We caught the train from Newbury Park on 28th of July, 2004 and reached Waterloo Station at about 9 o’clock. We had a special interest about the trip and moreover the weather was very fine and sunny. Children’s happiness was limitless. They were dancing and jumping on the escalators. There was hustle and bustle on the Waterloo Station as usually seen on the Airport. Some of the tube stations have been recently modernized. To see these newly modernized stations, you are really amazed. On reaching the Waterloo Station we stood in the Immigration line. Immigration Officials checked our documents and we immediately ran towards the train. We were really overjoyed to see the Euro train which was newly updated and had modern facilities with a grand outlook. Our journey was so relaxing that our imaginations flew away. The train was going with its full speed but it seemed as if it was moving slowly. We just covered the little distance as the train was passing through the open atmosphere.

On the way there were green crops with their youth, where there were almond coloured cultivated fields, blossomed trees and the branches of flowers gave a natural site. All of these scenes that we experienced on the way were depicting natural beauty of the Almighty. It seemed that we were passing through the rural villages of the Punjab, India. Overall, European countries are industrialized and commercialised based, but on the other hand these countries are still based on the agriculture system. It was a 20 minutes tunnel journey. After that the natural environment was amusing us. After two and half hours the train reached gare-du-nord station. We enjoyed the station’s glamour and then we reached the hotel namely ‘Ibis’, which had already been booked for us. From there we had some rest and then we planned our programme to visit the glorious and marvels of Paris city. The beauty of Paris City lies within the architectural art, marble statues and the historical buildings. The hotel was very clean and beautiful. Though the rooms were medium sized but the interior was very well furnished and all the modern facilities were available. On reaching Paris the heat was very scorching, so luckily we had the air conditioning accessible. After a few hours of relaxing we set off to see Paris’s famous wonder the Eiffel Tower.

