First time I've had much of a chance to breath in the past week, so I figured I'd post now! I'm sitting in bed, smoking a cigarette, listening to some lovely music, and gazing at Sacre Coeur from my Montmartre apartment (rented) window..

Arrived in the UK last Thursday, checked into my b&b (Jesmond hotel b&b on Gower Street--I love staying in Bloomsbury). Went around the block of a bite to eat, did a bit of shopping, then off to Wilton's Music Hall, near Tower Hill, to see Taming of the Shrew starring one of my favourite actresses, Rachael Stirling. She was WONDERFUL, very good production, in a former music hall that they are currently trying to restore.

Next day brought a trip to the post office (are you bored reading this yet?? look, I've been to London many times,there weren't many sites I wanted to see this time!) to mail some things home (I had a request for these toys for a kids show that, while the program is airred in the US, the toys are not. And no way was I schlepping them across Europe, so I mailed them home!). At 4:00 I went over to Paddington to meet a friend, we drove out to High Wycombe...I know you're thinking "WHY?". Well, I know I've mentioned her here before but..PETULA CLARK! Currently in the midst of a UK tour (after tonight, only two dates left).

One of the great things about being a "groupie" is the wonderful people you meet along the way. I've met many friends through being a fan, not to mention I've gotten to know Miss Clark a bit, and I adore her. Anyway..it was a very nice venue, Petula was great, blah blah blah. Cilla Black was also in attendance that night.

Got back to London around 11:30 I think. Fell FAST asleep! Hotel was lovely, btw. Had a wonderful ensuite room, I think I paid 50 gbp a night.

Next day I roamed around a bit, and at night, met up with friends again--this time out to Brentwood (Essex)..yes, a concert, yet again. This was at a BIZARRE venue--a leisure center--but, still glad I went. As always. Next day, more of the same, except I took the train out to Northampton and met up with a friend who had come down from Oxford but who lives in London. Went to the concert--one of the best I've ever seen her do, actually!--missed the train, so had to wait an hour for the next one. We amused ourselves by pretty much acting out her entire concert on the empty train platform. It was pretty entertaining!

Was up very early the next morning to catch my flight to Budapest! Everyting ontime with Easyjet, thankfully..bags made it all right. I stayed at the Bellevue B&B after reading the great comments at trip advisor--I honestly can not say enough great things about this place! I was in room one--a very spacious double room, with a lovely balcony overlooking a courtyard. Very large room, especially by European standards. The owners were gems--I felt like I was visiting family. She had asked what I was doing in the UK and when I told her I'd seen Petula Clark, turns out she is a big fan, and shared some memories of listening to her growing up. She asked me to show her some recent photos, which I did (for what it's worth, if you really care..feel free to go http://tinyurl.com/2nwhzg).

Had a truly wonderful time exploring the city..felt very safe everywhere (I am a 22 year old female travelling solo). I did the "absolute walking tour's Hammer and Sickle tour", and learned a lot about communist life. Very interesting..I am interested in history and I enjoyed this tour. I also took a boat trip to Margaret Island, met these lovely italian women (I had overheard one of them having trouble with her headset on the boat--i helped her in italian, and we all started talking) and had lunch with them. Also had a wonderful massage!

The food in Budapest is EXCELLENT. Portions are too big! But the food is just fantastic. My favorite was this sort of flat pancake filled with meat and rolled up, with a paprika sauce on top (called something like Hobogotny or something like that). I think I will dream of that!

Spent three wonderful nights there, and then it was time to go back to the UK. it wasn't the original plan, but some friends talked me into coming for one final concert, since some friends would be at that who I hadn't seen in awhile. This one was out in Croydon. Got into my hotel around 1:30, took a shower, got ready, grew bored, and by 3:30 was in Croydon--for an 8:00 show!! what to do?? luckily I ran into Kenny, who is Petula'a musical director and a friend of mine. Had a couple of drinks, then he headed up for a soundcheck. On the way out he ran into a few mutual friends and sent them over to keep me company! Eventually we all left to head over to the theatre. AWFUL theatre, bad acoustics--but Miss Clark was excellent as always. Can you tell I'm a fan?

