April in Paris…

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

It’s so wonderful being back in Paris. We had our struggles yesterday but this morning we move to our apartment and begin our three weeks of living life like a Parisian!

We arrived at the airport about 6 am and had to stand in line for security but checked in and ready for our 8 am flight by 7 am. We met a very nice man named Doug who has traveled the world and agreed that we were very smart in renting an apartment in Paris instead of using a hotel. He has rented apartments about five times all over Europe. He was headed for Indianapolis where he was scheduled to give a lecture at Prudue University. Indiana is my home state so that gave us even more to chat about. Time flew and before we knew it we were boarding the airplane. Our flight to Paris is on United Airlines, courtesy of air miles; the only way to fly!

Our flight to Chicago was fast and easy. We’d reserved our seats with an empty one in the center…Jim on the window, me on the aisle; but it was a full plane and I moved to the center seat and gave the aisle to our seatmate. We could have actually made $300 if we would have agreed to fly later in the day from Los Angeles! The flight was very over booked! We waited to see who would share our seats; delighted when a very harried mother put her eight year old son in the seat and then went back two rows to her seat. They’d made money the day before by giving up their seats and staying over an extra day in California. He was enjoying missing school and having a wonderful final day in California. The weather on Sunday was one of those special ones that you only get in Southern California!

I enjoyed our four hour flight as we discussed the various amusement parks that he’d visited during their Spring Break; comparing experiences on the roller coaster rides and whether or not we were able to hold our hands off the bars as we screamed our way up and down the rides. He was a very polite and smart eight year old that made the time fly. We were so busy chatting that I didn’t even get my book out to read.

We had several hours in Chicago and then boarded our flight to Paris. Everything on our flight was great! It’s been a while since we’ve flown on United but enjoyed the experience. Both flights left right on time, good food, and excellent crew. We had two seats together on the side with me on the aisle and Jim on the window. I like to get up and down frequently so I always take the aisle. I’m good about doing the leg exercising at the back of the plane. I think it really helps my legs from swelling and cramping. Jim and I both got a couple of hours of sleep. Watched several movies…we had the little individual screens…mine stopped working for a while but eventually came back on. They served us a lovely dinner and a snack before we landed. Customs was a breeze…they stamped our passports and that was it…no paperwork!

Checked luggage arrived on time and we were off to the RER for our train trip into Paris. Hard to beat for 9.25 euros each compared to 60 euros for a cab. And, the hotel reimbursed us for one fare when we arrived. Once we arrived in the city we had to change trains to get to our hotel near the Eiffel Tower. Lots of escalators and some stairs but with the help of wonderful people we managed to get all of our luggage to the hotel arriving about noon.

Had one bit of a struggle when the wheels of my luggage, I was pulling two suitcases, caught on the escalator and pulled me backwards. Down I went right into Jim and another lady. But other than being very embarrassed I’m okay except for a sprained little finger that will mend itself over time. The French people were so great about helping us on the steps.

They stored our luggage for two hours while we walked the area. Purchased a cell phone for ten euros and added fifty euros of time…about 4 hours. No charge for calls within France. We enjoyed a lunch at our nearby McDonalds…two euro chicken sandwiches and malts! Then back to the hotel. Struggled with the Internet while Jim took a nap; finally used the hotel computer to get messages out to family and friends that we’d arrived. Everything is different on a French keyboard so it’s hunt and peck! But I managed to get one out and they promised that the computers would work later in the day.

We left the hotel about 4 pm and walked over to the Eiffel Tower and then on to Rue Cler…one of our favorite streets in this area….where we sat and enjoyed a beer and a ham and cheese crepe at our favorite crepe restaurant. Arrived back at the hotel about 8 pm and spent an hour organizing things…still no computer internet…until crashing about 9 pm. Slept the night.

This morning we’re off to meet the landlord and move into our apartment.

FLYING ACROSS THE POND…

Monday, April 2, 2012

We will be in the air on our way to Paris by the time most of you read this journal entry. We finished packing last Friday, closed the suitcases about 3 pm and then our house sitting friends arrived from New York about 11 pm.

One of the last items we tucked inside Jim’s suitcase was a reflective vest; a recent French law requires that there be at least one of these in every car. Since we’d brought one home from the Tour de France in 2010; we decided to take it back to France with us for our driving tour.

