And so to Paris

Thanks to S's fabulous organization skills the troupe stuck together for the first leg our different journeys home. Thus the get up, eat up, prepare lunch (using non-blogger sourced bagels and leftovers) pack up and clean up was a well choreographed arrangement with everyone ready to exit the apartment on schedule.

Bags ferried down the four stories via the worlds smallest elevator (room for either two suitcases or 4 replacement knees, claustrophobic conditions automatically included) and off to the tram stop again to perform the well tested notion of not paying for the short trip to the train station. 

Whilst we were waiting it was interesting to see a large contingent of cops with a sniffer dog checking out all the arrivals. No indication of what they were looking for.

We managed to get the luggage in the proper place early on the train (so there was no nursing this time) and we shot through exactly the same type of countryside as the other areas of France. It's all very seemingly consistent throughout the land. Crossed a significant slice of it agsin at very high speeds.

Once disembarking at Garde de est we all said our farewells, au viors and ooo roo's in the  main concourse as S&N headed home to Bucks via the Chunnel to be home by dinner time to resume their normal lives, whilst J&S to Stains to spend time with family for a few weeks. Bucks is picturesque whereas Stains lives up to its name apparently. 

Blogger and non-blogger turned left and ploughed into extensive underground labyrinth known as the Metro. Had issues with the ticket machine accepting credit cards and in the end inserted cash, much to the relief of the huge queue building up behind us. Then the fun really began, down stairs, lugging the luggage, many stairs, a few concourses and then many more stairs. Really felt like we'd passed through the earth's crust and was running into the molten bit. More stairs. More lugging. Lots of looking at the maps on the walls as well.

Deep imbedded memories came into play. It also helped that non-blogger remembered the obsure name of our destination, so with a two trip, crowded carriages we arrived at the La Tour Marbourg and a short escalator ride up popped out at a very pleasant little park with a wecoming bench in which we sat, caught or collective breaths,  had our previously prepared lunches, used our devices to determine where to do the lugging to next. The hotel was about 5mins lugging the luggage away and we were very happy that when you lean precariously out the window and look left there is clear view of a very impressive steel structure that looks like it was modelled on the Arts Centre spire in Melbourne. Slightly bigger, but I guess you can only improve on the original when giving it a second go.

After an hour or so kip/rejuvenation (not reslly a siesta, but as effective) we headed out to what has changed in the town over the last 17 years.

Wandered up to the river, which was going off with cruise boats plying the waters, local kids screaming and yelling in delight as they practiced their soccer skills,  tourists throngs strolling along the banks with everyone seemingly enjoying the balmy afternoon sunshine.

When we finally got to the tower was disappointed they've secured the entire base of it and must pay to walk underneath it. Not sure if this was based on security or extracting more from the visitors pockets. The second reason is definitely an outcome. Still there are numerous locals selling models of the structure, now they have flashing lights in them. Woo hoo. After sussing out possible slow tv capture points we walked away in the direction of base. 

Stopped for a refresher on a pavement café where we went through the non-blogger service top up scenario again and then back to a joint very close to home to have dinner on yet another footpath. Whilst blogger dashed back to the supermarket and the room to set up the sunset capture from out the window on the jury rigged tripod.

Sitting and watching the world go by was fascinating. The street we are on is a narrow thoroughfare and has a constant stream of peeps going about their business. They kept do so well into the small hours, so whilst the room is well appointed, it still has no sheets, is overly warm and can't control the aircon. Sure can't open the shutters due to the incessant sounds from the street below. So a disturbed night's sleep  but really not a problem as there is no stress involved. After all, we are on holidays. And in the heart of one of the 3 big metropolis in the world.