In and around Paris

3.9.11
An easier morning, with a sleep-in after our big day yesterday. In typical French style, breakfast and getting ready took us until around 10am,when we walked across the bridge to the suburb where Shelly did their washing and we went to the supermarket. Still not able to connect to wifi and although there was a McDonalds there, we didn't feel like going to look for it. I managed to communicate to the non-English speaking pharmacist that I had a "mal throat: je voudrais du lozenge". Whatever I said she understood that I had a "mauvais gorge" and needed some "pastilles". And what pastilles they are! Sore throat was numbed instantly.
A quick 'dejeuner' of some products from the patisserie (tarts) before heading into the city for the hop on, hop off bus tour. What a beautiful city Paris is -despite the millions of other people who think likewise. The austerity of the typical English architecture, compared to the flamboyance of the Frence is probably an obvious sign of the difference in cultural behavours. The Eiffel Tower, particularly at night when the City of Lights really shows it true spectacle is quite awesome and the views afforded from the boat cruise we took down the Seine were stunning.
After the hot, sultry (Qld summer) type day, it was inevitable that there would be a thunderstorm and this happened as we were cruising down the Seine. Probably only lasted 15 or so minutes, but enough to send most inside under cover. Michael and I persisted outside where there was some cover, but we still got quite wet -almost a relief after the sweaty day we had.
Instead of finding somewhere to eat in the city, we decided to head back to the campground for pizza. Made it just in time before closing at 11pm. Hang on...we thought we were heading back for an early night. What happened there? How easy it is to fall into the European way of life!