Matt Tate and I are ready for our flight to New Year's shenanigans in Paris
A crazy-artistic shot to start off the photoset of the craziest New Year's adventure I've had: trip with my friend Tate to Paris, France!
Pretty much the coolest piece of airport art in the world: the floating cube tank at Pearson International in Toronto
As if we were space travelling to our adventure, they have this futuristic-looking "Express" Walkway to the international pier at Person Airport
My friend Matt Tate, travelling with me to France for New Years
where is Andrew now? part 2: the adventures continue. This express walkway really booted it!
Out of all the airports I've seen so far, I still think Toronto Pearson is the most beautiful
Waiting for our flight to Paris, the scenery at Pearson helped me warm up my photo skills again
I totally dig the architecture and art at Toronto Pearson
Architecture at Toronto Pearson
Architecture at Toronto Pearson
After this point Matt didn't smile too much in photos. Oh well
I can't go anywhere in Toronto without running into people! My university classmate Paula was flying from Pearson too; she to Dubai
The trip's adventures begin. Because she thought I asked very politely if Matt and I could change seats to sit side-by-side; she bumped us up!
Paula got to fly on the brand-new immensely huge Emerites Airbus A380
Cheers buddy! Starting our first class flight with a champagne toast
Matt settles in to his first class "executive suite" pod thingy
Later in the flight I reclined my seat into a completely flat bed and slept soundly!
And let me tell you, First Class on our Air Canada flight was pretty spectacular. Watching everyone walk past our premium seats was kind of cool!
Groovy lighting in my 1st class pod, table cloth, and a G&T
The start of our first class meal
Main course. You know... Not a bad flight at all
Completely refreshed from the luxurious flight, Matt and I arrived in Paris. Matt went off to stay with his brother's sister-in-law who lives in Paris
And I was very excited to see my good friend Karolina again; to stay with her mother as I had two years ago
Leaving Charles de Gaulle airport, one of the amazing retired concorde is on display
Dear Ford, please don't stop with the Fiesta in your plans of importing the cool European versions of your cars
After settling in, Karolina and her boyfriend JB took me to the mall. Difference versus Canada: people don't walk in an orderly manner
We went to the grocery store for some traditional French food; and I caught this little surprise
Our dinner ingredients: Raclette (a special type of cheese for melting) and three bottles of wine.
Jean-Baptiste (JB) prepared the raclette grill. Raclette is sort of like a different type of fondue.
Karolina prepared dinner. It's truly a blessing to stay with a family who actually lives the local life when you're travelling.
As well, staying with a family affords you hospitality and real food that you just can't get at a restaurant!
Meat, cheese (raclette), potatoes and wine with the raclette grill in the centre.
My great friends and the best hosts in the world: Nathalie, JB, Karolina and Marta
This is how the raclette grill works. The cheese melts in a little pan underneath; potatoes and meat grill up above
Then you put the deilicous melted cheese over the grilled potato. Mmmmm
After a great night's sleep, I excitedly ventured from Marta's house in the nearby village of Conflans-Ste-Honourine into downtown Paris
But we failed to meet successfully. I did, however, meet the two girls joining us from Holland: Mara and Tamara.
I love these VERY Parisian metro signs. I was planning to meet Matt and his brother's sister-in-law Bella...
(Yes, their names are really Mara and Tamara!). When we couldn't find Matt and Bella; the girls and I went ahead with the day's plan: Disneyland Paris
Mara and I in front of the Disneyland Paris entrance
I can't lie, Mara and Tamara were more excited than me to see Disneyland; but I guess Disney World Florida is a bit far for people from Europe
So, maybe their excitement was similar to my excitement at going to Disney World as a kid? Regardless, it was neat to see a "French-ish" Disney
The downside to Disney is spending your day in line
The winter weather somehow didn't have a very "Disney" feel. The Christmas tree helped a bit
Now, Space Mountain was definitely exciting
Space Mountain
Disneyland scenery
Disneyland lines. Neat feature: you can get a card that tells you when to come back for the ride; so you don't *literally* have to wait in line
Disneyland scenery
Disneyland Scenery. Disneyland Paris is like Disney World but with worse weather.
The other big difference: people in France don't walk in an orderly manner like in North America. In line-ups everyone pushes to the front.
More Disneyland scenery
Still more Disneyland scenery
The Disneyland haunted mansion
Waiting in line for the haunted mansion, Tamara gave me a Dutch chocolate bar. The grooviest I've ever eaten
Tamara met Matt by chance on a rafting trip when she was exploring Canada last year. She brought her friend Mara to join us for New Year's in Paris.
