Non, je ne regrette rien.

Although my original plans were disrupted by the Paris riots, I’ve reorganised, rebooked and ensconced myself in a comfy seat on a plane, to wing my way to Paris. It’s a long way, but I enjoy the quiet time of travel. I like the enforced stillness, the absence of internet, the anonymity of travelling amongst strangers and the small portions of surprisingly good food that appear at regular intervals. All of the Oxford travel pushed me into Platinum One status with Qantas. This brings some small privileges when travelling - little luxuries to ease the journey, such as a day spa appointment in Sydney, priority for showers in the Singapore First lounge, roped off dining areas and the good champagne. I also take the opportunity to watch all the movies that you never bother to see at the cinemas. Super girl, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and the gorgeously feel-good Sheep Detectives. Consequently, after a very long journey I’ve landed at Charles de Gaulle at 6am in good shape. The air is crisp and there is a drizzle of rain. Looking out the window of my hotel room, it is a quintessentially Parisian view. 

I spent the morning wandering the streets and the covered passageways. 

Paris is looking a little grim, with boarded up windows and a lot of graffiti. Walking through the city, there is not a working ATM to be found and many businesses are closed in anticipation of trouble following the scheduled protest today. The boarding up has three levels- fancy metal mesh for the spendthrifts, particle board for the cheapskates, and particle board painted back for the middle of the range. It’s a weird socioeconomic class system with unknown origins, although the paintwork suggests that Parisian aesthetics remain important even in a crisis.

I’m feeling a little anxious that I may have placed myself in the middle of some trouble, but the hotel is next to the American Embassy and accordingly there is a high police presence at either end of the street. 

I was completely prepared to stay in at the hotel for the evening, but the concierge said it was quiet outside so I headed off to my evening event. I’d booked a ticket to a musical performance at Musée Jacquemart-André. It started with a private viewing of a Tintoretto exhibit before continuing the evening with a condensed version of La Traviata. Performed by three singers and three musicians, it was an intimate performance that went from room to room in the gorgeous 19th century mansion. The audience were treated as the guests at the various parties in the story (complete with a glass  of champagne) and the music was performed right in amongst us. It was a beautiful setting, wonderful music and very fun to be part of the performance. A long day but a good one, and I’m feeling exhausted but very glad I decided to continue with the trip, despite the disruption.