Lille
Arrived in Paris on the night train about 10am after yet another train being delayed. Got the metro to the Gare de Nord (Paris North station) to catch the train to Lille. Here's where the fun really begins. [FYI Flandres is the old train station in Lille, Europe is the new one (both still in use though)] My ticket says "Lille Flandres", the board says "Lille Europe", the chick at the reservation desk says "Lille Flandres", but the train says "Lille Europe"... so anyways I tell Justine that I will be arriving at the "Flandres" station, figure I can trust the chick at the desk and my ticket...
So I get on the train, and when we arrive I ask the girl next to me which station we are at... turns out to be "Europe". So she walks me to the Flandres station - 5 minutes in the rain!! Great... I still only have my sleeveless Nike top on (Hey, it was hot in Madrid!) So I look for Flo and Justine but can't see them anywhere, SMS Justine and she said they worked out that I was going to Europe station and they are there... wait where you are, we are coming to you! Ahhh, so I feel like a right goose, and wet too!!
Anyways, all's well that ends well. They found me, went back to their flat, settled in, had a shower (hot Madrid day, night train, rain... no shower = stinky Richard!) and then we went walking around town. Went out for tea that night and then went for a beer at Palace Cafe, kinda like the old Club Surreal back home for those that know it (just the down stairs part, but bigger). Beer, dance, dance, walk home, SLEEP!
The next day we went to the Market (heaps of people), Art Museum, Government House (All open and free due to some special weekend in Lille) and then to the show/fair thing - just like the Hobart Show, but no animals or craft stuff - just rides and dodgy food!! I had this massive donut like thing that was sliced in half and filled with Nutella.. OMG, how sickening!! And yet delicious at the same time. Also saw this zoo/park thing that had an array of animals - the thing that shocked me the most was the Kookaburra they had... first Aussie I had seen in a couple of days (bar Bianca on the train - long story, no time here).
So anyways - Lille was different, and yet strangely familiar. The weather was just like autumn back home, but my lack of French really hampered me... thanks to the guys who spoke in English and did the the wonderful running translation of ER for me on Sunday night!
Monday was a sleep in, and then train to Brugge... stay tuned for the story of Brugge in our next exciting chapter!
So I get on the train, and when we arrive I ask the girl next to me which station we are at... turns out to be "Europe". So she walks me to the Flandres station - 5 minutes in the rain!! Great... I still only have my sleeveless Nike top on (Hey, it was hot in Madrid!) So I look for Flo and Justine but can't see them anywhere, SMS Justine and she said they worked out that I was going to Europe station and they are there... wait where you are, we are coming to you! Ahhh, so I feel like a right goose, and wet too!!
Anyways, all's well that ends well. They found me, went back to their flat, settled in, had a shower (hot Madrid day, night train, rain... no shower = stinky Richard!) and then we went walking around town. Went out for tea that night and then went for a beer at Palace Cafe, kinda like the old Club Surreal back home for those that know it (just the down stairs part, but bigger). Beer, dance, dance, walk home, SLEEP!
The next day we went to the Market (heaps of people), Art Museum, Government House (All open and free due to some special weekend in Lille) and then to the show/fair thing - just like the Hobart Show, but no animals or craft stuff - just rides and dodgy food!! I had this massive donut like thing that was sliced in half and filled with Nutella.. OMG, how sickening!! And yet delicious at the same time. Also saw this zoo/park thing that had an array of animals - the thing that shocked me the most was the Kookaburra they had... first Aussie I had seen in a couple of days (bar Bianca on the train - long story, no time here).
So anyways - Lille was different, and yet strangely familiar. The weather was just like autumn back home, but my lack of French really hampered me... thanks to the guys who spoke in English and did the the wonderful running translation of ER for me on Sunday night!
Monday was a sleep in, and then train to Brugge... stay tuned for the story of Brugge in our next exciting chapter!
posted by Yoda at 01:42
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