The Disneyland Paris castle
I'm sounding critical in my captions I realize. It was actually pretty neat. Looking down Main Street towards the Castle
Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Paris. The idealized Disney-version of America for Europeans to experience
Miraculous out of the huge crowd, we ran in to Matt and his brother's sister-in-law Bella! Amazing!
After riding several more rides and waiting in more lines, Disneyland Paris lit up for the night
Despite the sarcastic tone of my captions, I did have a fun time at Disneyland Paris
Later in the evening, the castle's holiday lights were pretty spectacular. Not a bad day; but one visit to Disneyland Paris is enough
On the subway ride back from Disneyland to downtown Paris, Matt looked alert...
But the long day quickly overcame us all
Exhaustion even overcame me
Returning from Disneyland; I needed to see some REAL European scenery again. First stop: the beautiful Palais Garnier, Paris' opera
The big difference of this trip versus visiting Paris in spring 2008 is the sun sets early in winter! So I got to see the City of Lights shining more!
Visiting over the holidays I also got to see holiday lights; like the amazing lights of the Galeries Lafayette; Paris' most famous department store
Many of the narrow streets were lit up for the holidays too. Even one decked out for a Canadian Christmas!
Imagine your office being "the green box by the Seine". Very cool!
In many spots along the Seine (esp. in front of Notre Dame) are these green boxes that artists rent
Second morning in Paris: hoping for a successful rendez-vous with Matt, at the Christmas tree in front of Notre Dame
One of Paris' most famous sites: Notre Dame; as beautiful as on my last visit
The iconic bell towers of Notre Dame
The carvings around the main doors to Notre Dame
Detail of the statues and masonry of Notre Dame
It was neat comparing Paris in Winter to Paris in spring from my last visit. Gloomy weather; but more Christmas decorations
I was excited to spend the day with the group exploring Paris and seeing more traditional European sites than Disneyland
In front of the Notre Dame Christmas tree
And success: Matt and I met as planned in the morning!
Shortly after meeting Matt, the Mara and Tamara joined and we were off for a Parisian day
Side view of Notre Dame, showing one of the famous rose windows and flying buttresses
Paris has just installed bike rental stations all over the city. Cool!
Picturesque cafes dotted every picturesque street corner. You had to investigate the prices though; they gouge tourists
The crazy narrow, ancient streets of the Latin quarter near Notre Dame
We made our way back to the Saint-Michel metro stop where we found a nice cafe with reasonable breakfast prices
Mara and Tamara
Our traditional French breakfast arrived
I had a terrific hot chocolate
Matt and I inadvertently dressed the same. Oops!
Matt enjoys his breakfast
The french breakfast at our cafe (Le Depart Saint-Michel) was amazing. Perfect baguette, perfect croissant
Next stop: Sacre Coeur. Even from a distance its architecture is impressive
Sacre Coeur is a tourist hotspot even as you get near. Hold on to your wallet!
Sacre Coeur benefits from a perch at one of the highest points above Paris. Makes it look more impressive
Matt and Tamara at the steps to Sacre Coeur
Matt, Tamara and I
Mara and Tamara
As you climb the steps to Sacre Coeur, the view of Paris gets better and better
Looking up at the famous domes of Sacre Coeur
Looking out at the Parisian cityscape. The colourful factory-like building dead center is Centre Pompidou modern art museum
The weather was cloudy, damp and cold our whole trip, but didn't really get any rain
All along the steps and plateaus of Sacre Coeur are "salespeople" trying to rip off tourists. They're very aggressive
Lots of tourists around Sacre Coeur
Walking up the steps to Sacre Coeur
At the top of the highest point of Paris, you get an amazing view from Sacre Coeur
The Parisian cityscape from Sacre Coeur
The Parisian cityscape from Sacre Coeur
The Parisian cityscape from Sacre Coeur
After visiting Sacre Coeur, we all warmed up with some hot red wine (first time I've had steaming hot wine)
We walked about the famous streets of Montmartre, the artist's quarter near Sacre Coeur
The square of Montmartre. When I visited in the spring of 2008, all the restaurants had outdoor patio service set up here
There square is filled with artists painting charactactures
Not sure why this tourist wanted his portrait done with his arm hanging out...
The crowded, beautiful, narrow streets of Montmartre. I couldn't imagine driving down them!
Near Montmartre, saw this clever statue
Our next stop was the beautiful Jewish Quarter. Saw numerous Orthodox Jews in traditional attire, and a menorah hanging on the side of this building
Lots of Jewish shops and specialty restaurants in the Jewish Quarter
Our destination in the Jewish Quarter, Paris' best fallafel. With a line up like this, must be good!
Bella met us for lunch... she recommended this fallafel place
And my high expectations were gloriously exceeded! Mmmm
Mara and Tamara anxiously wait for their fallafels
L'as du Fallafel is even recommended (recommanded) by Lenny Kravitz.
