Theatre and Thunder

So the past couple of days have actually been really quiet. The most interesting news between getting lost in the rain and doing my uni assignment is actually my West End experiences. I saw two West End musicals this week, Once and Wicked. They were both incredibly different in style and structure, but both were equally exquisite. Once was nothing at all like I had expected - the actors were, in fact, the musicians. They played all the accompaniment for themselves on-stage. And it wasn't just basic instrumentation like guitar and piano either. Each actor played an assortment of instruments including cello, banjo, mandolin, ukelele and cajon. If you are a fan of Mumford & Sons or The Lumineers, then this musical is a must-see. The opening song, Leave, was so mesmerising that it is still resonating in my soul three days later.

Wicked was equally amazing, but on different levels. The sheer scale and fantasy of the production was matched with the incredibly high calibre of talent. I've seen the production in Sydney before and struggle to compare the pair, but having been 5 years since Sydney, I think this production rates better.

I actually began writing this post on the train. The train to Paris! And I can only thank God for getting me to the station on time. The train departed at 06:18, but the earliest Tube I could catch was 5:46 from Camden. I arrived at Kings Cross at 06:01 and although I never resorted to running to St Pancras, the thought definitely crossed my mind more than once.

After three hours on the train and a slight time-zone shift, I arrived in Paris! I think it sounds more exciting than the reality of it though. I've been locked up in my apartment (thanks Airbnb) due to the rain. When it cleared up, i went for a little wander, which is what you'll see below. Unfortunately after only an hour or so, the rain returned heavier than before. But I don't mind. I got my panini. I got my croissant. I got my macaron. Is there really anything else I need to do here?

But honestly, don't expect me to be doing much more. I had already intended not to do Louvre or Eiffel Tower (I'll save it for next time). But I'm hoping to make to it to the afternoon Hillsong service tomorrow, weather permitting.

Until then, I'll be enjoying the French air and architecture from my 6th storey window :)