July 2007 was a remarkable period for me. Out of the blue I received this random phone call. One that I almost didn't pick up. I can remember the day clearly, I was filling up my car at the Shell station in Wiri, Manukau. When out of the blue, my cellphone rang. A number I certainly didn't recognize. After 4 rings, I finally took the call and this lady in her most cheerful voice announced that I've won second prize for opening an account through Raboplus. I've never won anything in my life! So I thought perhaps I've won a bike, a hamper or a voucher. To my extreme surprise, the caller said I won a trip to Paris to see the finals of the Tour de France. A return ticket to Paris with accommodation at the Westin hotel for 5 days!!! It was as if the stars aligned themselves, as the trip was right smack in the middle of my holiday leave. Talk about timing. I didn't have to beg my boss to give me a week off as I've just won a major prize! Pretty cool, huh? It turned out to be a trip of a lifetime. And the lovely part was, I shared it with my then boyfriend - Andrew (4 years down the track, I married this lovely man). We certainly took advantage of our time in Europe and visited not only Paris but Rome, the Vatican and London. One day, we hope to go back with our little daughter.
Sightseeing in Paris feels like being transported in time. The museum, churches, the streets and catacombs certainly tells a lot about the history of the place.
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Three things that were memorable about Rome: 1. The spectacular and very imposing Colosseum - where the gladiators used to roam. It is certainly worth a visit. 2. The food - pasta and pizza anyone? 3. The street vendors, one conned us out of a few euros and the other was arrested in front of us - handcuffed right before our very eyes. I thought I was going to be arrested as well. Scary stuff that one!
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Having been raised a catholic, I was struck with awe upon entering the Vatican city and seeing Michelangelo's well preserved painting on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel ...felt like crying then.
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I've always equated London to royalty, to the monarchs. It certainly didn't disappoint. It was great to see the landmarks of the place - Big Ben, Buckingham palace, the crowned jewels, London eye, Hyde park, Piccadilly square (watched "The Monty Python", the musicale, which was hilarious by the way) and Harrods (for a spot of shopping). Sadly, I didn't get to see any members of the royal family but nevertheless, I caught up with my beautiful friend, Margaret, who is and will always be royalty in my eyes. The fact that I had food poisoning and spent three miserable days in bed, sick as a dog, didn't deter me from enjoying London immensely.
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