Richard Rosalion’s personal blog
Well, we’ve started our little road trip, and… the first stop off? Torquay.
Kel’s friend, Sophie, lives in Torquay with her 3 kids, so as we were going that way, we thought we’d drop in. Kel hadn’t seen Sophie in a few years, so they had lots to catch up on. Sophie is Deaf, and signs - so it was good to have a chat and practise my Auslan, too!
I’ve posted some pics of Sophie and the kids in the photos section.
Well, here I am in Paris, and it’s good to be home… I mean… back where I started (and about to head home). Feels kinda weird tho, almost like being home, but without any of my friends and family!
I arrived in Paris yesterday, and went straight out to see a couple of the things I missed first time around - Sacre Coeur was the first stop, then walked down the road to see (and take some photos of) the Moulin Rouge. If you don’t know, the Moulin Rouge is in the centre of the “dodgy” district of Paris - lots of strip clubs, sex shops, and other things (don’t ask - I don’t think I even want to know), so needless to say I got plenty of people trying to drag me into see their “shows”.
Anyway, news from Koln, which I never got a chance to talk about (as I was enjoying doing it too much to write about it! My travel diary also got neglected for a while, but it’s all up to date now):
I was trying to get hold of Imke (the friend we stayed with there) for a few days, making sure she was going to come and meet us, as neither Paul or I had any idea where we were going, and I still hadn’t heard anything when we got on the train! I finally realised I had her old phone number, and the reason I didn’t have her new number was that I hadn’t got any of the SMSs that she’d sent! Oh well, it all turned out ok - cause she’d been getting my messages!
First thing we did when we arrived at Koln was to climb up the cathedral tower (498 steps - and yes, I counted!) It was a damn nice view, though… so it was worth it. Then we began the 45 minute drive to Imke’s place (which, funnily enough, is 45 minutes drive away from Koln). There, we had dinner, and Paul and I got to “meet the family”. We also heard about some other Australian guy who was staying with them… but he didn’t show up for a while (I had theories that they lured Australians over to their house, then used them as slaves…)
Anyway… I managed to go to a few parties while I was there (perhaps it’s just that time of year), see a Castle, a couple of Museums, and have our own fireworks show (did I mention the fireworks?)
Trying to get back to Paris was interesting too.
The night before I left, I went to the travel agent nearby to buy tickets (I wasn’t sure exactly what I was doing, so I hadn’t bought them earlier), and she suggested that I buy them from the station, as she was having trouble booking them. Turns out that all of 2nd class was full (For all trains that day!) so I had to go 1st class - big cumfy seats, free meals and drinks…. Bugger, huh?? 
(well, the cost was a bit of a bugger).
Anyway, my time is about to run out, so I’m going to send this before I get disconnect.
I may, or may not write more before I get home!
Hope to see you all in Melb soon!
Update: Photos from Paris (again)
Greetings from Strasbourg!
Paul and I spent most of yesterday on the train to Strasbourg from Berlin, arriving just before dinner time. We’re staying with a lovely family here that Paul lived with for a couple of months when he was working in the lab earlier in the year. This family seems to have people here all the time - their own children’s friends appear to live here, they often have students staying with them, there was a Member of the European Parliament here tonight, and, of course they have their own children who live here (occasionally).
And, if you hadn’t guessed, they have a computer here too. This is now the second time on my entire trip that I have been able to email you without paying for it by the hour! If you don’t remember, the first time was in Lyon when the computer timer just decided to stop.
It’s a nice feeling, but I’m afraid it doesn’t mean that you’re going to get a very long email. It’s just before 1am, and I need some sleep.
For my last night in Berlin, Frederick (the Swedish guy) and I went out to a Jazz club. The music didn’t even come close to the club I went to Munich, but it was still fun. I hate leaving all these people and places behind, but it’s still exciting to arrive in a new city every few days.
Strasbourg is beautiful, and as it’s coming up to Christmas, the whole city is lit up at night too. Last night I just spent wandering around, getting a feel for the city - it’s a small place, but there’s lots to see. I found one shop in a little side street (all lit up in the Christmas spirit, of course) that was decorated with lolly pops and other sweets. I took a photo, but you’ll have to wait a while before I can upload any more photos, since the computer here is Windows98.
Anyway, today for lunch Paul and I went to the “Christian Assumptionists”, who he stayed with for a while when he first arrived in Strasbourg. The lunch was fantastic (even if the prayers in French before the meal were a bit weird). We then went ice skating with a Columbian friend of his who lives here, and then went out for dinner with his supervisor from the lab! All in all, its been quite a productive day!
Anyway, it’s time for bed, so I shall be off.
Good night to all! (even though it’s only 11am in Melbourne)
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