I thought my time in Paris would be spent alone. Not that I had any problems. With its efficient rail and bus system, Paris is very much geared for tourists and it is difficult to get lost. I covered quite a lot of ground in the three days I was there. Including walking up the Champs-Elysees from Franklin Roosevelt station and the Eiffel Tower from Trocadera Gardens station, just as Jag had suggested (thanks Jag!). I especially loved the Louvre (where my head started spinning after a few hours), the Moulin Rouge, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur and that whole bargain shopping stretch at Montmarte.
It was my last night though on the 26th, and I could hardly believe it when I bumped into Shruti and Param (who I know of online for a while now).
This seemed even more unbelievable, since I had been trying to meet Param in Bangalore ever since he moved from Hyderabad, but had to keep postponing for some reason or another! I met his wife Shruti a few weeks ago instead for some work. So I wouldn’t actually have recognised him. As it so happened, Shruti turned around and said, “Anita?”
It was a freaky coincidence for sure as they had checked into the very same place I was staying in.
Anyway, it was really a pleasant surprise for me as not only did I land up having dinner with them both, but we also met Mahesh, who is currently also in Paris. The last time I met Mahesh was a few years ago, before he left Mumbai for Washington, so he too was naturally equally surprised when he saw me crossing a Paris street in front of him!
So there we were — four of us — all brought together by some strange crossing of our paths in Paris, where we had least expected it! We had a small impromptu bloggers meet at a small diner in Bastille, sitting outside on the pavement (like they love doing!), over champagne, not so good food (mine at least) and a very amusing and charming Israeli waiter who kept us in splits.
We couldn’t help but wonder, “What are the chances?” I guess stranger things have been known to happen!
I left Paris the next day and am now in a very small town called Inverness, in Northern Scotland. Sis and I made our way here from Birmingham via Edinburgh and will go to Glasgow before returning to London. Did a quick cruise on the lovely Loch Ness today, but no sight of the monster. Apparently, it might still be there. :) The drive through the Scottish highlands — rolling hills, beautiful plains covered with orange yellow bracken, desolate stretches of forest and sheep (millions of them!) — was rather lovely, though the weather was a little on the cloudy side.
Spending a night at Inverness and we haven’t decided what to do tomorrow. It’s Sunday, and we found out that the Scots don’t work at all on Sundays so that will create some problems for us. But we should figure out something soon. Currently, on very expensive Internet time (of course, anything is expensive when you pay in pounds and earn in rupees!).
I also have yet to find a place where I download all the pictures I took in Paris and Scotland so far. So that will have to wait. A few more days left of my holiday and I realised that time sure flies when one is having fun!
Your chance meeting reminds me of another one, on a beach at Kochin…
Posted by Steph | October 30, 2005, 4:41 amAnita, Waiting for the pics :-)
Posted by Venky Krishnamoorthy | October 30, 2005, 6:01 amAnita,
Fabulous pics! and as always great to c that u r having a blast!!!
Ur pics reminded me why Spain shld be next on my iterninary!
enjoy!
Posted by nidhi | October 30, 2005, 6:00 pmSeems like u are savouring every moment second by second.
Posted by Anthony | October 31, 2005, 3:20 pmOh, happy diwali..
Posted by Anthony | October 31, 2005, 3:23 pmAnita !!! Wooow !! Some of the best places i love. Since you are in Inverness — why not plan for a trip to Isle of Skye. I am sure you will love it beyond anything — Check out the pebble beach there. It shall be deserted as most places in Scotland are — but it is an amazing place. :-) !!
And by the way Happy Diwali .. :-)
Cheers ~
Posted by vignesh | October 31, 2005, 5:19 pmWow — what an ecounter Parisienne! Glad to hear you had such a great time. Wishing you all the best Anita — a very happy Diwali to you and your sis — the diya lamps you gave me in London earlier this month are fabulous! Have taken a pic of one tonight — and we have thoroughly enjoyed them. Take care — and wish you well on your travels!
Posted by Jag | November 1, 2005, 6:48 amHaving a great time, we can see!! Here I see your gorgeous pics and sigh! Enjoy the remaining days and Happy Diwali!!
Posted by anumita | November 1, 2005, 9:04 amHappy Deepavali Anita (looks like you are having a great time there in the UK) :-)
Posted by thennavan | November 2, 2005, 12:29 amyour project on IndiBloggers is not excepting comments, maybe my PC’s fault. Please update me there, if you may. So, back Home yet??
Posted by Anthony | November 9, 2005, 7:05 pmIs your site hacked? I am getting popups for last few days whenever I visit your site. (I have checked it is not my computer)
Posted by Gaja Raj | November 10, 2005, 9:40 amParis is beautiful. Do post ur pics. And don’t forget to buy perfume and lingerie from Paris. The French makes the best scents and brassieres.
Posted by Docs Dope | November 10, 2005, 12:00 pmWaiting for those snaps. Hope you had a blast!
Posted by Pranjal | November 10, 2005, 12:21 pmHey you were in Paris too.. was wondering how come that wasnt covered when I saw your flickr pics of other destinations :).. well we seem to have visited the same places around the same time .. Paris, Switzerland and then eventually I was supposed to be in London (jo ho na saka)..
Posted by Twilight Fairy | November 15, 2005, 12:10 amOh and those freaky coincidences.. they happen sometimes..I havent yet gotten over the one I had 3 years back :)
Posted by Twilight Fairy | November 15, 2005, 12:11 amHu ewlikf!
Posted by tramadol | March 3, 2007, 4:32 pm