Paris from Germany

21.10

Well right now I am sitting in Lottas car on the way to her parents holiday house in the Netherlands...it is quarter to eleven. Don’t get too excited I don’t actually have internet here but I haven’t updated my blog in so long I was beginning to feel really guilty! Not that

I should be surprised, I have never succeeded in keeping a journal for longer than two months. In reflection what a waste of paper!

We are listening to a German singer called Jan Delay who is quite famous apparently and I like his music. On Sunday we will go see his concert which is exciting!

Well I guess I should continue from where I left off in Paris and tell you the rest of my weekend...

So on Saturday we woke up quite early and lazed around for quite a while...whilst getting ready to go into Paris. Storm cut my hair which took up a few hours and then of course being girls we had to get dressed and ended up going into Paris at around 3.30. Well it would have been quicker but we had to walk to the train station so that occupied another half an hour. It was ok going in late and we just went to the Eiffel Tower straight away. Oh but I can’t forget to mention our little hiccup on the train.

So me not being experienced in the way of public transport in Paris I was just following Storms lead. Like the day before and I thought what was normal in Paris we jumped the metro as opposed to paying 2 euros for a ticket. Of course this just happened to be the day when traffic control were out asking everyone for their tickets. Storm tried to tell the lady we thought you had to buy tickets at the end of the journey and that we were going to buy them now....when that failed we tried the ‘the ticket machine was broken’ trick but she wasn’t fazed! Luckily she took pity on two young Australians and instead of charging us 40 euros each she charged us 20. Still rather annoying but I guess it is another of those things that has to happen to you at least once...right?! So after that some budgeting was needed but we still splashed out and bought tickets to climb the Eiffel Tower...well it ended up being cheap having our students cards with us which is geerrrrreaaaaat!!!! In the end we decided against the stairs and took the elevator up, which was enjoyable! We didn’t stop at the first level because we figured it wasn’t high enough for us and continued onto the second. Still wasn’t thhaaat high but the vies were beautiful from there. The two disadvantages were that one; my camera decided to run out of battery so all the photos are of bad mobile quality, and two; we failed to bring the appropriate jumpers and although we enjoyed the views our coldness was a definite downside to the second level!

When I felt the first drops of rain we lined up to get to the top level rather quickly. I am not scared of heights but after a while in the elevator it felt like we would never stop and I began to voice my worries! But it was worth it, because even though from the second level the views were pretty from the third it was indescribable! Also whoever designed to tourist side of things was kind enough to build an indoor viewing platform so we didn’t have to worry to much about the cold. By then it was dark which is better for me because it is my opinion that cities look better at night!

Storm and I both texted our families letting them know that whilst they were in the Shire we were at the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Whoever designed it also put up little notes saying how far away different countries and cities were. However he/she kindly forgot to factor Australia into that chart which was very disappointing for us. Just because we are far away doesn’t mean we don’t exist!

When we left and went down again it was about time to head home. So after buying a crepe we walked to the metro and after purchasing our tickets we got on the metro and headed home. I think this was the night that Storms family were very generous and picked us up from the station. Which was good because after a few conversations with some local boys we didn’t feel like walking, especially after informing them that ‘no we didn’t speak in French in fact we were Chinese!’

On Sunday we decided that being tourists was rather enjoyable and went on a river cruise down the Seine which stopped at the most famous places in Paris. It was a beautiful day for a river cruise and seeing them was great. At the Notre Dame there was some kind of fair on and outside was a little gospel choir performing and they were really good! For dinner we went and bought a fresh baguette and some different toppings and ate on the boat in an attempt to be even more touristy than before! I think we succeeded :)
When the tour was over the boat stopped at the Eiffel Tower and I said goodbye and we went home once more to the little flat in Croissy.

But not to bed, because by the time we got there it was quite late and after being informed that the next day we would be walking to the train station we decided the safest bet would be just to stay up all night as it was at 4.00 in the morning we would leave.

Now the journey to the train station is one which can be told tomorrow as it is now 3.40 am and my body clock is telling me sleep is long overdue!

The city of all cities - Paris!

Well, a two hour plane flight, no security and forty minutes waiting in the airport and I am in Paris! And it is even better because I am here with Storm!!!

In the span of two days we have had a lot of adventures already! The first being how to get home from the airport...so I arrived here at 9.40 am on Friday and after unsuccessfully ordering a Latte, which turned out to be hot milk, forgetting which nationality they were and speaking to them in Spanish (I am sure that was rather offensive!), and getting very annoyed at the pay phones because they only used credit cards Storm found me in the airport! It was so big and some people that worked there had those cool little electric scooter things that look like they are from the 25th century!

Eventually we found our way home, and after a 30 minutes walk from the station to Storms house we were quite exhausted - my day starting at 4.50. So we had some oatmeal to boost our stamina and get ready to go into Paris. We met one of Storms friends at the Louvre and had went to see some little vintage shops nearby - good vintage as well, not op shops! Actually like Cristian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Unjaro Ter etc...

