Paris III: The end of the line

We walked from the 2nd last stop of the metro line to the last stop to see the square arch at La Defense. This was followed by a brunch of ham and eggs.

We then embarked on a quest for an umbrella in the supermarket but this was no avail. However, a market stall furnished us with said item for a song. Needless to say it did not rain.

We walked along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe.

We then went to the Opera to look for P's favourite Japanese noodle bar. After fruitlessly wondering around, he decided to find out the location of the Japanese bookshop near it. He went to the Japanese department store, Mitsukoshi and asked the Japanese sales assistant for the location of the bookshop. After finding the bookshop, we found the noodle bar.

The ramen was hot and wet but could have done with a couple more slices of meat. However, after a few bottles of Asahi Extra Dry, my carnivorous side was assuaged.

Continuing our cinematic evenings, we went to see Appleseed. Although the plot was complex, my selective translation of the subtitles meant I understood the plot that I could translate. It's generally a good film. The CGI animation works well although the philosophy and flashbacks got a little weary. There could also have been some more combat sequences.

Paris II

After a croissant on a park bench, we headed to the centre of Paris.

As it was the first Sunday of the month, we took advantage of free museum admissions and visited the Louvre and the Pompidou Centre.

On our way to the Egyptian section, we walked like a tomb raider and sought the secret entrance rather than the crowded pyramidal one.

That evening we went to see Land of the Dead - at the other cinema in Les Halles.

Pieds in Paris

I went to Paris with P today, catching the Eurostar.

After arriving at Gare du Nord, 2.75 hrs later, we grabbed a baguette & a croque monsieur before plunging into the bowels of the subway. We travelled SE beyond the borders of the 12th arrondisement to reach our hotel, the Best Western Le Saint Maurice , in the St. Maurice area, near the Bois de Vincennes park.

The hotel has 3 stars and is situated by the Marne river.

We soon headed into the centre for a a good dinner Au Pied de Cochon 24 hr near the Les Halles shopping centre. I ate the signature dish with cheeks & a tail. It was very filling as was the onion soup with a slab of melted cheese on top.

Afterwards, we went to see Godzilla: Final Wars at its sole Parisian theatrical release. Well, the rocking soundtrack was maxxed out. The action was fast 'n' furious and there was something for the humans to do whilst Godzilla et al. wrecked the Earth.

Ryuhei Kitamura's directorial style (Azumi & Versus) was ever-present with men in flapping coats and women in short skirts.

Amongst the Japanese cast, there was the sole presence of an American with a katana: Don Frye, a wrestler in Japan.