It’s 10.38pm and I’m sitting in my bed in Paris. I’m exhausted from the day but its been amazing. Yesterday was a full day of travel, it’s the worst snows of 30 years over here and disrupting all forms of travel.
The day before yesterday I went to Brighton which was an amazing way to start the end of my first European experience. Brighton is a populare coastal city in the UK – sadly, or fortunately, it was snowing, even on the beach! Don’t know when I’ll ever see that again! It’s a very student orientated town, lots of quirky shops, pubs galore but what I liked most was imagining the ladies ith their parasols wandering the parades along the beach. There is such an 18th Century feel to the place, so much history that has been retained.
This is where the mods and rockers rumbled, where Charlie Chaplin played, Jane Austin went to be inspired. I had a lovely fish and chips while watching the snow fall over the ocean. A cold but wonderful experience.
So then I packed my room for good, Toorah East Finchley and all the drama’s of that house. I’m glad to no longer live there, but am sad to leave London, its been the most amazing experience. I feel more at home here than I ever did in Perth or Pingelly. There is no bravado with people and I think I’ve found myself while I’ve been here.
You have to become independent and brave and know yourself. I’ve learned so much. For all the business, the cold, th expense, the commute, London helped me accept me and I will always love London if just for that sole reason.

I’ve made one life long amazing friend, seen things I only dreampt of, been inspired and shocked, given art, theatre and night life. So so so much to love and miss. I’m not the same girl I was when I left a year and a half ago and I’m happy to say so. Tatty-bye London… thankyou and I miss you already.

Apparently I’ve decided to travel during the worst winter blizzard in 30 years. London and Germany are at a standstill according to the BBC news – exciting and dreadful at the same time. With my 20kg backpack and hand luggage – consisting of books, books, books! I headed out in the dark at 6.30pm to get to the tube.

When I got to the station I met a couple of other girls on the tour, all of us jumping on the Euro-rail. Catherine from Sydney and Debbi from Brisbane. We were very lucky and got an upgrade to first class! Free breakfast of omplette, cheese, sausages, tomatoe, potato and croissant – not to mention TWO cups of tea!

The trip from London to Paris was a lot longer than expeted. Because of the snow there were constant delays, then at Lille we had to switch trains, all a bit mad but an interesting way to start my trip.

I’l run over the boring stuff. It was a very long day, we got to our hotel, there’s about 45 of us and all Australian or Kiwi’s – bit weird to hear the accents again, forgot how piercing they can be! There are some scay Australians, well bogans rather, who seem more interested in drinking their weight in alcohol. I get along reasonably well with Catherine and we’ve been sharing a room which is lucky.

So, hotel, we dropped our stuff off, freshened up and headed off for a tour around Paris. It was dark by this time so everything was lit up and what a spectaculare city it is. You just didn’t know where to look. We were given an over view of everything, sparking ideas of where to go the next day. I felt exhausted but couldn’t wait to get out there!

We had a group dinner in the heart of the city. It was terrible to say the least. I was sat near the door so the minus four degree breeze blew into me each time another person came in. The seating arrangement made it so hard to speak or get to know the others on the tour. The staff were abrupt and I ordered a salad and ended up getting pork patte – I DON’T EAT PORK! But gave it ago… very strange and actually not to bad. The main course was a very bland chicken and a slice of cold cheese for desert… Not sure I agree with the whole French cuisine just at the minute.

The wine was terrible and I do question the concept of France having the best of everything regarding food and vino!

By this time I just wanted to go to bed, but off we went on a boat tour down the Siene which (although the commetry was more to do with advertising sponsors than history) was beautiful. A perfect evening introduction to the most romantic city in th world.

I need to be more succinct with my writing, so much has happened in such a short amount of time, I’ll never get it all down!

So, onto gay Pari! We were dropped in the city near the Royal Opera house – this alone is utterly magnificent, the detail that’s gone into these buildings, time and love, dreams and passion. Oh! I forgot to say the evening before we saw the Eiffel Tower all lit up. In the night it is beautiful and daunting, I could believe there I was, staring up at it… not in a book, but here, all rugged up and buzzing with fascination. I cold not believe how fortunate I am to have these opportunities. I took a quick film for my sister… wanting her to be there with me.