Well we took Tom's advice to check out these free tours, and WA-WAH-WEE Wah it was good. In 3.5 hours (list time, turned out to be more like 6 hours guide) we must of seen just about all the sights of Paris central. In context, the day before we spent 6 hours and only managed to identify 2 of the main ones, the tower and De Champs-Elysees! That inside knowledge helped us a lot and the guide was excellent. We tipped 10Euro for the first guide, and then went on another in Monmatre later that day where we tipped 5Euro. Considering the dude had spent the best part of a full day showing us around Paris (and around 20 others), it was money wellllllllll spent!

I would love to give a full account of the tour but i probably wouldnt have time (and to be frank, im in Paris... i got better things to do right now!). Instead i shall try and name most of the pics im uploading in order to give more of a visual tour.

Here is a good one for ya: Did you know, that statue makers pre 20th Century religeously stuck to the rule that when making a statue of a mounted figure (on a horse), if both hoofs were off the ground it meant the rider died in battle. If only one hoof was off the ground they died of un-natural cause (ie, assassination) and if both were on the ground they died naturally? Personally, i find that wayyyy cool!

Ill add also at this point that my oppinion of the French has changed dramatically in their favour since staying here. The perception that they "are war dodging *****" when they evidently had so much power at one point really impresses me. Essentially i look around and see all they have achieved in their glorious Capital city of Paris and can understand why they would want to protect it! For those that dont know, in the 2nd World War it was Hitler's right hand man who was ordered to flatten Paris with explosives and the defensive cannon batteries should the Capital be retaken by the allies. He lined all buildings of value and beauty with explosives and turned all the cannons inwards to face the city. When the order came from Hitler, he instead fired all the cannons into the most worthless piece of the city and chose to not detinate the explosives. Essentially, the fate of Paris was sealed by this man who had previously been the most loyal servant of Hitler. Although his true motives may never be known, the romantics amongst us may speculate that he percieved Paris simply too beautiful to destroy. (We can choose to overlook the deal granting him and his family safety from the failing Axis regeme - this being the man who implemented the concentration camps and all).

Another interesting story is of Hitlers fascination and admiration for Napoleon's stretegys. He traveled to Paris to see Napoleons tomb but had heard it was deep set below ground level, forcing all onlookers to bow to him (Napoleon). Hitler, having heard this and not enjoying the idea of bowing to anyone, had ordered 3 of his soldiers to hold up a mirror angled downwards to allow him to view the tomb without bowing. The mirror, was (unfortunatly for Hitler, and more so his soliders) angled slightly wrong, causing Hitler to walk backwards. In doing so he tripped and fell over his generals foot, causing him to trip, fall and loose his hat. Having done so, it dawned on him he had just bowed to Napoleon after all! the soliders were swiftly executed.

Its kind of annoying me that i dont have any proper image editing sotware on this computer as i cant properly evaluate all my pics in full size, so my theory is right now take as many pics as possible and just upload anything that looks half decent in small size in the hope of catching something good to look at on my nice shiny PC at home!

Also had a rather enjoyable chat with the people in our dorm today before bed, one of them funny conversations going from Catholisism to Italian Opera - via Junk food. Reminds me of the random pub conversations that occur frequently back in England, This can surly only be a good thing!

I move to a new hostel tonight for one night only, looking forward to this also, even though i dont really know where it is yet!

Ive got so much interesting stuff wizzing around me head yet but again, the sun is starting to shine and its 10am. I shouldnt be inside writing this and so i shall take my blogging leave!

Until next time, Au revoir!

Matthew.