After that we went to Montmartre, which was an absolutely beautiful church. You weren't allowed to take photos inside it but it really did take my breath away. Seeing things like that makes you understand why people are religious. I had my first French crepe yesterday as well, with egg and cheese....rather strange for something that looks like a pancake but it tasted good!!!!

At 10.00 we decided to head home...which took a lot longer than expected! Getting on the wrong metro, and ending up at some little creepy station. Then having to go back again. By the time we were on the right train it was getting rather late! Then we were informed we had to walk home....at 11.00 with some pretty creepy dark alleyways, it wasn't really preferable. Then a lady waiting for her two sons whose phone we had borrowed said she could drive us home if it wasn't too far. Turned out Storm didn't know wether she lived in Chatou or Croissy...thinking that they were just one place as that is what the station is called! So when the sons arrived we led her on a bit of a wild goose chase around the whole town (s) until we at last found our street!

A bit of an adventure for my first day here!

¡feliz cumpleaños!

Well now I can buy knives and legally drive a car! That is right boys & girls I am SIXTEEN! So insure your cars everyone because when I come home there are going to be a lot more dents in them. Oh and grazers, we are all equal for another few months! Shame I can't be there to remind you!

The first people to see me as a 16 year old were my sisters, mum, aunty (Lulu), animals and Megan!

Who were skyping me last night/this morning! I had a nice day, woke up at about 10.30 to my grandma calling me and from there answering a stream of messages...because I am oh so popular!

I also got quite a lot of phone calls which was great!!! We had a special birthday lunch with paella (traditional Spanish food), salad, bread (always) and afterwards.....CAKE! I always love listening to people sing 'Happy Birthday' because no one can ever get that note right and it is really entertaining! Next time your at a birthday party you'll see what I mean if you haven't already noticed! My family also gave me a necklace which was a nice unexpected (but good) surprise!

I went a lay by the pool for a while trying to get some sun but it was rather late and the sun went behind a building - in Mullumbimby that could never happen, only mountains - so it didn't last as long as I had hoped! Oh well, maybe on Monday, becaauuuseee I don't have school (in a singing voice)

I booked myself in for a Balinese massage tomorrow which will be interesting and hopefully good, I figured I always have Thai ones so may aswell try something new!

Tonight I am going out to a party with one of my host sisters for her friends birthday party so hopefully it will be fun! But we'll see about that tomorrow.

Paella and Raul (host dad)

Making my wish!

Yes I had a siesta!

Guess what time it was....

6.30! and the sun was still shining.

El Fiesta del Pilar!

Long weekend people! Last night I went with some girls from my class to the carnival near La Vaguada.

Had my first Chorizo which was yummmyyyy!

And there was a park near the carnival that was just like top park (for those of you who know) only with about 15 + times more teenagers in it!

Cathy has a thing for skaters and every time she saw someone with a skateboard it was like she had just been told she won the lottery, it was very funny! Oh and I showed her photos of my school and all the boys skating and she practically had a fit! Obviously not many skaters here.

There was also this concert, I didn't stay for long but I think they were just little bands from around Madrid...did a little dancing but mostly just walking around,

oh and I went on one of those whirly things, and it did a lot more than the one at Brunswick!

I need a massage baadddly now!

Sana, Cathy, Lydia (in the back ground) and some 15 year old..

and finally....Spain!!!

Beautiful

Me rowing!!

El Parque del Retiro

El rastro....leather!

A fishing net?

The pool.

Puerta de Alcala

Well I have been here for nearly a month now! And have pretty much adjusted to all the differences here. There are a lot! On a school day I wake up at 7.30 and school starts at 8.30. For breakfast there is never toast with vegemite! Although I did bring my own jar all the way from Australia, on weekends I have it! Spaniards usually have a glass of warm milk and a doughnut or something sweet, but I stick to my tea (which I brought from England) they don't drink tea here...only coffee! School consists of 6 lessons for 45 minutes, and we only have a half an hour break the whole day, challenging for me! Here they learn a lot more history than in Australia and for music we are learning flute........................!

So after school, 2.30, I come home and have lunch. Traditionally after lunch is when you have a siesta I have had one but not really my thing, usually I update myself on all the goss in Australia :) All the shops also close then so if you want to buy anything they re-open at 4.30/5.00. There is a semi-big shopping center about 10 minutes walk from my house called La Vaguada which is also fun to go to! And when I say semi-big I mean three stories.

My family are very nice and big, 4 daughters and the parents, and of course Nala (the dog). I have done quite a bit of exploring the city and am a regular metro user!

And for all you people that like soccer/football my flat is right next to the hotel that Real Madrid stay in and I have seen a few of the players around...unfortunately no Ronaldo yet!

