EMBRACE THE SLEAZE!

When you think of flying with “Easy Jet” or as its more commonly known ‘Sleazy Jet” the words dependable, reliable or good don’t necessarily come to mind do they? So when I saw a flight to Paris for an absolute steal that I couldn’t turn down I was beyond nervous as to how it would turn out. Would the plane even get to Paris, and would I be charged per mile due to the flight being so cheap.

With all the horrific reviews in mind I thought it’s too cheap to turn away so no matter what happens it will be worth it. Even their website advises you to arrive two hours earlier instead of one hour for domestic flights which is a worry in itself. But to be honest that first flight was the most nerve racking just waiting for something to go wrong – and it didn’t. In fact the entire process from printing out both my boarding cards in advance, to checking in to flying and getting there on time and even before time went swimmingly, it definitely surpassed all my expectations – even though those were just the basic levels of service but still an achievement in itself.

It got me thinking how do they then get away from the term ‘Sleazy Jet’? You ask anyone who knows about cheap airlines and they mention ‘Sleazy Jet’ without fail. Quite a stigma to have, so I thought the only way to keep marketing themselves favourably would be to embrace it, maybe even make that your slogan “Embracing the Sleaze”. Use the ‘sleaze’ to your advantage, dress your cabin crew in some fashionable sleaze, make your ‘how to put on your seat belt’ spiel a bit sleazy. Play it to your advantage and that way when you don’t deliver its just because your ‘Sleazy-Jet’.

So it’s up to you Easy-Jet…Embrace the Sleaze. But you definitely deserve a shout out for my seamless trip to Paris last week. Well done! !

From Paris with Love

"Aaah, Paris". I think that’s possibly the best way to describe such a beautiful and unique city. It was my third time back [spoilt I know] and this time with the man I love so it had the ‘Aw’ factor more so than not, but it truly was just fabulous.

As you know me by now historical things, museums and touristy spots are not my thing and to be honest I’m proud to say that even after three visits to the beautiful city of Paris I still haven’t hit one museum. I may sound culturally challenged but in Paris there is simply no need to do all that, culture, art and history are on every wall, around every corner, over every bridge and in all the bars.

Every morning while sitting down at breakfast [four day old baguette and some jam] at our hostel we would pick a spot to start at on the tube map and then wonder our way back home. We walked and walked and walked, obviously in between every little ‘walk’ was a little ‘rose’ as well so looked more like this –

Walk – “Rose” – Walk – “Rose” - Walk– “Rose” - Walk– “Rose” - Walk– “Rose”. 

And for non-tourists we managed to do most of it, wondered through Notre-Dame [simply because it was free], took some fabulous snaps of Le Tour Eiffel, ate a D-Lish-Us crepe up in Montmarte and even got offered hashish and cocaine in the red light district – due to his poor accent Dom thought he was offering us Shish kebabs and got very excited about those instead J. We shopped all along the Champs Elysees and got touristy by L’Arc de Triomphe and all the time making sure lunch, our afternoon snack, and dinner were heavily populated by rose. It would be a valid statement to say we basically drank and ate our way through Paris. Somehow the rose tasted even better while people watching in Saint Germaine.

The lock bridge

Not being ‘officially’ employed currently we decided to stay at a hostel to save as hotels and flats in Paris are completely out of most peoples budgets I think. However cheap this hostel was it made up for it by being weird. First rule of the hostel was no over 30’s as it was a ‘youth’ hostel never mind the 70 year old lady passed out at breakfast every morning and the definitely over 40 group of men looking for some hostel lovin [aaah hostels]. The next rule being even though you paid for your room you are not allowed in it from 11am to 3pm - at all. Their reasoning was for cleaning purposed but we all know they just walk down the halls dashing some bleach everywhere for the smell. Last of their bizarre rules was no showering after 9:30pm, now we were only strolling in a bit woozy and in need of a shower after mid night and were not allowed to shower. I think its safe to say hostels are not what they used to be or perhaps I have completely out-grown them. Sad hey!

Taking 'AVANT' down the Champs Elysees

I thought after my lovely time in Paris I would give you a few short points of advice if you ever happen to find yourself confronted with an unbelievably cheap ticket to Paris on the net.

1.     Found a cheap ticket? GO.

2.     The metro is easy, its like a real life sized game of snakes and ladders.

3.     Buy yourself the ’10 ticket’ deal its much cheaper and lasts for days, don’t be fooled into the day passes for 3 to 5 zones – a rip off.

4.     Don’t go to the Louvre – the outside is way more beautiful and there are no queues or disappointing small paintings of almost smiling woman at the end.

5.     Do what’s free – Paris has so much to offer that doesn’t cost you a fortune; Picnics in all the parks, rollerblading on Friday nights around the city, Notre-dame, look out for the hidden street art, daily live music in the streets and dancers at most corners. 

6.     Buy a lock and engrave on it and lock it to the ‘Lock bridge’ just out the back side of the Louvre – if anything its amazing to see.

7.     The Parisians seem to be working on the temper control as we only had two horrible waiters, but just ignore them and have another glass of rose. Everyone is great after a few glasses.

8.     Look at renting apartments and flats rather than hotels – so much cheaper and you can have your own meals as well.

www.housetrip.com

9.     Comfy shoes are one thing – but they must look good dammit. No more ‘sneans’ [Jeans and sneakers] in Paris it really is just frowned upon.

10. Lastly – prepare to spend a lot of money. But Paris is worth every penny.

So no matter the weather, Paris will not disappoint you.

Till next time Paris … Gros Bisous Xxx

Street art - you just have to open your eyes.

  

The path less travelled

It may not always be the best path but it sure will be fun along the way...guaranteed!