ANYWAY..today it was off to Paris! This is my fourth visit since 2004. This time I'm here for seven nights. Rented a lovely apartment in Montmartre..amazing view of Sacre Coeur--it's so close, I can make out every detail of it! Just beautiful. Watching the fabulous Tele Melody station, which airs 1960s and 70s clips of French singers (including Dalida, who is a favorite of mine. Next week is the 20th anniversary of her death, and she is everywhere right now..).

Hey, anyone care to recommend a street market (for food) on Saturday or Sunday mornings somewhere near me? I'm near the Marcadet Poissonniers metro station. Might br something nice to do in the morning--plus, well, I need food! I may try posting this question in it's own thread..

Or, rahter, what time is the Rue Lepic market open till? Will be down there anyway tomorrow..is there one closer?

MissZiegfeld wrote: "I'm sitting in bed, smoking a cigarette"

Bad idea! Get out of the bed immediately.

Padraig--LOL! Well, I'm sleeping on a sofabed, so I don't have much choice!

I'm at the apartment right now (I'll post the link to the apartment once I'm heading home, but for safety reasons won't do it now..) It's near the Marcadet-Poisoinniers metro stop though. Not the GREATEST area of Montmartre, but I feel safe here and I'm within walking distance of everything I could need.

Let's see, as I mentioned earlier, I am a big fan of Dalida--I visited her grave on my last visit (didn't know much about her back then, but it fueled my interest) so I walked over to Place Dalida (about 10 minutes from here). I hung out there for a bit (what a lovely square!!) and listened to the comments tourist were making as they passed her bust (it was inaugerated in 1997, 10 years after her death). The other Europeans were oohing and ahhing, but anyone from an English speaking country were just shrugging their shoulders.

Except for one little girl, who made me laugh out loud. She was American (or Canadian, I guess), couldn't have been more than 13 years old. As she and her father were walking away, I heard her say "like, didn't she have an affair with Mitterand?". ????? about the last thing I expected her to say! (It has been rumoured that Dalida had an affair with former french president Francois Mitterand..how this girl knew THAT, I do not know). Made me chuckle!

I started chatting with another gentlemen who was sitting nearby..he lives in Paris but is from Italy originally, and is an artist (but of course!). He told me my French had an Italian accent (ha! Actually my french must be getting better, because this is the first trip where not ONE person switched over to English at any point in the conversation, which has happened in the past). We spoke a bit in Italian and in French, about Italy (I am of Italian descent), and about Dalida--he said her former home was just up the street, so I walked over there. HUGE house, of course! I wonder who lives there now? There is a plaque dedicated to her outside of the house. I also recognized the restaurant at the corner (don't know the name--Moulin something, with the big windmill), which I remembered reading was one of her favourites when she was alive. Must go there for lunch at some point this week.

At some point I ended up on the Champs Elysee, picked up a few DVDs and CDs at FNAC, and walked over to Place de la Concorde. Hung out a bit, then took the metro back up to my apartment. My feet were hurting!

Yesterday I poked around Saint Germaine, had a lovely lunch at a brasserie on one of the side streets (simple steak frites), and at night saw Cabaret at the Folies Bergere. Cabaret (the Kander and Ebb musical) is my favorite musical of all time, and I had seen it the last time I was in Paris, last November. Couldn't resist seeing it again!

This morning I went to Chantilly, had a lovely time, just got back a little while ago. I found the trains a bit confusing--the UK is sooo much easier. Cooking some dinner--I'm liking renting an apartment, and will do this more often! I feel more "settled", especially since I have visited Paris several times before, and hope to move here someday (how, pray tell?)--this is a nice temporary fix!

Tomorrow is May 1st, a holiday. I wonder if movie theatres will be open? I would love to see the Edith Piaf film. Will have to research into that..

Have no plans whatsoever for Wednesday, perhaps a day trip someplace. Have never been to Versailles, I'm thinking I will visit that..but then again, I'm not big on castles and chateaux and all that. Doesn't hold much interest to me, though I did enjoy Chantilly. I'm more of a city girl...but I do enjoy a nice train ride! I guess I could always go to Geneva and visit friends..

Already starting to plan my trip for the fall--trying to decide where to go!!

Nobody seems to be reading this, but I'll add a few more things anyway. Firstly--I LOVED La Mome. I went to this little lovely little theatre in Saint Germain. Excellent film, really really enjoyed it. Very moving.