The weather keeps changing in Paris…last week they were predicting snow on Good Friday and now it looks like no snow…just cooler weather. Wouldn’t that be fun to experience snow in Paris! It would have been a first in our book of travels. I mentioned to several people that I don’t remember being so excited about a trip recently. It must be due to the fact that we’re renting an apartment for three weeks in Paris; definitely a first! We’re anxious to experience the difference from staying in a hotel other than just the cost being more reasonable.

Hopefully you’ll receive my first blog from Paris within twenty-four hours! My first item is purchasing a cell phone and then checking out the rentals on the bike share program that they have all over the city of Paris. Then before the evening is done…a blog to tell you all that we’ve arrived safely and what we did on our first day in back Paris. And who said you can’t go home again!

One More Week.....

Monday, 26 March 2012

Hard to believe but we're almost ready to leave....this time next week we'll be flying over the USA to Chicago and on to Paris arriving the next morning. This morning I made sure all of my things will fit into the suitcase ... again.... and then took them back out for final review later this week before the final packing!

Today I read an article about how to dress up an all black or gray outfit in Paris: add a scarf, hat or pin but only one...never add all three! I have a hat, four different scarves and I added a couple of pins to my costume jewelry box so I'm sure that I've quadrupled my outfit variation! Contrary to previous trips; I won't feel like I'm in the same clothes day after day after day! What a difference a pin, scarf or hat will make!

Months ago, in preparation for this trip, I began to read blog spots that highlight Paris. I have shared some of them with you and my favorites are:

http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/

http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/

http://www.peter-pho2.com/

http://parisandbeyond-genie.blogspot.com/

I check each of these daily for the newest photo....yes...it's mostly one new photo per day...and tidbits of how to catch the essence of Paris. I also enjoy several sites on Facebook:

Bonjour Paris and Americans in France

All of the above have sharpened my pencil as we searched for sites to visit both in Paris and throughout our tour of France with our friends in the latter half of our trip.

We've had each of the local children and their families over for a dinner this past month; how delightful to spend an evening devoted to just one family; we actually had our dinners at the dining room table with candlelight. I think they've enjoyed this unusual family time as much as we have! For some, one of the big pluses was some quality time with their adult children who no longer live at home. And, we just heard that the four families who live nearby are all getting together for our traditional Easter Brunch after church. Generally I plan this and it's at our house but they put it together all on their own at the oldest daughter's home! Makes a mother proud!

à bientôt

Hotels Confirmed...Have Euros Will Travel....

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

During the past week Linda and I have been busy sending emails to each of the hotels we have reservations with to confirm that "yes" they do have us on their books! My emails were a bit more complicated because our bank reissued our credit card in December and I had to send out that information also. We made the reservations last October; so very important to reconfirm!

The Peugeot 308 SW Diesel automobile is now paid for and waiting in Paris. It is a brand new automobile through their lease/buyback program for European travelers who are staying for a minimum of 17 days...the following explanation is from their website:

How the Peugeot Buyback Lease Works:

The buyback lease in some ways can sound too good to be true. After all, how can they give you a brand new car for less than you'd pay for a traditional rental? The reason it's a good deal all around is that locals must pay a higher tax on a brand new car. Non-EU residents are exempt. So you get the new car, avoid the tax, and they can sell it afterwards for less. You are technically buying the car, and then they buy it back from you after your lease period.

Since we will be driving from April 24th to May 24th...it's a perfect deal for our trip. We'll return the car at Charles de Gaule Airport on our way back into Paris for our final six days. This program also solves the problem of the fact that most rental companies will not rent to a person over the age of 75 years...and Jim falls in that range. They are not concerned with that issue and you also have an all inclusive insurance policy that comes with the car program.

Jim and I have used this program at least four times on previous trips. This time it's a larger automobile since there are four of us and we also have GPS for the first time. Hopefully that will replace the job of navigating from maps that are generally out of date! I do hope her English is good! Oh yes....we always give our GPS a name...usually a female....the one at home is "Miss Daisy"...and we'll have to think of one that we all like for our trip...Linda...if you're reading this...start thinking!

On the Euro issue we decided to buy some from our bank so that we don't have to worry about the 550 Euros we need for the first day....to pay the balance of our rent for the apartment. Cash is required. The 50% deposit was paid last fall when we reserved the apartment. We checked the rate online and it was 1.32; we headed to our bank intending to purchase 1000 Euros but although they assured us there were no fees for customers...the rate was 1.39! When questioned they said that those published rates are the rate for transferring millions of dollars into Euros.

