Preparing for the mission:
- Highest level of willpower
- Clothes for warmth: scarf and leg-warmers = must-have.
- A detailed, planned out map of your route through all the streets (a huge help!)
- Sunny weather: sunglasses and water
Took a while to get my legs working again this morning… still so sore from yesterday! Started where I left off yesterday in the dreaded 18th Arrondissement to finish it once and for all! (Still determined to get the ones I missed…)
I got through 3 water bottles in quick succession I began to wonder if I’d swallowed Pinocchio and his boat in the process as I felt like I’d drunk an ocean!
I ended up at the Marche aux Puces (flea market) again - completely NOT by choice. It was by determination of finding two Invaders on Rue Letort that led me up to ghetto-area. The nearer to the top of Paris you get (particularly the 18e) the closer it starts resembling the Harlem area of New York… The streets are cluttered with guys who stare at you like you have some sign on your head saying ‘I’m game’. Ok, jokes aside it was pretty terrifying and I’m relieved I made it back home in one piece… *Unclench fingers from handbag…* You’d have to put a gun to my head to make me go back again… oh wait, I’m sure they’d do that anyway if you walked around for long enough. And I even went further into the market this time (I was so close to finding another 3 potential Invader icons - no backing out now) and it just got worse and worse. It was more like a ‘check out how many car radios I managed to swipe in the last week!’ emporium - forget the ‘chic antique’ label attached with ‘Parisian Market’!
The one in the Land of No Return - a true achievement! (below, right)
These two I was beginning to think had both just vanished, until, seconds before admitting defeat, I saw this red one staring back at me. Kind of comical it looks very mischievous...
But, finally I’m done with the 18th, and on with the remaining 19. I hope to not spend too much time in the outer arrondissements (around the edge of Paris), but also there are even more in the centre anyway per arrondissement and the centre should be easier anyway because it’s tourist-friendly and the streets are smaller. And I’ve already been round them all so will have a good idea on shortcuts. I did love the little streets in the touristy part of Montmartre - it’s considered more ‘normal’ to wander around with your head in the sky scanning every building!
And back into another week, although I’m feeling much more positive about this coming week. It’s only five days. :) Which just seems so much manageable than normal. Another ‘goal’ is the fact my Granny is coming out this weekend as well, which will be a truly fantastic break. A milestone before the end of my time here! I am now going to rest my knees and feet now! :S
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