Train ride from French Alps to Paris. Got to the train station to start the journey around 630am. As the train approached these set of battlers that are my family, dragged all our baggage to what we thought was the first carriage of our first train to Paris. Got to the first carriage only to realise we didn’t actually have reserve seating for this leg of the trip. With this phenomenal piece of information we learnt whilst looking for seat numbers in the train as it started moving, we all looked like lions about to pounce on its prey at feeding time. The four of us were looking for the son of a bitch who stole out seat! Didn’t we look like idiots. Ended up standing for about an hour or so. I was lucky enough to find a spot on the stairs of the train where I had a fat woman’s ass in my face.
Rocked up to St Germain; an area of Paris. Staying near the Luxembourg gardens. Not too shabby at all. Walked around that arvo and had a squizz walking by the Seine and checking out Notre Dame. Again, no Quasimodo. Unlucky. After lugging the luggage around all day, we were luggered! So many lugs.
Next day was our last full day in Europe. This meant it was the last day I’d spend in Europe after just over six months. Was kinda sad which means obviously I had an unforgettable time.
Although we had all seen it before, for me twice in just a few months, we couldn’t not scoot by the Eiffel Tower. Got a bus there because the weather was crappy. Did the usual tourist shots and tried to be voluntary extras for some tourism campaign being filmed in front of the tower. On a sneaky side note, I know I’ve said it already, but I’m real keen to find out whether the Eiffel Tower and Harbour Bridge are made of the same materials. Anyway, got a few cute family shots for the album with a world icon feature in the background.
Word was out Mitch and Jess Cullen were frothing around town on a family holiday. Couldn’t not see them. Want to make clear before I go on that, to my knowledge, Mitch and Jess aren’t related to the vampire Cullen’s from those teenage heartthrob flicks.
Met the Cullen twins at Notre Dame. Had a jolly old time as the four of us shot the shit as we frolicked up towards the Arc De Triumphe, detouring through the Louvre. All eight legs were smashed by the end of the walk, feeling like buckling at the knees towards the end of the walk back to Notre Dame. Was bloody brilliant running into you two. Cheers for spending the last day with this backpacking battler.
As we flew out of Charles du Gaulle airport in Paris, an energy of excitement but disappointment came over this Battler. I was excited to get home and see my mates and home – home in the sense of not just my house but my life as I knew it up until the morning of the first of July. The disappointment from the fact I was leaving one of, if not the greatest thing I have ever done with my life. I felt the exact same feeling as when I was leaving Sydney going to Europe. Strange but expected