Drama in Paris

28th April, Sunday

Do not disturb

 Outside the Opera House

 Grand Staircase

 Looking down on the main hall

 Happy little Vegemite after a phone call!

 Wow!!!

 Not a bad looking fire place

 Place de la Opera

 On the balcony

Rehearsal happening on stage

 Chandeleir and dome

 Madame's private box

 Paper lanterns

Outside Best West Grand Opera Boulevard Hotel - definitely not the Grand Opera

The day started well, and quickly went downhill! Coffee at breakfast was left over from last Sunday, I think – it was so thick and bitter that it would have dissolved the teaspoon. Lack of caffeine two days in a row is not good.


The receptionist ordered us a taxi to take us to the bus depot for the trip to Versailles. We should have got straight out of the taxi when we noticed the meter already had 7.60 on it! We travelled a number of back streets until we arrived at the Opera House and were told to pay 12.90 and get out. We had no idea where we were supposed to be and Les complained bitterly about the charge and handed over 12 euro to have another euro demanded. He did this, got out and slammed the door as the taxi took off flat out. Six steps down the street he realised NO WALLET!!! Feeling sick does not quite describe our emotions. We immediately flagged down another taxi, with a lovely driver, and returned to our hotel. The wonderful receptionist immediately telephoned the taxi company who attempted to contact the driver. Strangely, he had just finished his shift and was not responding, so they left a message for him to contact the company asap. The sick feelings continued as we were given another room pass and then spent half an hour on the phone to the ANZ Bank cancelling Les’ banking cards. Fortunately, we always travel with separate bank accounts and separate cards, so at least one of us has access to money. I know that Himself will never be far away now!

Having gone off Paris somewhat (and missing out on our trip to Versailles), we decided it would be nice if we could return to London on an earlier train. Walked to Gare de Nord (which wasn’t very far, actually) and discovered it would cost 250 euro each – decided to leave the booking for tomorrow night.  Cat refused to leave the hotel again, took two Bex, had a cup of tea and went to bed for a good lie down - with a cake of chocolate, just in case!

We walked back to the Opera House, probably a half hour stroll through half deserted streets (nothing opens on Sunday in Paris) and decided to do a self-guided tour of the Opera House. We were so glad we did as it is the most magnificent building inside, with huge galleries, lots of marble and gilt. We didn’t notice the “no photos allowed” in the auditorium until after we came out – such a pity! While we were in the main entrance hall admiring the artwork, my telephone rang. It was then a mad scramble to untie my jacket from around my bag, unclip all the security devices (to deter pickpockets), get the bag open and find the phone. It was the lovely receptionist to tell us the driver had returned the wallet. Relief all round, we just hoped that the driver’s licence was still in it.

On returning to the hotel, we discovered that the driver had been very aggressive and threatening to the receptionist, who fortunately had some back-up with her and had grabbed the wallet as soon as the driver entered and immediately locked it in the safe. The driver said we had not paid him and he wanted the wallet back. Needless to say, when Les looked in the wallet, all the euros had miraculously disappeared!!! At least all the cards were still there, even though the banking cards had been cancelled. The receptionist reported the driver to his company – she was not amused!

I don’t think either of us will be sorry to leave Paris.