Second..I don't recommend using this site to get to the airport.
http://tinyurl.com/22je2l

I made a reservation on the web on Wednesday night for a pickup on Friday morning. Never got a confirmation email..I called them on Thursday and they said they'd resend it, but I never got it. I called them and they had all my info there, had me confirmed for a shuttle, so I figured all was well. I was very busy on Thursday and didn't have too much time to fiddle with this.

Anyway, come Friday, shuttle is supposed to come at 7am..I call them at 6:30 just to confirm, they told me yes, he'd be there. Come 7..no shuttle. I call them. 7:15, 7:30..same thing. The person on the phone was very rude, could not care less..the most he offered was to give the driver my phone number so he could call me, because maybe he was lost. Driver never called me. I phoned back the main number, and as soon as I said who I was, the guy hung up!!!!!!!!! Ludicrous. The man had a middle eastern accent and I spoke to him in both English and in French to make sure nothing got lost in translation.

Eventually I ran up the street and was able to get a taxi. It was then I realized I was short on money! It was 30euro, I only had 25..so I gave me the 25 and about six metro tickets. I was very apologetic and the man could not have been nicer about it! Made my flight on time...I found security to be VERY quick (this was terminal 2A..which is the infamous terminal?? First time flying out of DeGualle, though I've been to Paris several times). Service on Continental was excellent.

By the way, this was the apartment I rented.

http://tinyurl.com/3xoygg

This was my first experience with an apartment rental, and it was flawless. Money was tight just before I left, and the lovely landlady (a gorgeous girl, maybe 27 years old) allowed me to pay her the security deposit with paypal (with my credit card). Anyway, I was on a budget, and for 390e a week it couldn't have been better. Pretty basic, but with free phonecalls anywhere in the world (except for mobile phones in europe), free internet access, DVD player, stereo, every channel you could ever want on the TV, etc. I felt very, very safe there. You need a special key or a code to get into the main gates then two other doors, and the door to the apartment has two very sturdy locks. I'd stay there again for sure, especially for that price. I adore Montmartre.

In other news, I lost seven pounds while in Europe for just over two weeks. It's all the walking, and I only really eat when meal a day and a snack when I'm travelling. I need to do this more often!

Planning this fall's adventure..spending a few days with friends in Somerset, then either Athens or Barcelona and then either Turkey or Egypt (will be doing that portion of the trip with a tour, the rest solo as usual). Very excited! Egypt is my top choice, but it's more expensive, so that may have to wait till next Spring.

Thanks for the great read and info as well.

Miss Ziegfeld I enjoyed your post and am very excited about the prospect of losing weight in Europe as Ive been unable to lose it before!!!

I enjoy all your posts and think you do great traveling solo.

When you have your fill of these types of trips, do you have anything else that you dream about in the future? My dream was to travel for a summer and now that we've done that, I dream of an even more extended period of travel.

The apartments looks great for being on a budget!

Wow, for some reason, I JUST saw this now. Thanks for the replies!


Travelgirl2, if I had to pick something, it would honestly be to spend an extended period amount of time in Paris (preferably permanently, but that won't exactly be easy!). Like more than six months. I'm a singer, and I speak French somewhat well (still study it daily), and I love French music (as you can probably tell from my original post!). I've always wanted to be a successful singer in France. So, someday, when I have the money (hopefully a year or two) I will set out to do that.

As of now, I have a three week trip planned for the fall (the UK again, then Istanbul, Florence, Naples, Barcelona and Lisbon), and after that I really want to start exploring other parts of the world, starting with Egypt!

Great post.

What toys?

Hi Sheila--my little cousin loves Postman Pat and Fireman Sam. My Uncle found specific things he wanted for her on amazon UK, but they wouldn't ship it here. The Hamley's site didn't have what he wanted to get for her. So, there I was at Hamley's getting this stuff..was a fun little detour anyway, I'd never been to that shop.

I'm missing Paris so much right now! Regretting I didn't include a few days when I go to Europe in the fall. I may have to call the airline and see if I can change it..

"Bored?"

Are you serious?

This is one of the BEST trip reports I've ever read.

Oops, missed this earlier.
Enjoyed this so much!
We're looking at the Bellevue/Budapest, so it was nice to hear your very positive review.