Having left my window open to fall asleep to the sounds of Paris, I awoke funnily enough to the sounds of Paris at about 7.30am. The weather was a little chiller than yesterday, a little overcast with the sun trying to break through. Time for a shower, pack my bags and head down to check out of my hotel. I asked the concierge if the hotel could look after my bags for the day (saves me having to carry them around) and they were more than accommodating. So in the cupboard they go, and off to breakfast I went.
Instead of heading up the street towards the Eiffel Tower, I decided to head down the other way and explore Paris a little further. As checking out a few cafes’ menus for breakfast, I decided on a lovely little place called Cafe Lutetia, which was situated right by the metro station. After a quick look at the menu I choose to have an omelette with cheese and ham, a croissant, a hot chocolate and some water. As I sat in the cafe, I watched the early morning hussle and bussle of Paris life. Plenty of people on foot getting too and from, car horns beeping as traffic mounted and the sun slowly breaking through the overcast morning.
After breakfast, I headed to buy some supplies for the day - water and chocolate. Then it was down the stairs at the Metro to catch the train that would take me back to Roland Garros for day 2 of the tennis. Getting through the gates was alot quicker for me this time round, as I had arrived at 10.30am. First matches didn't start til 11am. So scanned my ticket at the gate and through I went, bought my program and headed to court 3 to watch the match between Petrova and Szavay. First set to Petrova, and time for me to explore Roland Garros again.
I headed to the outside practice courts and Murray, Safina and Monfils all hitting up. Although Safina had been knocked out of the singles, she was still in the doubles and both Murray and Monfils had singles matches later in the day. Half an hour later I found myself sitting courtside at court 7 to watch Aussie boy Carsten Ball play his second round match. Having lost the 1st set, he was down in the 2nd. I stayed to watch him lose the second. After checking the program, I noticed that over on court 4, Aussie Alicia Molik was to play a doubles match in about an hour, so over there I headed. The cloud cover over Roland Garros become quite dark and the sound of thunder and lighting could be heard in the distant, a few light sprinkles of rain quickly became a downpour and the Molik match was suspended. Knowing that it might be a while before play was to resume, I headed off to get some lunch - cheeseburger and chips accompanied with a bottle of water. The cost of was 12.80 euros, after giving the girl a 20, she handed me back, to my surprise - 17.20. SCORE!!! lunch was cheap that day!!! I felt bad taken the money, but I only realised that she had given me too much after I had sat down and she had gone from the til. I must say the cheeseburger and chips tasted alot better knowing I got it cheaper. I had a craving for Haagen Daz ice-cream, and lucky for me there were quite a few stands around, so I grabbed myself 3 scoops of the delicious ice-cream in a tub with hot chocolate sauce. YUM!
With my stomach now satisfied and the rain slowly disappearing, I headed back to court 4 just as the players were warming up to resume their match. 1/2 later the match was all over and Molik and her partner Chuang had been bundled out in straight sets. The rain didn't stay away for long, as it down poured again with people running for whatever cover they could find, I was happy cause I was smart in bringing my trusty umbrella with me - first thing I was told when I got the UK was always take an umbrella with you, so I do. (thanks to whoever gave me that advice).
With the rain continuing, an announcement came over the PA system to say that matches had been suspended until at least 5.30pm. As it was already 4.30pm, I made the decision to exit Roland Garros, but first it was off the merchandise stand to pick up a pin (I have been collecting pins from all the different places I have visited on my travels) I headed back to the hotel to collect my bags and then towards the metro to take me to Gare Du Nord to catch my Eurostar train back to London.
Having arrived early, I checked straight into Eurostar and browsed through the shops. I was feeling a little hungry, so I bought a ham and cheese bread stick and water and sat and ate near the entry point and waited for my boarding time. Sitting and aisle over and across from me was a young gay couple, one snuggling underneath the arm of the other was they looked at photos on their camera. I was thinking to myself that they looked so happy, so in love, and obviously had just spent a romantic few days away together in the city of love - Paris. I have to admit I was a little green with envy, but always remain optimistic that one day I will be able to do that with someone I love.
Time to board the train and head back home to London. I blew a quick kiss and waved Paris goodbye for the second time, hoping to return to this city (that I could instantly live in) in the not to distance future. As we got closer to London, the sky got darker and soon all you could see was lights passing you by. I arrived back safely in London around 9.30pm, caught a taxi home and fell straight asleep about 10.30am.
This trip to Paris was definitely different from the first time I went there, but equally as good. I got to experience and explore different things the 2nd time around, will always cherish the moment of seeing some of my family there and to spend some time in this WONDERFUL CITY! I fell in love with Paris all over again, it was sad to leave but I will return. And who knows, I may just decide to live in the city of love sometime soon.
Pictures:
1. Cafe Lutetia where I had breakfast
2. The Roland Garros sign
3. Andy Murray warming up
4. The rain at Roland Garros
5. Alicia Molik serving in her doubles match
6. Gare Du Nord station
7. Paris at dusk
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