It seems most of Paris wants to go to the Exhibition centre. That particular spot is somewhere out in the country side not far from Charles de Gaulle airport. It takes anywhere from 30min to 2 hours to make the journey depending on the number of stops (can be up to 12), the number of people, whether the French train system is actually working and terrorists. The latter group of people can be quite useful at times. Yesterday I went from St Germain des Pres metro to St Michel (Notre Dame). This is only two stops and has the advantage of then being a straight line to Parc des Expositions. Useful because if one can find a seat the journey is then reasonably comfortable. If not, the journey descends to hell. Well St Michel was really quite empty, the carriages were quarter full and I found a seat easily. Might have been something to do with the bomb scare the previous night (which I knew nothing about). A few years ago St Michel was attacked and 7 people died so I guess the Parisians remember that. In any event I spent the next few stops in comfort until we arrived at Gare du Nord. All of Paris decided to use that station to get on the various trains. A great mass of people surged on to the carriage and filled every nook and cranny including personal space. Of course no one makes eye contact or talks. This great mass of humanity then spent the next 30 min collectively sweating, sniffing, scratching and no doubt farting.
I found for example myself facing at very close quarters the crotch of a potbellied Indian seikh. His personal body odour was a cross between a three day old beef curry and something Iggy had spend the last ten minutes pushing out his bowel. On the seikhs right was two Chinese or Korean gentlement. Deprived of a direct line of sight to hawk and spit their flem they made do with trying to get it out the window. A pity really as the window was jammed approx 1 cm open. I can report that only 4 out of 5 attempts were successful.
On my left a couple expressed their undyeing love to each other in English. It was 20 nauseating minutes of Mills and Boon drooling and the only thing that stopped actual intercourse was a lack of pelvic thrusting space.
A great relief when we reach the Parc des Expositions - I'm taking a taxi today.
Gengelphus.
That made me feel slightly ill mum :P
ReplyDeleteSad your last day but seems like you had heaps of fun!
Had a lovely day yesterday got to have a walk in the gardens with daniel. Have a look at the daffodils they are so beautifull!
Went out this morning with daniel. Going to settle down with a milo and book now :)
Enjoy your last day
Love sneezy and me xx
Ali! Gengelphus is a man. That was Dad's vivid prose about the sights and smells of the metro. Poor Dad who suffers from a weak stomach at the best of time. I bet you were heaving!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you treated yourself to a taxi on the last day.