Paris and London. 2011

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Well, back in the USA. Flight was long but good . Sat next to an Air Force pilot and his buddies returning home from Africa. This was there second 10 hour flight plus they had a 7 hour layover in Minneapolis then there final flight to Boise. so I guess I really can’t complain!

After the shuttle dumped me off at the curb, and I mean dumped off I made my way inside the terminal. What a comedy. Me, three bags, my carry on, my pollow and blanket. I finally found one of those carts ( they are free in Paris) I made my way to the check in. Ther was this really mean lady who was making everyone walk over and size their carry on, actually put in on the stand and fit it in! I hoped I didn’t get her cause there was no way my bag was going to fit. Needless to say I got this really chill guy. He didn’t size my carryon and one of my bags was over weight and he said he would let it slide. so Cool!

Then I had to go to passport line, then the clearance line, then another check point before boarding. At the last check point they were again sizing bags and again, I made it through.

When they tell you to be there at least 3 hours early, you better be!

So after leaving Minneapolis they do another bag check. I put my bag on the conveyor belt and half way through it gets stuck and jams the machine. The guys saying “there’s a bag stuck, crab the cane”. This went on for about 3 to 4 minutes when another security said ” I’m going in” climbed into the conveyor belt, shimmied in the xray and pulled out my bag. They asked if it was my bag and then asked if next time I would just put it in long ways. I told them that this is the perfect story to end my 17 day trip and blog.

So there it is. It is good to be home, with the people I love but I definitely left part of me in Paris. So I will be wearing red lipstick, taking a class to learn to speak French and go back as soon as possible.

Au Revoir!

The last day

today is my last day in Paris and to that I am sad to go is an understatement. This has been the most amazing experience of my life so far. It has opened my eyes to so many new and wonderful things. Let’s just say the world is a lot bigger than Las Vegas!

I want to thank Kathy for showing me the city and Paige for showing the day to day life of Paris! Thanks to Alexa and Dimple for sharing their home with us.

I look forward to the day I return, hopefully sooner than later. At least that is my goal!

Au Revoir

Day 15

We slept in today and awoke to pouring rain! It is really the first time it rained since we’ve been here. How lucky are we? It rained more in London! We laid around and packed some stuff. It really hit us that our trip is almost over.

Kathy and her mom went to see an orchestra and they said it was fantastic! It was inside of a church so it was very intimate and the acoustics were great.

Paige and I had dinner at an “Americanized ” restaurant. It was delicious! I had a chicken salad and Paige had Mac and cheese! If you can believe it was the first time we sat down at a restaurant the whole trip! That’s why we had so much extra money to shop.

We then went to the Eiffel tower. The weather had cleared and you really only needed a sweater. We bought tickets to go to the top. I was stepping out of my comfort zone as I do not like heights! Needless to say the first level was high enough for me! Paige was laughing at me and she took a pic and the look of fear on my face was priceless. Thank goodness for me it is blurry. We enjoyed the beauty and then went to meet up with Kathy. Next time I am going all the way up !

We are going to see Jim Morrison’s grave tomorrow and wind down our trip.

Au Revoir soon I will back to saying goodbye :(. But I think I will say Au Revoir anyway!

Day 14

Today I went to the train to get to Versalles and it was closed!! Every Monday they are closed for cleaning. Super bummed. I decided I was going to try to get around the city, make lemonade out of lemons! The metro system isn’t as easy as it looks! I got lost x 10! Lucky I always remember “the 8 to Balard”. That is Paige’s stop. The problem is that you have to have a key to get in and out. It has to be locked every time. So they thought in was going to Versailles , which takes several hours, so the game plan was to meet back at 4. It was now 11. So luckily Paige’s roommate was home and was able to give me some directions. I went to a local shopping area, had an expresso and a crepe and finally found a gift for Cash! We met back at four where we started our Halloween party. We made yummy dinner and dressed in our costumes ( when I say we I mean me and Kathy)

We are now stuffing ourselves with candy corns and planning tomorrow. It is all Saints Day which is a holiday here and everything is pretty much closed. We are going to see Jim Morrison’s grave tomorrow and tomorrow night Kathy and her mom are going to see an orchestra and Paige and I are going up the the Eiffel Tower. Versalles will have to be a reason to come back! Now off to make jewelry.

Au Revoir!

Day 13

Feel much better today! We started off at the first flea market we went to when we first arrived. I found beautiful pendents. I can’t wait to make necklaces! I found some awesome jewelry,vintage,that I an going to keep for myself. We spent the day with Grammy, Kathy’s mom, it was super fun and she is going to come to our Halloween party! We ended up at an art market. It is unbelievable the creativity. I bought the most unique ring. I will post a picture. We ended up back by Notre Dame looking for some fuzzy gloves that Kathy wanted, mission accomplished!

Tomorrow I am going to Versailles! Kathy will be heading to another flea market!

Au Revoir!