Silence all around as Bella, Mara, Matt and Tamara sink into their fallafels from the Jewish Quarter
After lunch, we walked along the Seine. Notre Dame in the background
Walking along the Seine, checking out the beautiful Ponts (bridges)
One of the many Ponts along the Seine
We crossed over to Ile Saint-Louis, a beautiful small island in the Seine opposite Notre Dame (which itself is also on an island)
La Seine
Hotel De Ville (Paris City Hall)
There's a nice skating rink in front of Hotel De Ville. You should have seen the line-up!
We visited La Defence, the modern commercial district at the edge of downtown. The skyscrapers are concentrated here. La Grande Arche is behind me.
We walked down the Champs Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde in the distance. The famous trees lining the avenue all lit up
Sign of the excitement ahead for New Years at the Champs Elysees - the line of police trucks running up and down the avenue.
As evening fell on New Year's Eve, we checked out the Champs Elysees. The Arc de Triomphe in the background
Heavily armed police were everywhere getting ready for the New Year's crowd. We knew enough to avoid Champs Elysees later in the evening!
Lots of people along the Champs Elysees getting ready to celebrate New Years
The Obelisk of Luxor stands in the center of Place de la Concorde. Egypt has been asking France to give the Obelisk back.
Place de la Concorde at the end of the Champs Elysees. They set up a giant ferris wheel for the holidays in the middle of the traffic circle
Walking down the Champs Elysees. Yes we walked on the sidewalk; the traffic islands help with these dangerous-looking photos
Walking back up the Champs Elysees again, caught the French Flag above the Grand Palais
Champs Elysees looking back toward the Arc de Triomphe
The crowd looked nice and festive; but there were clear signs it was time to get going....
The not-so-beautiful side of large crowds
Preparing for New Year's Eve on the Champs Elysees: shops barricading their windows as if preparing for a hurricane. Soldier stands guard
The crowd gets thicker along the Champs Elysees
Police vans ready and waiting on a side street by the Champs Elysees. Time to leave: we were going to the Eiffel Tower
The Swarovski windows get boarded up for protection against New Year's revelry on the Champs Elysees
This bar was quite literal in advertising a good time
Before heading to the Eiffel Tower, we re-grouped at the same cafe we had our delicious breakfast for some cokes
Little did we know; they sharply jacked the price at night! Tourist lesson learned. Ouch!!!
Ouch! We certainly savoured the cokes
Mara and I couldn't believe that three bottles of coke could possibly cost 24 euro!
Getting in the New Year's spirit, I put on my French flag-coloured tie.
The four travellers ready for New Year's fun at the Eiffel Tower. Tamara, Matt, Mara and me
Matt, Tamara and Mara. Yep, that's the Eiffel Tower directly behind us. Great viewing spot for New Year's!
Fueling up on a baguette before New Year's
Mara
Matt and Tamara
I'm not sure drinking in public is legal in Paris, but everyone was doing it. Quality boxed wine!
We had a great view of the Eiffel Tower
Instead of fireworks, they installed a very cool led computerized light show that made the Eiffel Tower really shine
Unfortunately, they didn't have fireworks this New Year's at the Eiffel Tower.
At midnight, the Eiffel Tower started to sparkle like a diamond. We were expecting fireworks to mark the New Year, though and there wasn't a public countdown
Ringing in 2010 at the Eiffel Tower
Ringing in 2010 at the Eiffel Tower
Ringing in 2010 at the Eiffel Tower with amazing light effects but no fireworks
It's easy to hear other english travellers in the crowd and to strike a conversation with them. Met these two girls from New York
Gotta say, flying to Paris for the trip with Matt was a pretty exciting way to spend New Years
Mara and Tamara met with a colleague of theirs from Holland who was also spending New Years in Paris
Thanks Mara, that's the best endorsement of my kissing skills I've ever had!
I caught a picture of the only fireworks we saw near the Eiffel Tower
Ringing in 2010 at the Eiffel Tower. A little blurry; but wanted to show the colours the lights created
The crowd at the Eiffel Tower was very thick but we had no problems
Huge crowd at the Eiffel Tower... and it was this thick on the other side of the river too.
