Day 08 - 08-12-06

Surprise surprise - it was raining today - hooray. Should make sight-seeing something fun. But we'll see what we manage.

The first stop was to go see Hôtel des Invalides - essentially a military museum as well as the Église du Dôme - Napoleon's tomb. It was pretty cool to have a look as some of the military history of the French. Like pretty much every military historical sight I've visited, they play up their own efforts in any conflict they've been involved in. It's sort of amusing to compare this history of, say World War 2 with that of London's Churchill Museum verses Washington's Smithsonian. Just call be a cynic.

While inside the Hôtel, the wind blowing a gale - must have been overflow from the tornado's in London.

I think a major reason why so many people smoke, not just because they're French, but to keep warm.

We managed to make our way down through the wind to the Eiffel Tower - only to find out the bloody thing was closed due to high wind. The bastards! Trying to thwart my every move. Heading towards the Metro, we climbed up through the École Militare - which has a great view down towards the tower and the Seinne in the background. On top, I gave in and bought myself a crépe chocolát - which was magnifique. Eating it while overlooking the tower was just a very French moment. And if you were wondering - a crépe chocolát is a warm crepe smeared with nutella - still delicious but sounds much better in the french.

Heading out to Charles de Gaulle to pick up Kathleen. Her plane from London was delayed by an hour - bloody BA. The train to Charles de Gaulle terminal 2 was delayed by an hour - it stopped a terminal 1 instead. We then had to catch bus #5 to terminal 2 instead - thoroughly confusing.

While waiting at the airport, I managed to get a drunken phone call from Anthony Swann who was calling from the Normanby and just felt he had to fill me in on his antagonising of another cricket team we played in Winter. Just wonderful.

Went to dinner at a restaurant recommended by Lonely Planet called Julien. The food was great - if a little confusing due to the menu's being in French (duh!). They did manage to provide us with english versions of the menus - which appeared to be quite different from what was in the French menu's. Oh well - we managed to survive and I avoided ordering pigs feet.