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We do not want to leave Paris. Yet, despite its many flaws, it's great. The beauty of the palaces and the River Seine, small streets and more space.
But it was necessary to go and we started in the morning to pack a suitcase and in the process adding there new purchase. Home, we decided to grab a couple of small bottles of wine (to 375 ml), a lot of chocolate and a packet of miniature copies of the Eiffel Tower.
Before leaving, we decided to walk to the post office to send some postcards to Russia: family and .. Me! Agree funny, that you have come home to their homeland, and have forgotten that went somewhere, and suddenly in the mailbox find a postcard, sent by you! However, a simple task turned into a story! First, when we left the hotel, the staff at the reception asked: "My friends, you know that today, should leave the room?" After an affirmative answer, he calmed down and went on to read the newspaper. Secondly, coming to the post office we faced with an emergency. There were no signs of anxiety in the room were five, they were all busy with their own affairs. Suddenly a very loud siren wailed some mail and staff began to explain something, but spoke very quickly and understand it was difficult. Backing up words with deeds, they pushed all the visitors to the street, a central glass door closed, and then writes out through the emergency stroke and became close to us wait for something. This went on for seven or eight minutes, then disconnected the siren and the staff, as if nothing had happened the door was opened, continuing the work. As a result, we could still send postcards, international rate - 0.89 €.
Back at the hotel and took my bags, say goodbye to the manager and go to the East Railway Station. We had to buy a single ticket on the metro 1.6 €, because the duration of the Paris Visite ticket has expired. Incidentally, I note that pass through the turnstile in the subway with a huge suitcase is not easy, I almost got stuck.
Before the departure of the train Thalys there was still time, go to the MC Donald's to buy something to chew on in the car. All restaurants MC Donald's action took place in the summer and bought all the "menu" (sandwich, fries and drink) was given as a gift to corporate glass beakers Coca-Cola, stylized in 1907, 1923 or other years of their production. Looking ahead, I note that even one glass as a gift we have received in Cologne and another one - in Amsterdam. All this wealth has successfully made it to the house, the glasses we have carefully packed and carried in my backpack (hand luggage). It would be a pity to break such souvenirs.
When boarding the train we are at the entrance to the car checked tickets - probably in Paris passengers trust less than in Cologne. Otherwise, there were no differences - a comfortable car pink-red tones, comfortable chairs and the same courtesy supervisors. In a way, I tried to connect to WI-FI, Internet access is closed, but there are several sites: Thalys resource partner and a couple of pages. The site of the carrier have useful information on flights, fares, you can just buy the train ticket to another train, for example. In order not to get tired of the long hours of sitting, I also decided to go out to warm up for a few minutes at the station Brussels and now I can safely say that walking on foot on Belgian soil! However, it was quite a risky train might at any moment to close the doors of cars and leave, parking was not more than 5 minutes.
In Cologne, we have long been waiting for Kirstin - language assistant from Germany, which last year worked in the center of the Volga in the German language of Goethe. With this girl, we became friends, took her on a trip to Mamaev Kurgan in Volgograd, went together on nature to barbecue. I remember her surprised face when she discovered that many people in Russia roast meat on the ground, on the bricks, for example, not using the grills and fryers, in her homeland as pending. After studying for students in Russia for a year, in June, she went back to Germany and we were very happy to meet on German soil. Kirstin specially arrived from Frankfurt-am-Main, where her parents to talk with us a couple of hours.
The first thing we got to the hotel on foot, who really was very close to the station. By signing up with the manager and get the key, go up to the second floor - no elevator. The room was very comfortable, as promised - a kitchenette. What we could not wait to walk on the River Rhine - that's where we went together. To mark the meeting - went into one of the many cafes, tables in such places are available in both indoor and outdoor. If the weather pleases visitors sun and warmth, many are choosing tables outside. Almost all restaurants offer local beer - Kölsch, I ordered a cup, and when the drink brought a little embarrassed. Unlike glasses of beer in Russia, the volume of which is almost always half-liter, in Germany and in other European countries preferred smaller glasses - 200 or 300 ml. And given the considerable cost of 2.5 € per serving, it's clear that drunk unconscious here you clearly will not work!
Public, resting in a cafe, entertain various artists and musicians. While we were at the table, next to the site is located disguised man and began to prepare for the presentation. By embarking on long stilts, he portrayed a caterpillar, which at the end of speech has degenerated into a butterfly. The actor walked the area closer to the visitors, said something loudly in German, all very much. Concluding his speech, he passed the hat all the tables and almost every man threw a few coins in his piggy bank.
Once we were leaving, we did not have to wait 2:00 waiter to pay the bill, as is the case in Russia. Every restaurant worker with a small tablet computer, something reminds me of barcode scanners Motorola, which were used a long time ago in a company where I work. By pressing the button several times on the screen, the server name the amount and immediately handed delivery - each carrying a purse, if desired, you can immediately pay off the plastic credit card. I will not say anything new, adding that, despite the large number of visitors, meals brought very quickly and just as quickly removed the vacant dishes, showing a high level of quality.
Time flew by quickly and Kirstin had to go back to Frankfurt. We took her to the station, put on a train and said goodbye. Maybe I'll see you? You never know, our house - a tiny planet Earth presents and such surprises!
Back at the hotel, almost immediately fall through to sleep - you need a good rest, because tomorrow up early - we are waiting for the city of freedom Amsterdam.
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