So we elected to only get 500 and use the ATM when we arrive for the balance needed. Jim is sure the rate is going to go down in the next two weeks...I'm not so sure that it won't go up in the next two weeks. One of us will be able to say "I told you so!" We actually have Euros left from our trip in 2010 and our good friends Shari and Dave sold us their change that they had left from their trip last summer. So if you plan to pre-purchase money for travel; remember that the rate of exchange is much higher than published and you need to do it several days ahead as they have to order the funds for you. This is the first time we've pre-purchased funds as we always use the ATM after we arrive in Paris and will probably continue to do that in the future.

Only twelve more days to go......

Planning, packing and repairs...

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The trial run on rolling the clothes as opposed to folding was a great success! Hardly any wrinkles and I can get more in as there are fewer wasted pockets of space! I've found another shirt I can tuck in that is nylon; easy to wash and dry, and red for a change of color from black.

We spotted a leak in the street in front of our house last week; on the city side of the water meter so it was their nickel that made the repairs yesterday. And, we found a leak in a supply line to one of the toilets that could have been a major problem while we were gone. That's one reason that I like to invite friends to stay in our house while we're gone. Nothing worse than coming home to a water damaged house!

Today I worked on estimating how often we would be hitting the ATM for Euros; that required guesstimating the amount of Euros we'll be spending each day and also the anticipated ratio of the Euro to the Dollar. Then I entered all of the hotel bills into my accounting system; again an estimate not knowing the exact amounts and the conversion rate. But after several hours of diligent work on the computer, I now have a good idea of what we'll need to finance this adventure. Our plane tickets are "air miles" and that takes a big hunk off of the bill. When you're gone for two months those bills arrive and even though everything is set up for auto pay you still have to have the right funds in the right accounts. Good thing that I enjoy accounting!

I heard from our friends who live just outside of Paris; I met them while in Australia. We're meeting them for lunch on our first Saturday. They have a little three year old girl and a new baby boy born last fall; we're excited to see both of them!

We have four children who live nearby and since we'll miss the traditional Easter Brunch at our house we've been having each "family" over for dinner separately. The last one is scheduled for March 23rd. It's been a nice change and wonderful to sit around the table together for a meal. It's always buffet style when the family gathers as there are too many of us...we number twenty five with just the local ones! Add San Diego and there is another eight if everyone comes. Then we have four more in San Francisco and another three in New Jersey. But it is delightful when they all come for Christmas and sometimes for Easter!

For those who enjoy reading blogs, my twin sister Mary has resurrected her old blog from our twin trip in 2009 to Europe. She and her husband are leaving the end of March for a thirty day cruise (two back to back) to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary. They fly to Sydney Australia for a few days and then leave from there. To follow Mary and Phil's trip you can log on to http://www.the-traveling-twins.blogspot.com/

Only 18 more days......

March 8, 2012....Suitcase is packed....maps are done...

The preliminary suitcase is closed. Trying to see how wrinkled things are with rolling each item as opposed to folding. It's zipped up and next week I'll open the case and shake things out. Yes...packing is never really finished until you leave; if there's an inch you'll find something to tuck in until it's so full you put a luggage strap around to keep it from bursting!

The planning phase of our trip really came together when we visited Terry & Linda in Indiana. Terry and I had a high school reunion...our 55th...and it was the perfect opportunity to work together on renting the car; selecting hotels...at least getting started...while we stayed at their home for a few days.



The work continued for several months until we finally had our last hotel reservations secured and everyone was comfortable with the plan. Below are maps of our progress:



I've finished mapping out our Paris adventures for the first three weeks; a benefit from doing this is that I have learned Metro stops, street names and oh so much about the geography of the city of Paris. Even though I've officially finished I still find myself penciling in additional items as I find them on the Internet. Thought you might enjoy a view the the Arrondissement Map of Paris:



A new item that we added is that we're meeting (for the first time) a second cousin of Jim's from Illinois....she saw this blog and contacted us. She is taking a Trafalgar Tour of France in April and will be arriving and leaving from Paris while we are there. She's staying in the La Defense area so we've added that to our schedule! It's outside the Peripherique but definitely something we want to see. There are three arc's in Paris and they line up across the map; now we'll finally see the third one and send you a photo of all three from there (I hope)!

Only 25 more days.....

One Month To Go!

February is finally over and we leave one month from today! Plans are moving along but I'm really anxious for the trip to begin. I've been researching daily on the computer about all the things to see in the twenty arrondissements that make up the city of Paris. By breaking them down into twenty sections we've got manageable lists of so many different things that we'll never get to see all of them. But, I've printed maps and located everything for each day so that we can easily find where we're going. Now to plan which arrondissement (love that word!) to go to on each day....so many decisions.