When I finished all my books (a big disaster for me) I had to go in a search of an English bookshop! Google helped me out and I found one called J & J's books and coffee, owned by an American and her husband with heaps of second hand novels and a very good atmosphere! The bartender was also from Australia, he moved here two years ago from Adelaide. I met some nice English people there and had a very (strong) latte! I recommend for any book readers in Madrid!

My Spanish is gradually improving and trying to learn a few new words every day, but it a lot more challenging than I imagined, they have about 100 words for 'you', seriously! why bother?

I have made some friends at school, and tonight we are going out to a concert at La Vaguada because this weekend is El Fiesta del Pilar, which means it is also a long weekend! And of course my birthday.

So I am planning a good weekend!

English is my least favorite subject here! My teacher is so annoying and always tells me that Australians have bad accents. Huh! She should hear herself.

It is really entertaining hearing people hear trying to pronounce my name and every time I order a drink from Starbucks I have to spell it out. In role-call they used to call me Grace because it is my second name and I think that confused them a little!

Anyway, I will keep you write again soon!

Mucho amor!

Great Britain aka England or the United Kingdom!

First stop: Brighton....

When I arrived at Heathrow (a little too early in the morning) uncle Monty picked me up in his mini! It was a lovely day and before we went to Brighton we stopped in at Susus (grandma) for the day. We had lunch out in the garden and I went for a wander, found some raspberries on the vines which was yummy!

We said goodbye after lunch and drove back to Brighton. It was beautiful like always! We dropped my stuff off in the flat then when to go catch the end of an air-show down the road. It was my first ever and very noisy! They had loads of antique planes and re-enacted a scene from WW2 which everyone loved. They also had a very strange looking helicopter that is being used in Iraq now, I didn't like that one much!

My time in Brighton was extremely enjoyable, I also went and worked with Monty for two days (he is an editor of miniworld, a magazine about...minis!) I went shopping in the lanes and bought some shoes, and of course went down to the pier!

From there on....it all gets a little jumbled! A lot of traveling around London, and a lot of train tickets to!

After Brighton I went back to Susus for one night and then on to my aunties (Mary), she has just recently had twins and I met them for the first time! They were extremely sweet and I fell in love instantly! And of course Gracie and Harry who are so obviously English! With blonde hair, blue eyes and white skin....I love them too! I made friends with Barbara who is their Au Pair and the next day Mary, Roo and the kids went off to Church Farm and I stayed for the weekend with Barbara and Ali (cousin) came as well. It was a very fun weekend indeed! I went clubbing with Ali and her friends and caught a whole lot of trains.

Ali and I also went into London and did a lot of walking and looking in shops, I went to the DM shop, and they were so beautiful. I couldn't buy a pair as they were really expensive (FML) but when I go back at Christmas they will be my first purchase!

On Sunday we got locked out of the house and had to do a lot of waiting around for Alis friend to come with the keys!

Then that night I caught another train to Tessas house. Saw the family for a night and looked after little Rosie...well not so little...on Monday and had some bonding time! I had to try being a child again and played games like 'hiding the toys around the house and finding them, and then afterwards we get a snack' and 'who is hiding under my bed!'.

Then it was off again early in to morning to Church Farm (home to my aunty Katherine, Adam {uncle}, Josh, Ali, Lukas and Hester {cousins}) Once again a very short visit! Ali had come down with some sickness so I just relaxed for the day and walked around the farm a bit! Then in the morning I went with Katherine back to Susus where I stayed for the weekend. Went out to the pub and had dinner with Mr MgGinty, Vanda, Susu, and aunty Pam, all over the age of 65...which was a different experience! We also went to Ashridge which is a national park and i had cream tea and scones! Then just once again spending time with Susu and going for walks with Bessie (susus dog) to the village, and of course chatting to Ron and Mr MgGinty about life in general!

The next week was quite the same as the first! I went back to all the aunties houses again for seconds! As well as seeing Karin & Robin (some family friends in London) which was very fun!

Then at the end my last stop was Church Farm. I had a great last few days there, but I didn't go on the motorbike! Next time! On my last night Hessie, Kash, Adam and I went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant and had an extremely.....uhhhhhh strange waitress!

Then it was goodbyes and off to Spain! Although, not as easily as I had planned unfortunately...when we arrived at the airport -after Lukie and I had had our fun with the free wheel chairs in the parking lot- Ryanair informed me that I wasn't allowed to fly because I was only 15 and they had changed the rules about flying. So I panicked of course! But luckily Kash was there and in the end I booked tickets with Easyjet. But we had to drive back to Church Farm as it was later that day from a different airport. I spent the day reading my book on the trampoline and trying to tan in the English sun! So I have vowed never to fly on Ryanair again and so far I am doing a good job of it!

Two weeks is never enough but I had an amazing time with everyone there and can't wait to see them all again!