Paris..... We won GOLD

Paris..... an epic medley of stress, fitness, cultures, bureaucracy, and helpful people.
I now have a passport, an American visa and a French wife. Lets go

We hit Paris literally at 200 km/hr on Friday at 1.00pm in the TVG. The Australia Consulate closed at 4.00pm and we had to appear in person for an Application for a new passport. With Packs on our backs we fly out of the TVG as it stops and sprint to the Metro. Quickly grabbing 2 x 5 day passes we charge down to Metro 4; along 3 stations up 5 flights of stairs across the tunnel down 1 flight of stairs.... Puff puff onto Metro 1. Another 4 stations, and another4 flights of stairs we sprint 500m past the eiffel tower and hit the Australian Consulate at 1.45pm.

Through metal detector;double security doors up the lift and sweating like pigs we face this pleasant Australian (yes they do exist) who fleeces us €236. Only an emergency passport....grrr ready on Monday.
Advised to use their computer and see what America requires. Grrr ....America doesn't like emergence passports. Must apply for a Visa.

Grrrrr what ANZAC and all. Must pay Pay €14, Complete form DS106, have interview.

What! another interview......must book interview in advance
what.. ....time now 2.30pm. Things will be closed by 4.00pm and its friday Power into DS106 names, birth dates,parents details,countries travelled last 5 yrs....
what. ..... Jobs.... sweet they have a retired option, tick, ....groan now want previous jobs......
Passport. .... snookered. That won't be ready till Monday: The digger (the Australian consulate for those not fully versed in the lingo) comes back. "If you wait a minute I'll get you your passport now for you" Nows there's a mate.....
We race on Electronic photo...think think. Bronni takes pic with phone. Emails with phone. Retrieves via consulate computer etc etc etc. hurry hurry.
Time now 3.55 Ring US consulate. .... Credit Card No ....... another€ 14 just to talk. ....
Wondering who the robbers are here. Making booking for Tue.... Can it be Monday..... sweet 9.00am. Must have self addressed courier.... another €25. Europe GDP on the increase.
Getting dehydrated,faint in the head; breakfast was a long time ago. and then..........

Click...... Mobile ran out of money..........I wonder what else he was going to tell us we needed. Don't want to spend another €14 just to say hi... think the conversation was finished.

At 5.30pm we stagger out of the Embassy put our packs and dive into the Metro again like gophers down its burrow. Lots of French gophers going home now. Metro crowded. Its hot, packs are feeling heavy, no spare seats; knees are buckling;we take the escalators .... and..... stand.

We reach our apartment dead on our feet at 6.30pm.

 Saturday a 'slow day' of cultural festivals planned by Bronni of street music, art, funky markets and yummy food not found by most tourist. Brought Bronni a French beret. Doesn't she look chic. For the record a late Birthday pressy.
Sunday. A quiet day soaking up the sun, and eventually ended up sitting on the river bank watching the sun go down over the Notre Dame.
Monday 6.30am getup;into the metro by 8.00am. Starting to get the hang of these trains. With 1 interchange we arrive at the US embassy by 8.15am.
Really fancy area. Right near the Concorde. Pays to be the hero in shinning armour sometime. Police everywhere. Some idiot posted an anti muslim U-tube video. Security check detail.
We need a Compte. What...... 8.30am Maybe I should have rang back. Where do we get that. 1km away at post office. .... With no packs and Fridays training we are quick......and so are they....another €136 for uncle SAM.
I arrive back at the embassy check through. Bronni not allowed. All electronics are left behind. I go in and get a number than wait....and wait.... Lots of people doing the same. Either the thieves are doing well or a lot of Europeans are trying to immigrate to the US. Eventually seen by a pleasant chap who extracts a further US$25 confirming who the robber is working for.
Advised by the chap that there is a 50/50 chance of having the visa ready by 3.00pm. We come back at 3.00pm Same process, but seen quickly. No luck.
Advised to wait till 4.00pm or come back tomorrow. I take a punt and wait..... yes I'm a patient chap I am....
At 4.00 still no luck, girl asking for my mobile number and tells me she will ring when it comes thru. Hopefully by 11.00am tomorrow.
Walk out embassy. ..... so much for patience. Bronni waiting fumbling with my Phone. Someone just called.. Unlisted no. Take a punt and race back to embassy. Security getting to know me well and allow me straight thru. Visa just arrived. Thank you uncle SAM.
Now off to Loire Valley to go bike for 10 days.