The morning started out as usual, breakfast to the sound of seagulls, a call to British Airways call centre in Spain.
An email arrived, to inform they still can’t find the luggage, fill out the attached form. No attachment. I think monkeys are running that company.
After wasting more time talking to someone who has no idea what is going on, I knew my plan to buy clothes must be put into action and I mustn’t come home empty handed.
A girl on a mission, the journey started with my first metro ride since I arrived.
Buskers often hop on and off the metro throughout the day, hand around a cup to collect money and scoot off before the authorities catch them.
One of my first visits to Paris, I listened to an accordion player belt out La Vie en Rose and thought it was wonderful.
Today it was a woman who sang to the background music equipment that was taped to a luggage trolley. My mind was already made up; I wasn’t going to be guilted into donating to her cause.
As she sings, I notice her greasy hair, the bags under her eyes, perhaps from recent tears, although, she had made an effort to apply pink eye shadow. I started to wonder what hardships had driven her to do this.
Third song in, she sings Feelings in English. I am not particularly fond of this soppy song.
The heart on my sleeve has started to fade along with the heart in my chest. However, this brought up a well of emotions and tears. With the tears in my eyes and bags under hers we seemed to have some connection. As I disembarked the train – I slipped her 1 EURO.
Australia’s department store entrances have perfume and makeup to seduce the shopper. Primtemps and La Fayette have high end designer brands. If you can think of it, it is here; Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Stella McCarthy, Mui Mui, Manolo Blahnik, Chanel to name only and I do mean only, a few.
Although the two department stores are right near one another I can see why Galleries Lafayette draws the biggest crowds.
Now I finally have some underwear, some jeans and some tops! There will be some decisions tomorrow wondering what to wear – clean or dirty!
It was time to leave and head home to prepare for my night at the Chatelet Theatre.
Wait, there is more, I blink, was that a Moet et Chandon Champagne Bar. Well hell yes – one needs a break after all that shopping and what more civilised way to go about it than to stop for a champagne break!
When I decend the last flight of escalators what awaits me? Pierre Herme’s macaron stand. Ok I finally give in, let’s see what all the fuss is about.
Now I understand.