Ringing in 2010 at the Eiffel Tower
Heavily armoured police made their presence clear
Police in heavy armour by the Eiffel Tower
Police in heavy armour by the Eiffel Tower
We didn't have any issues with the crowd, but I was nervous of getting glass in my shoes
The side effect of drinking in the streets in Paris for New Year's
Mara knows that tetra-pak wine is safer for drinking on the streets
The crowed slowly makes its way to the metros late in the night
Matt and I took a stop to see the Louvre at night... hardly anyone around in the middle of the night
The Louvre is beautiful lit up at night
Looking at the Louvre at night
We chatted with a few travellers from Italy. In sum; a pretty awesome New Year's night
The size, detail and history of the monuments is amazing; and the cemetery itself is enormous
In sum, it was a really interesting and very calm place to visit among the bustle of Paris
The oldest monuments are like cathedrals
Ancient grave monuments at Pere Lachaise
Didn't end up meeting with the others; so had a relaxing time exploring the cemetery.
It might sound weird to explore a cemetery; but these photos show why Pere Lachaise is such a draw for tourists: the monuments are incredible
By the time I caught the metro back to Marta's house after New Year's it was 6am! Slept in, then went to explore Pere Lachaise cemetery
Ancient grave monuments at Pere Lachaise
Ancient grave monuments at Pere Lachaise
No, these two aren't crypts; they're chapels at Pere Lachaise
The sun sets early in the winter in France. You can see the Eiffel Tower from Pere Lachaise cemetery
The quiet paths, trees and towering monuments at Pere Lachaise cemetery
Ancient grave monuments at Pere Lachaise
Over the long history, there wasn't a lot of organization to some of the graves at Pere Lachaise
Pere Lachaise's major tourist draw: Jim Morrison's grave. Surprised after everyone had talked about going to see it how simple the grave marker is.
A band playing traditional french music in the metro station
Stopped for a late lunch of a delicious Nutella crepe
Got the crepe from the crepe stand outside this nice boulangerie in the Latin quarter near Notre Dame
Notre Dame and the Christmas tree lit up at night
I went for New Year's mass at Notre Dame and had the pleasure of hearing the famous organ and world-class choir. Amazing
Inside Notre Dame at night after mass
Detail of Notre Dame at night
In the evening, I met up with Matt and the girls for dinner. This fondue place had huge blocks of cheese; but was too pricey
The restaurant was excellent. I had a delicious coq au vin; my favourite french dish
We found a decently-priced restaurant in the Latin Quarter, complete with very talented pianist and singer. Final evening with Mara and Tamara
And final evening with Matt. He stayed a few days longer in Europe than me; but was off to Zurich on my final day in France
Mara and Matt had creme brulee for dessert
I opted for sorbet with vodka. Hey; Polish guys like vodka.
These are the suburban trains that take you to the towns outlaying Paris; I took this to Paris from Marta's house
My last full day in Europe before flying home, I decided to visit Brussels, Belgium. Thanks to the high-speed train you can do that for the afternoon!
Paris to Brussels less than two hours thanks to the Thalys high-speed train (almost 300 km/h). This ad says Paris is not on Earth?
Arrived in Brussels at about 5pm; already night! The train station wasn't located in a very touristy area; so I wandered around looking for sights
My first impression of Brussels wasn't actually very good: the non-tourist areas don't have much charm.
Saw plenty "Salons de the" - tea houses; were mostly men hung out to chat, smoke and drink tea. Like a pub
Streets starting to look more charming the farther I got from the train station; but still didn't find Brussels too charming
The Bourse-Beurs (stock exchange) is a beautiful building in Brussels
This modern mall in Brussels that I walked through had very neat Christmas lights
More wandering the streets of Brussels. Looking more charming as I go
I started to check off the "must do in Belgium" things. Fries with mayo; check!
Went into this pub for a pint.
Eventually, I started to find the more "touristy" area and it did get much more picturesque. Also, picturesque in a funny way
The incredibly maintained 300-yr-old buildings lining Grand Place in Brussels
Brussels city hall with a holiday light show
Must do in Belgium task #2: waffle; check!
Not gonna lie: the best waffle I've ever had; and it was plain!
One of the other famous sites in Brussels, "Manneken Pis" (literally "peeing fountain")
Now the other great thing about Belgium is the world's best beers
Finally, my random wandering compass led me to the main tourist site - the amazingly beautiful Grand Place. The main city square
Must do in Belgium task #3: Hoegaarden; check! (also sampled fresh chocolate, check!)
Snow falling on the Christmas tree in Grand Place
Snow falling on the Nativity scene in Brussels' Grand Place
When I finished my pint, it had started snowing in Brussels; making Grand Place look truly magical
Creative advertising. I bet you'll never look at vitamin water without remembering this now!
On the train back to Paris, I had a connection in Flanders, Belgium
Flanders train station
A quick look at Flanders, Belgium. Would have been something to see the war cemeteries
But, making a connecting flight ended up being a great score: separate customs check for those making connections. No line!
Flying back to Canada, I had a connection at Montreal airport. Was alarmed to see the line up for customs after New Year's!
