We arrived in Gare du Nord, Paris after almost missing our EuroStar because someone decided to go back to his university to wash his clothes. Strange? But true!
Let's rewind abit of what happened earlier. Let me tell you, if we missed the train, the reason would be the joke of the year. We ran all the way to Alan's to pick up our luggage, then ran all the way to catch the next train to St. Pancreas station. As soon as the Underground train's door opened, we jumped out of the train and ran like crazy loons to check into EuroStar. And as if its our luck, we had the furthest train platform and train seats at the very end of the train. Huffing and puffing, our breathing could blow the 3 piggies' straw hut away. The train started moving as soon as we sank on the comfortable seats. I was expecting us passing a bridge connecting UK and Paris. However, my phone came out a message indicating I am now in France. It's a quick ride and we arrived in Paris before we know it.
Suddenly, we were swamped with loads and loads of human in Gare du Nord. English words were replaced with French. Everyone was walking really fast without any breaks installed. It feels more dangerous than crossing a street. When we finally found the Information counter, the line was so long we almost fainted. But we had to stand in the line anyway. We get a taste of how the French greets their visitors. The lady at the Information counter was rolling her eyes and talking back in French to an English tourist in front of us. The guy obviously did not understand. The lady raised her voice, banging at the table and asking him to go somewhere else to ask (I figured out by her wild expression). I wonder where else can you ask an "Information question" when you couldnt get the help from the "Information Counter"?
We braced ourselves when it comes to our turn to face The Lady. Suddenly, The Lady knows how to speak English when we asked to buy the Paris Visite pass. I have nothing more to say.
Off we go figuring out where to catch the train out from this over crowded station. We were pushed inside a sardine-packed train. It was so hot and we could barely breathe inside the train. We hopped off at Tour Eiffel station. As we ascended the stairs, there's a familiar looking tower. I was thinking to myself, "This couldnt be Eiffel Tower". It looks like another television tower. Su was saying "Yes! It IS the tower".
After dropping our bags in the Not-So-Easy-To-Find Hotel (as it was located in a small alley), we went back to Eiffel Tower. Along the way, we found yummy Macarons! It's starting to get dark and when we finally arrived, the tower is lighted up.
The tower was more massive than I thought. Now, it LOOKS like Eiffel Tower. Tourists flocking every corner of the tower. There was a long bee line to go up the tower. Anyone seeing such line will just give up. But like all other tourists who made ALL the way there to Paris, we stood together in the line. The queuing and waiting was well compensated with a spectacular night scene of Paris. I'll leave out the pictures of the view from the top as I don't think any photos will do a fair deed. You have to see Paris at night with your own eyes. Period :)
However, I would love to share this video with you guys! ENJOY!
1 comment:
Nice pix of Eiffel. I took a vid of the tower lighting up too, almost from the same place you were, lol. I would love to see the tower in yellow, as that is really the classic look. But at the time of my visit was all lighted up in blue :)
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