Remember that day we went up the tower...

Monday called for another meal out, this time with my fellow Northern and French studying pal Briony and her friend Fi, big shout out to you both, lunch was great, the wine was greater and the company was the greatest. I then went to Briony's nearly finished flat, got over emotional at a sofa and a glass of proper squash before heading back home. 

We then headed to Auchan on a Christmas tree buying mission. We accidentally stumbled upon the British section in the supermarket. Olivia proceeded to very excitedly shout about all the British food she had forgotten existed, much to the amusement of the rest of Auchan's clientele. It pretty much went downhill from here when we got far too excited in the decoration section and ran the risk of our room looking like Santa's grotto. However we now have a festive room and it's lovely, except the lights, which only have ones setting- flashing. 

I'd not had a pint in a while...

The flashing lights did add a shite-club'esque vibe to our predrinks on Monday night, we eventually made it out and to O'Sullivans, yep I'm doing a module in 'Irish drinking establishment's in Paris' studies as part of my year abroad and what. I paid 8,20 euros for a pint of strongbow, wept for a while then all this was forgotton as they played Mariah Carey 'All I want for Christmas is you' and all was right with the world. 

Once again our taxi experience was enhanced by the worlds greatest taxi driver- Mathieus. Now I should point out that although it may appear like it, it is not compulsory for French taxi drivers to tell you their name, Olivia tends to demand it from them in order that we can tell them all about every intricate detail of our lives in Paris. "Excusez-moi monsieur....taximan. Comment appelez-vous?"

We told him how our mission was to battle the British stereotype of being terrible at languages, ironically in probably the worst French he had ever heard. Mathieus, on behalf of Britain, I apologise. 

Before the dreadful revelation...

Hostel food simply wasn't an option yesterday, the only thing that would make me feel semi-normal again was a Mcdonalds. It hit the spot and then we headed towards Jardin de Luxembourg. We went the wrong way and never made it, this was just a sign of things to come. 

We then took the metro to the tower as we had tickets to go up, it was just the most perfect sunny day and we should have made it to the top just in time to see the sunset across the city. We visited another Jewish war memorial on the way, and took an unacceptable amount of edgy photos of everything Parisian before ambling towards the tower. Now I should point out how excited I was to be going up the tower, and having already bought tickets online we wouldn't even have to queue, so we practically skipped up to the woman on the gate tickets in hand, so ready for the adventure ahead. 

"Ces billets sont d'hier" 

Yes. Olivia had indeed bought tickets for Monday not yesterday. So we didn't make it up the tower. We did however manage to see the sunset from Trocadero overlooking the tower and the city so all was not lost. 

In terms of the bucket list, I've managed to remember a night out and keep my shoes, but the tower remains unvisited for now...

Did I mention I loved Paris...