Parents leave, pilot arrives…
The pilot, also known as my French gay best friend who isn't actually gay, or Steve to most, arrived late evening the day my parents went home, so thankfully l managed to get an afternoon nap in before my tour guide duties started again.
First stop catch up drinks…
By the mechanical fountains. Confirming that drinking two bottles of red wine in the space of 3 hours probably wasn't the best option for a light weight like myself!
Not impressed with my constant picture taking by the third photo.
Day 1: Precipitation
Now given this was my first glance at hideous weather since leaving Australia l was caught slightly off guard when Paris decided to rain, especially as l had a guest who had no intention of visiting a museum which ruled out any ideas l had for indoor activity.
First stop, coffee and croissant. Now l cannot tell you how amazing it is to be with someone who is recognised as French, and isn't just attempting to speak French with a horrific accent (like myself).
Why l hear you ask? Better service, better seating and frankly better coffee!
(Thanks Sarah)
Then as there was still nothing to do we went for lunch.
Finally a light bulb went off (plus l decided l would prefer not to be 16 stone by the time the pilot left) and as luck has it Paris shows very few movies dubbed in French so thankfully the cinema was our viable option.
Followed by pizza (Steve)
and falafel wraps (which have become part of my staple diet since moving here).
Plus flower ice cream! This is what a triple flower looks like *cough cough not mine*.
Followed by a walk along the Seine and past the Notre Dame – I did try to get him in for a cultural Notre Dame documentary which was kindly refuse.
Day 2: Paris Plages
Thank Christ the weather turned around as l was all out of “things to do when it rains in paris” and so was google.
Now l have been dying to get on Paris Plages since arriving but as there are so many other things to do l could not justify flying to Paris, to lie on a man made beach, on the banks of the Seine – until today.
Now initially we were in the wrong spot and there was no sand to be seen (and l was not happy about it).
So l whinged and whinged that we should move and find the beach!
Which we did.
“Seriously Natalie, stop taking pictures!”
Steve had another friend to meet at this stage and l got to hang around the beach and pose for some selfies.
Until the guy in the red shorts in the shot beneath thought that l was trying to get sneaky snaps of him – eeekk!
So l stuck to the scenery.
Love Paris.
Pre drinks.
Steve remind me again why we are drinking South African wine in France?
Now there could be some confusion here as to us eating, given there are no photos of it. However l was duly told at the dinner table that the restaurant was not a tourist place (the pilot is French as previously mentioned – well actually he is also half English but refuses to acknowledge this) and “please do not take any photo's with your enormous camera”.
So sad, so all l managed was to steal a business card.
However it was extremely delicious, we started with Pernod mixed with almond and mint? Not something l would ever think of ordering but it was delightful.
Ratatouille for entree, rabbit avec legumes, and scallop risotto for main and cherry tart and creme brûlée for desert. It would have made for some great photos l can tell you but sadly it was not meant to be.
Then the pilot left…
N xo
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