This is Ann’s next instalment of her travel blog. Read Visiting Monet’s Garden, At last, Paris, Delicacies of San Sebastian and Mad about Madrid. 

Last night we had dinner in the Jules Verne restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower, 125m up. The most expensive meal I’ve ever had but as the ad says: the experience – priceless! You know you’re in a classy joint when vintage Verve Cliquot (2004) is one of the less expensive wines on the list. Very elegant.

I should of known better but having descended in the lift, as we stepped out of the pylon, a young man thrust 2 roses into my hands, I shook my head and tried to give them back but he wasn’t having any, so we kept walking, then I realised he was following us and he started hassling Leon for money, again and again I tried to give him the flowers back, Leon finally gave in but only had ten euros, the guy promised to give him change and pocketed the ten and just gave a handful of coins in return. Just then a young black man turned up and asked the flower seller for one rose for one Euro. The guy refused, the young man said “please, please for a beautiful young girls, please?” But again was refused. I gave him one of mine and he tried to give me his money. I said no and he gave me a smile. Was the whole thing a scam? Who cares, it was entertaining.

Then we took a bicycle taxi ride to the metro. The guy joked that he used to be fat now his skinny because he works so hard. He puffed and panted as we got out. I think he was justifying the 20 euros he charged for the trip. Hey, he did earn it, even though we could have got a cab all the way back to our apartment for less.

So it’s 11pm and the metro’s packed. Why wouldn’t you use public transport when it is as fast and convenient as this. We have never had to wait more than 2 minutes for a train. The only downside has been the fact that our 3 day, unlimited ride tickets only work 50% of the time. We’ve then had to que up at an information window and try to explain the problem. Each time we’ve been given new tickets that work …. for a while.

Ann’s blog #26