Shan in Japan

A very whirlwind visit to London is already over. Partied up in Soho on Saturday night and took in a few sights the following sunday. Went out to the Camden markets and had to buy a jacket because still so cold! Took a walk past Big Ben and admired the view from the London Eye ferris wheel before boarding the Eurostar for Paris. Yeah, so London is not such a bad place afterall - at least in small doses.
Lacking sleep, I hardly noticed my trip to Paris as I snoozed all the way. Quite a strange feeling getting off a train after a short trip and suddenly the language, currency and overall atmosphere is completely different to that when I boarded the train. I was lucky to make a French friend when I was in Sri Lanka who put me up for the first night. I indulged on all the goodies like champagne, crepes, various cheeses and rich desserts. French diet seems far richer than the English diet, yet nobody appears to be overweight like the Brits. Red wine must be the secret perhaps. Picked up little sister from the airport first thing this morning, checked into our funky little art deco hotel and knocked back a coffee on a streetside cafe (as you do when in Paris) before heading out for the afternoon. First stop was the Eifel Tower naturally. It's probably been over 20 years now since I came as a kid and this time I made sure I got to the top - no matter how much time and money it would cost! My French is terrible, but I do have my disclaimer (could you please speak English - parlez vous Anglàis, sou vil plais!!) down good. Little sister seems to be doing all the talking for me. This is good! Paris is exciting. Much to explore.