Europe (London-Paris) (1st and 2nd half day)

Hey! I've chosen to update here in my blog instead of in youtube. Parents said i was weird talking to a netbook and so i feel shy now to record myself! =P Well, besides, there'll be a lot of updates to be updated once am back, so i figure why not update my journey while i'm still here? It'll be fresh. :)

For those of you who don't know, i'm currently backpacking in a small part of Europe for 15 days with my family. I guess i'll start jotting down here what's happened from the start.

I departed from LCCT airport at 3pm on April Fool's Day. Had a 13 hours flight!  At first, the journey was still alright. After the first 3 hours, i started to constantly ask my dad for the time and counting down till the landing. Thank God for my Kindle. If not, it'll be even torturing.

The torture chamber behind us

It was night at around 9pm London time when i reached London-Stansted Airport.
I stayed over in the airport till 6.30am the next day to catch the first bus to London. There were a lot of people sleeping at the benches and even on the floors in the airport. Quite a sight to see.

People sleeping on benches

After a one-hour journey from the airport, we reached Liverpool street and took a train to King's Cross St. Pancras station. Thrilled to see the buildings in London on the way there.The train stations are also amazing. Couldn't believe myself that i was actually in London. Anyway, when i reached the station, i only remembered that King's Cross station was where they filmed Harry Potter! It was the station where every September the first, he took the train to Hogwarts. Too bad, half of the station was under renovation.




The King's Cross Station



St. Pancras Station

We boarded Eurostar to Paris in St. Pancras station. Usually to go to Paris from London by bus, you need at least 8 hours. But by this train, we reached in 2 hours time. It was really fast. But very dizzying for me. Anyway, guess what. I saw Brooke Fraser while waiting for the train! At first when i saw her, i suspected it was her but wasn't that sure till i saw her name on the musical instrument box she was carrying and her hooked-nose. She was just 2 steps away from me but i didnt say hi though. Later on, i found out she sat at the same couch as mine! Just a few seats away. Well, wonder why was she heading to Paris. :)

In the Eurostar train. Notice the two heads in front? The right one is Brooke Fraser. Haha!

Along the journey to Paris, witnessed pasture of green grass with cows, horses and sheep. It was really a sight to remember. My first time seeing such scenes real life instead of in pictures. Kinda envy those people who stay there. I've always dreamt that i can stay on those green hills with farms at the side.

Reached Paris at 11.30am. My first impression of Paris when i was viewing it from the window of the train was the bandit area in Maple Story. Haha. That was because i saw many graffitis on the walls. It was quite creative. We arrived at Gare du Nord station. One thing we realised after a few visits around Paris. They have a lot of huge HUGE train stations. And all of them have marvellous designs and architectures. We went out from the station to search for food. Now, my first impression of the people there. Creepy. I could see many people hanging around outside the station flirting at girls, and eyeing people. One of them even called out to us in Japanese language. Well, maybe they were just trying to be friendly. This impression got worse after lunch when we headed back to the station to take the Metro. We saw many rude, mischievous-looking, raucous people. Most of them don't know how to speak in English but French. Fortunately we also met really helpful and friendly French people. They used sign language with us.

in the Gare du Nord station

exterior of the station. Get what i mean by huge? lol

The first train we took was a nightmare especially to my dad. Haha. It was because he expected the trains to be cleaner, brighter and more modern looking since its Paris. But this first train was very interesting (to me) yet in the same time creepy looking. It looks quite old like it was already there for 50 years back. It has 3 levels. Lower, middle and upper level. Felt bit regret for not taking picture there because was carrying luggages and also was afraid the people might not like it. After that, the rest of the journeys the trains are all alright. They have a lot of lines and we had to walk along tunnels to reach to another station line. Pretty interesting. I guess the underground of Paris is practically full of underground tracks and trains.