fog and decided not to spend all of the money you own on a - what should have been solid gold considering the price - sandwich or Eiffel Tower statuette, you descend back down to what constitutes for solid ground via the lift and are free to explore the rest of the corporate area. I was not overly impressed.
The concrete modern art of the buildings was interesting for a minute or two however we soon moved on out to the Sacré Coeur.
Visiting the Sacré Coeur, possibly my favourite Parisian landmark, brought back lots of memories from previous Paris trips. The cathedral itself does not particularly impress me. I look up at a statue in one of the many alcoves and all I can think is “Well, there are lots of sculptures in the world, and this one is not even painted”. In an alcove towards the rear of the building was a scale model of the cathedral itself and I found this infinitely more impressive. I have done air fix before and I know how fiddly it can be. Although having said that, throwing a pot can be quite difficult and messy too. The model was lit up with coloured lights so it shows they put some effort into it, although not enough to warrant me donating money.
Every time I visit the Sacré Coeur I like to sit on a pew and think. Like a form of meditation, but whereas meditation is supposed to clear the mind, this is a time for personal reflection.
After my relaxed introspection, Lauren and I went beret hunting. We found some and went exploring the various gift shops around the base of the cathedral. Either we kept walking into the same one over and over, or they are clones of each other. Like stormtroopers but with cheap tat.
Mood: Fairly wankered
Dear Diary,
After we left Burns at the hotel, Kimmi, Sam and I went to the bar opposite the hotel. Later Lauren and Emily came too. A Jack Daniels and coke cost 7€50 so I only had enough cash for one. Maybe it was a double. Maybe I got screwed. Right now I don’t really care.
Lauren and Emz came to our room but Mike, Rob and Paul sent them back to theirs. Which was a bit of a shame. I’m hoping that tomorrow, wait, tonight (?), will be drunkerer. Is that even a word? Ah well, call it a neologism.
Monday 20th March 17:31 (French Time)
Mood: Entertained
Dear Diary,
Soon after I almost managed to sleep, Lauren and Emily came back into our room. We didn’t get much sleep after that until three in the morning although Lauren and Ali may have been awake for longer as they got pretty close, arms around each other. In hindsight I feel bad for spreading rumours about them and making her out to be a whore.
It was funny at the time.
I ended up sleeping in and almost missed breakfast. We left for La Defense and I got my camera. I think it is broken or something and it would not wind on and I could not get the back to open. We ended up eating more McDonalds again; this time I had a portion of chips. We looked in H&M and I tried on some hats in search of a Beret. Sarah and Gemma actually bought things from H&M, which I thought was a bit sad, as we hadn’t come all the way to France to go to Bournemouth.
Le Grand Arch had a lift that, for 7€, you could ride to the top, examine some pretentious ‘art’ and spend money in the clichéd and overpriced gift shop. When you had finished at the top, realised you couldn’t see anything a view because of the fog and decided not to spend all of the money you own on a - what should have been solid gold considering the price - sandwich or Eiffel Tower statuette, you descend back down to what constitutes for solid ground via the lift and are free to explore the rest of the corporate area. I was not overly impressed.
The concrete modern art of the buildings was interesting for a minute or two however we soon moved on out to the Sacré Coeur.
Visiting the Sacré Coeur, possibly my favourite Parisian landmark, brought back lots of memories from previous Paris trips. The cathedral itself does not particularly impress me. I look up at a statue in one of the many alcoves and all I can think is “Well, there are lots of sculptures in the world, and this one is not even painted”. In an alcove towards the rear of the building was a scale model of the cathedral itself and I found this infinitely more impressive. I have done air fix before and I know how fiddly it can be. Although having said that, throwing a pot can be quite difficult and messy too. The model was lit up with coloured lights so it shows they put some effort into it, although not enough to warrant me donating money.
Every time I visit the Sacré Coeur I like to sit on a pew and think. Like a form of meditation, but whereas meditation is supposed to clear the mind, this is a time for personal reflection.
After my relaxed introspection, Lauren and I went beret hunting. We found some and went exploring the various gift shops around the base of the cathedral. Either we kept walking into the same one over and over, or they are clones of each other. Like stormtroopers but with cheap tat.
Monday 20th March 23:55 (French Time)
Mood: Tired, sobering and very happy.
Dear Diary,
My sister texted me earlier today. She asked me to pick up the My Chemical Romance DVD from HMV. I told her I would do what I could but did she realise I was in France? The dopey cow had forgotten.
After the evening meeting, we went to a bar further away from the hotel than normal. After a lot of messing about, Burns and I went to what is now officially our local. After a beer, the rest of the group met up with us. Eventually I smashed a glass and everybody ran away.
Mood: Tired, sobering and very happy.
Dear Diary,
My sister texted me earlier today. She asked me to pick up the My Chemical Romance DVD from HMV. I told her I would do what I could but did she realise I was in France? The dopey cow had forgotten.
After the evening meeting, we went to a bar further away from the hotel than normal. After a lot of messing about, Burns and I went to what is now officially our local. After a beer, the rest of the group met up with us. Eventually I smashed a glass and everybody ran away.
On the way back, Tom gave Gemma a piggyback but it all ended in tears when Tom tripped and Gemma smashed her face into the pavement. Surprisingly, it was Tom that cried, Gemma didn’t seem too bothered. I guess she may feel differently about it when the alcohol wears off and she sees how fucked up her jaw has become. Poor scar face.
posted by Lord Lenox at 5:56 PM
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