We can’t imagine how attractive and fine-looking the Eiffel Tower is when you experience it yourself. The tower has been erected on four pillars. The height is about 300 metres. Thousands of tons of steel have been used to create its construction. It was made by Eiffel in 1889. When you look up at the tower from the top, it turns into an arrowed shape. To reach at the top, there are stairs which go up to the second storey. Besides this there are lifts which go up to the last storey. I have got the experience to ascend the maximum stairs at Goindwal Sahib and fort of Anandpur Sahib. There was a long queue for the lifts and so we decided to climb by the stairs. We accompanied my son Barinderjit, my son-in laws Sukhwinder and Harjit and also my grand daughters Shalu, Tanu, Jasie, Manie and Amrit. All climbed constantly. But we had to take rest for three or four times. We could not go the last storey but our children climbed up to the last phase. It is not surprising that our young partners rose constantly. But it is really amazing that our grand daughter Amrit who is only 5 years of age climbed without taking any rest. We were fully delighted as all of us were enjoying to see the wonderful memorable place of the Europe. There was hustle and bustle at the first phase. There are various types of stores and shops and other amenities available at this level. People were drinking beer etc and were busy in their recreations. They were also taking photographs of the surroundings. If you see from the top the buildings, trees, parks and the people, they create a fascinating scene. No doubt you can take very interesting scenes through your cameras. Eiffel Tower is not only solid, its planning, technique and its craftsmanship is astonishing. You really bow your head before the craftsmanship. The last programme of the day was to enjoy the boat trip of the seine river. This day was fully sunny. The rays of sunshine in the water were creating a wonderful image. In the boat ship the recorded tape was describing the surroundings of the ship. It was also giving the description of the historical buildings and bridges etc. The children were enjoying the boat trip under the sunshine and were also making joyful shrieks. The ship travellers were also taking pleasure of the ship riding. There is no doubt that the boat trip is a really pleasing one. On the second day our programme was to see Disneyland Paris which is another wonder of Europe. It has been newly created and millions of pounds have been spent. Disneyland has many beautiful places worth seeing. Here there are enjoyable parks, restaurants and various types of shops. All these things fulfil the needs of the people. The thing which I liked most is the train which makes the people to enjoy the traditional and modern world created by the Disneyland. There are long queues for this train. While riding this train, you can really enjoy seeing the delightful sites. Here you can see agricultural implements and traditional tools and also male cows which were being used to cultivate the lands. You can also enjoy the densely forest with open natural atmosphere. You are also astonished to see the modern civilization which has been created artistically. This train stops at two or three intervals so that the people can look at the surroundings. We really enjoyed the created environment while sitting in the train. There are beautiful rides for the children in this park. There were cars and trams of olden times and horse driven four wheeled carriages for the recreations of the people. The children enjoyed the rides and we made the time delightful by having the train rides. It looked as there has been paradise on the earth. Although a man has to face many Calamities on this land but even then he is creating many wonderful modern privileges.
On the third day we were to see Versailles. It is a world famous chateau. It has been the capital of the great kings. It has also been the royal court for about hundred years. This place was the hunting yard of the father of Louis xiv which Louis xiv converted it into palace. This palace has very extensive halls. The Bedrooms of this palace have got beautiful paintings and its craftsmanship is also fascinating one. The beauty of this palace is known because of its remarkable craftsmanship, beautiful paintings and its architectural value. There is no doubt that each and every work has been done gracefully. This palace has also got its historical importance. In 1789 a revolutionary gang first killed the royal guard and then massacred Louis xvi. Because of these historical events people come to see this place from far and wide. Its glorious and glamorous richness gives reflection of Louis xiv for his self admiration and respect. This palace has got a very big complex. While moving around we were fully exhausted and also feeling appetite. While going out of the complex we sat in a lawn nearby the palace. You really feel delighted when you take rest in a relax mood after having continuous wandering about and rather becomes more interesting when you eat and drink sitting to gather. We made sandwiches and enjoyed our meal joyfully. After that we came back to the hotel but the children went to see the beach. We were exhausted completely and thus took a long rest and prepared ourselves to attain freshness for the next day trip. On the fourth day we were to come back to London by 7 0’clock train. But we want to make the best use of the rest of the day. We had a breakfast from the hotel in the morning and reached cite to see the Notre Dame church which is supposed to be biggest church of Roman Catholic. Its foundation stone was taken by Pope Alexander 3rd in 1163 which was formally completed in fourteenth century. The interior of this church is 130 metre long and 48 metre wide and its height is 35 metre. About 6000 people can be accommodated in its hall. This church is of Gothic style. It presents a beautiful example of architectural art. The beauty of this church lies in its craftsmanship and its intricate designing. Its artistic skill is really astonishing. Though there are limitless godly blessing on this earth, yet the man has also made remarkable achievements through its intellect and his artisanship. In the middle of the Hall, a great statue of Jesus Christ is available. People bow their head and take the photographs. At many places candles were lit. People pay their respect by putting money into the donation boxes. At some places there are priests sitting for those people who want to accept their guilt. There are certain Prayer corners made for those people who want to pray. People from various countries come to see this religious shrine. These Christ churches are open for all the people without any colour or creed. These religious places have also become the tourist attraction and thus the Tourism of these countries has become richer.
After having seen the richness of this church we departed for Charles –De-Galle Elliot-De-Trianephe. This place is very busy and beautiful. Here there is a huge gate which looks like India Gate of New Delhi. We stayed here for some time and enjoyed the sights and taken some photographs. We were completely tired and also feeling hungry. We went to Macdonald nearby. There was hustle and bustle here. Here it looks as if the people have come to enjoy the life like fun-fare. Glamour in the European hotels is increasing day by day. From that it appears that the Europeans are going away from their home life and are more inclined to outwardly life. The importance of home is declining day by day. We took food according to our choices and needs and thus relaxed ourselves for some time. Then we reached Gare-du-Nord, caught the train and reached London having deep rooted impressions of Paris trip.
French people love their language extremely. They also have got a lot of respect and pride for their national heroes of different spheres. They are very conscious about the incidents which occur in the history. They love the memories of their national heroes and keep them intact in their minds by erecting beautiful statues. That is why Paris is known as a city of statues and they further brighten the glory of Paris. We have seen complete discipline there. The trains are not only well marvellously furnished; they have also kept their standard up to date. The seats are very comfortable. The trains are punctual and the people know the etiquette. The marvellous things which we saw in the trains is the singers. They sing so nicely that the passengers are amused with their melodious songs. During our journey we were attracted by a girl singing so sweetly as there was honey mixed in his voice. Her voice was giving comfort and bliss to the people. We also met a bang of trumpet players who were also well versed in their art. They played beautiful tunes which touched and moved our hearts. The tunes of their songs looked like Punjabi ones and they swayed us. The children came in the dancing mood. No doubt these singers moved every one in the compartment. Paris trip was really wonderful. If you know little bit French you enjoy the trip nicely and you can bring flexibility in dealing with the local people. By doing this you can decrease the gap of communication.

P.S Some information where needed has been taken from the book entitled Paris published by Lonely Planet.