Boarding Eurostar in London and getting off in Paris is still a minor miracle. And it takes only about 2½ hours, which is quicker than going to many parts of the UK by train.
Getting off the train, we immediately felt the heat, which contrasted with a chilly spell in London.
At Gare Du Nord, we dropped off our luggage at a nearby hotel then went exploring the area around the station. We found this relatively secluded park full of locals, enjoying the weekend sun. The Villemin Mahsa Jina Amini Garden – as it’s known – was not a typical French park: formal and highly manicured. Instead it resembled an English park, including a playground.
After lunch in the park, we took the metro to Montparnasse. After saying goodbye to Helene, I walked to the Eiffel Tower. It’s still as spectacular as when I first saw it many years ago. I was blessed with a blue sky that showed the Tower in its best light.
On my way to a restaurant, Restaurant Vege, I came across some glamorously dressed people outside the International Art Gallery. They wore vivid outfits. I asked someone what was going on. He pointed towards a woman, saying she was a “famous artist”. She’s the one in black with a hat. I watched as some photographers with fancy cameras took shots.
I had my camera with me and started taking photos too. Soon some of the attendees began to think I was one of the photographers there! In my best (rubbish) French, I said “Excusez-moi” and jostled amongst attendees. Some people started posing for me! The black woman in the photos below started posing then was turned around by her dresser. Apparently her boobs were popping out. After some careful tugging, the black woman turned around, by which time other photographers had gathered.
After that entertaining diversion, I continued to the restaurant. I enjoyed a falafel and hummus with a salad. The freshly squeezed grapefruit/lemon juice was just what I needed on this hot day.
