With nothing on the agenda today until the train to Brussels just after midday, I had a nice sleep in and a leisurely breakfast before packing up. As I was packing, I found that my brand new Spender & Rutherford suitcase had started splitting all down one side, which was disappointing. I’ve emailed the company so let’s see what they can do.
Once packed up, I decided to not run the gauntlet of the metro to get to Gare du Nord, and took a taxi through the deserted streets. Only a few tourists around, so it looked like everyone else was either having a late sleepin or were already in the museums.
Gare Du Nord
Although once I reached Gare du Nord, it seemed like I’d found all the people in Paris! It’s a pretty big station, where the Eurostar and many of the other international trains run through. They have one of those huge tickerboards to show the times and platforms of the trains, which is awesome, but the only problem is, you have to wait there to see where to catch your train, and lots of beggars come and harass everyone.
Strangely, although I’d booked a second class fare, my seat was in a first class carriage, so I had a bit of extra room. Not sure how that happened, but I’m happy to take it! 🙂
I’d checked out how to catch the Brussels metro to the hotel beforehand, but since Paris metro isn’t terribly luggage-friendly (not big luggage, anyway) I was reserving judgement until I got there about whether to catch the metro or grab a cab. All seemed great on the metro until I, and a small group of other tourists hauling big bags, couldn’t workk out how to exit the station with them. Supposedly the station is a wheelchair-friendly one, so luggage shouldn’t have been an issue, but I think we got out on the side of the train that had no lift, so we all lugged our bags down the stairs. We eventually found a lift on the iother side going up to the street, but much to our disgust, in one of the two lifts (thankfully there were two!) there was a large pile of excrement. Ick!
After reaching the surface safely, we parted ways and I found my way to the hotel. As there’s no lounge here either, I was again given vouchers for the bar. Thankfully no mice in this one (that I saw!) and I braved the local brew and tried the raspberry Hoegaarten. Quite tasty, but there’s still that hint of beer.
Raspberry beer
After checking in and unpacking, I settled down to do some research on what to do while I’m here. First thing I found was the Brussels Summer Festival – ten days of various musical artists playing each night at different venues in the middle of the city. Wow! I’d missed Patti Smith and Suede, which would have been good, but there was still Texas tonight and Front 242 on Tuesday that I wouldn’t mind seeing. So I grabbed a ticket online, printed it out and wandered out to find some dinner before I went in to the festival. I walked past the Botanical Gardens up to the Carrefour Express and stocked up on the usual – cold meat, cheese, fruit and water.
The wind was amazingly strong – huge gusts that were blowing things over and making it hard to walk uphill!
I eventually made it back, and headed out to the Parc on Place des Palais, where the concert was happening. I made it in time to catch Arsenal who were fun and pop-y, who the crowd loved. Then Texas, who were good value solid rock, starting with “I Don’t Want a Lover”. I had my first Brussels frites here! In a cone, with a huge dollop of sticky tartare sauce on top. Good chips, but I could have given the sauce a miss.
The crowd watching Arsenal
A very convivial atmosphere abounded – lots of people enjoying the music, drinking and hanging out. There was a good mix of people too – teens to late middle-agers. I’m glad I bought the week’s pass, as I think I’ll try to make it to a few more.
I think this pic is of Texas – I’m too far back to see!
Two Weeks Away 