We’ve arrived in Paris

We have finally arrived in Paris! Our two and a half months in Argentina have flown past. After two months in Buenos Aires polishing up our Spanish, becoming familiar with every step and kick of the tango and doing a lot of sleeping and resting, we ventured forth to see Iguazu Falls in the north and the lakes area on the border with Chile.

The falls were spectacular. We got up close - standing on the edge at the top and amidst the spray at the base - on both the Argentinean side and the Brazilian side. Finally we had a wonderful panoramic view from the Brazilian side. We took a boat trip at the base which went under the spray thrown up by the thunderous water pouring down. The river is 6 metres higher than normal at the moment so this was rather exciting!

We flew from the falls to Bariloche west of Buenos Aires on the border with Chile. After a couple of days recovering from stomach upsets in a lovely hostel (luckily with private bathroom!!) we hired a car and drove north around a circuit known as the seven lakes circuit. We camped for three nights and stayed in a hotel for two when the weather got too cold, and for five days feasted our eyes on ink blue lakes backed by blue black mountain ranges, green pine forests, white snow covered peaks and skies, blue or grey depending on the weather. Magnificent. Then it was back to Bariloche and the last of the wonderful parrillas - a sort of BBQ Argentinean style - and Malbec, a fabulous Argentinean red wine.

A very comfortable flight across the Atlantic where we got a surprising amount of sleep brought us to Madrid as our first stop. We were in the central district of Puerta del Sol. Lots of tiny cobbled streets winding this way and that were full of café’s with great tapas - paella and prawns our favourite. Three days was just too short a time and we are determined to return for a longer stay. We were pleased to be able ask for pretty much anything and be understood. The last time we were in Madrid was pre any Spanish.

Last Friday we took a short flight up to Paris and a taxi to 22 rue du Cloitre de St Merri right in the heart of the Marais district next to the Seine. Our landlord runs a gallery beneath our apartment, which is on the fifth floor (no lift - it’s to counteract all the gateaux and cheese we are eating). Saint Merri is a 16th century church and our windows look onto it. It was built between 1500 and 1550 and has the oldest bell in Paris - cast in 1331! At four this afternoon we went to a free concert on a grand piano by a very young man (surely he can’t be more than 12). It was wonderful - lots of old favourites. We are struggling with French, having thoroughly trained ourselves to say Gracias and si to everything. The woman sitting next to Ange asked her something in French and Ange answered “Parlez Anglais” - wanting to say ‘I speak English’ but instead ordering the woman to speak English.

We have explored the weekend markets and bought lots of lovely food: brie to die for, cakes, langoustines (like giant prawns or small crayfish), and a pork knuckle to name a few. Better run those stairs a few extra times!