Day 12 

Today was an interesting day. We woke up to go to the flea market. When we got there I started feeling very light headed. Then I almost passed out. I had to sit down and Kathy had to take me back to the apartment.

She went back out and I went to bed. It was decided that I was really dehydrated. I wasn’t really drinking any water as there is NOWHERE to go to the bathroom on the streets of Paris. We don’t realize how important that is!

It has been about 10 hours and I feel much better. I drank about 2 gallons of water and will continue to drink it!

At least I don’t have a broken foot.

Tomorrow Paris outside of Paige’s apartment

Au Revoir

Day 11

We checked out of our hotel in London. We wanted to leave our bags at the concierge but they don’t do that there. I guessed we are spoiled in Vegas. We had to go to a train station, which is different than the underground which is also different the metro! Talk about confusing. Thank God Kathy knows where she is going. We stored our luggage (8.5 pounds per bag). We then hopped on the underground and went to Kensington Palace where Will and Kate will living. There is a lot of construction going on. It also where they grew up with Princess Diana. They are not living there now as he is in the Royal Air Force now. We were able to walk around the castle and see the history of the Kings of the past. So interesting.

Kensington Palace is located in Hyde Park. It is huge and beautiful. The trees were amazing and the colors of the leaves are so awesome.

Then we went down to Portobello Road which is a famous shopping area in London.

We then met the train. Immediately upon boarding the train a baby started screaming and did not stop the whole 2 1/2 hours! Super fun.

It was so cool to wake up in London and go to sleep in Paris.

Cheers and Au Revoir !

Day 10

Sorry we didn’t write so tired. I never walked so much in be whole life. At least the British don’t like stairs or cigarets as much as the French.

We got up early and headed to the Beatles tour. Lawrence was our guide and he was very knowledgeable and funny. Pictures to come with narrations because we are smart now. Of course we went to Abbey Road and walked the crosswalk ( video to come).

After that we went to the Tower of London and saw the Crown Jewels. They were amazing. You stood on this conveyor belt and rode by them. There was also a lot of history about all the Kings etc, again pics to come as we are smart.

We walked around and shopped a little, had lunch. Paige had to drink nasty cold medicine as Kathy gave her the plague. I, thank goodness, feel great! I truly believe in Air Bourne and recommended highly.

We did not do the Jack the Ripper tour as it was cold and rainy. It gives us an excuse to come back :)

Paige is a very good influence on me as she doesn’t swear. So I am cleaning up my potty mouth!

Cheers for now!

Day 9

Hello All,

Today was another great day.  Some light rain but sunny also.  We started our day out with shopping.  Kathy wanted a puffy coat. She was successful in her mission.  Paige found a super cute sweater with spikes.  It is really cool.  I found something for my nephews, finally!  I was getting nervous cause I already bought my niece a few things :)

We attempted to go to the Jack The Ripper walking tour.  On the way there our train stopped and there was an announcement that the line that we needed was temporally suspended because there was “somebody under the train”.  Everyone had to leave that particular station.  We think someone fell or jumped :(  Pretty creepy.  The weirdest part is that they kept saying it over and over ” there is somebody under a train”.  Kathy said the last time she was here and was on her way to the Jack The Ripper tour the same thing happened.  She wasn’t sure if it was for the same reason or what.  I said well maybe it is a sign!

Tomorrow will just be a jammed packed day!  Up early for the Beatles walking tour, The Tower of London then the Jack The Ripper tour.  I am sure we will be forced to do some more shopping on the way  :)

Today I took 60 pounds out of the bank and the ATM said this is GBP cash and was I sure.  Well of course I wasn’t sure so I asked the guy behind me and he said it was Great Britain Pounds.   Duh!   FYI  the 60 pounds cost 97.00 US dollars.

Well Cheers for now! Fingers crossed that we get to do all the tours tomorrow !!

Day 8

Well, we are here in London.  We have been up since 4am and rode the train here.  I slept all the way so I didn’t even know when we went under the water.  Kathy said you can’t tell anyway.  We checked into our hotel and went to Vintage stores. There are alot of them here.  No beads today  :)   Not to mention the dollar is worth even less here then in Paris.  You basically have to double what the price says.  So my shopping days are numbered :(.  We walked around alot, and when I say around I mean in a circle!  We were trying to find our hotel and took a “short cut” but the streets in London aren’t straight!  We were lost for about an hour but we finally found our way.

We were going to see the “Jack The Ripper”  walking tour tonight but decided to stay in and chilax.  The weather was pretty good, some showers but sunny.  Tomorrow we are going to some sights and probably to the walking tour.  We are waiting to see when Paige’s friend gets here to decide when we should do the Beatles tour.  It is going to be so cool.  We are also planning to see a few museums and the Tower of London,  The Palace.  There won’t be any pictures until we get back to Pairs as there is no wi-fi and it costs 1 pound (2 dollars) per half hour.

Don’t worry though,  I will still pay 8 dollars for starbucks!

Cheers for now