Little museums are high on our list: Musee du la Vie Romantique, Edith Piaf Museum, Tapestries Manufacturing Museum, Musee Jean Moulin (a French Resistance Fighter in WW II) and list goes on and on. Parks and private gardens we've found in a book called "Quiet Corners of Paris" have all been found and marked on the maps. We've been told it's okay to open gates that are unlocked to peek inside of these quiet corners.

Our travel friends are in the midst of the terrible storms in Indiana today and we're keeping them in our prayers. Tornadoes can be deadly but then we live in earthquake country! So until next week...stay safe everyone.

More Airline Changes

As our trip draws closer you'll notice that I'm blogging every six days so that my post date will eventually be on Monday...the day of the week that we fly across the pond!

Today we received notice from American Airlines that our flight details were changed. Have you ever booked flights months in advance and not had them change? This is the second change for the flight home...a minor bump that keeps us on the same plane in Austin...yes...we go through customs in Dallas and then hop to Austin before our final flight to LAX. But...we'll be arriving an hour later than originally. Not good for our lucky relatives who will be meeting us with the car!

We've been working on discovering the actual size of the trunk space in the car that we've rented in France. All the information is in meters that they have sent us...also in French...and after translating everything we really don't know much more than we did last October. So me thinks we'll just trust the original estimate and assume everything will fit! Linda did email me the information that we had in October and that helped reassure me.

I found my padlock for the bridge in Paris. Yes, we're taking one with a key...printed our names on it...and will attach it to the bridge with everyone else's...then toss the key into the Seine River as a symbol of our undying love. It's been 52 years so I guess we qualify! I think it started in Rome near Trevi Fountain and has become a phenomenon in cities as varied as Belgium to Japan. Last year the locks on the bridge Pont des Arts near the Louvre were cut off, reportedly by the government. But romance won and now locks are on two bridges in Paris: Pont des Art and Pont de l'Archevéché. We also have directions to find a friend's lock to verify that it is still there.

The sun is shining and it'll be 80 degrees here in sunny California today; compared to the 50's in Paris. But, it's better than the 20 degree weather they were having early this month. We are hoping that the daily temperatures continue to rise over the next six weeks.

Less Than Seven Weeks Until We Leave for Paris

It's been a busy week...purchased two "little black dresses" but had to pick only one to pack. I took out one of the two black pants I'd packed, along with the rain poncho (will do with just the umbrella) in order to fit an extra pair of tennis shoes. The weather looks rainy and cool in April so the extra shoes will be handy. I also squeaked a little short jacket in to dress up my black outfits. Yes...I'm going "french" and packing black...black...black. I'll have the pale green jacket that will look great with pants for visiting expensive bars in five star hotels so that we can see the inside. And a pastel flower short sleeve blouse....otherwise I'm black from the tip of my shoes to the top of my head! Must admit...I still have the gray hair!

You'll notice that I've added some French music to my blog...hope you enjoy it! You can change songs by clicking on a different tune if you roll down and look under the Achives on the left side. Must admit I got the ideal from the blog that I mentioned last week. It was easy to set up but learning to put it into my blog was another story! But, I kept at it until it worked.

This week I wrote to my friend in Provence who owns the Olive Mill; I told him that we'd be there to visit with him in April. I actually met him in California in 2007 when we were doing the California tour with our friends who are joining us for the last five weeks of our trip. My twin sister and I visited with him during our Twin Trip in 2009. It's always fun to meet with people that you know. We'll also be meeting with friends in Paris that I met in Australia. And, my son tells me that they have friends who will be in Paris during Easter break with their children and we hope to meet up with them....maybe a picnic in the jardin des tuileries!

Another project has been arranging for house sitters while we're gone. It's always so nice to have someone in your home when you're traveling to catch the little things that sometimes go array if the house sits empty for too long. Merci beaucoup to my generous friends and family who fill this need.

Working on my To Do list I've been able to scratch off: dental and eye exams; income taxes; estimating expenses until end of May for Quicken...a big project. And the list goes on and on but it's definitely getting shorter each day.

SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR UPCOMING TRIP

Hard to believe that in less than eight weeks we'll begin our newest adventure...a two month trip to France. Yes...we're going again to our favorite places.

We will begin our trip with three weeks in Paris; something different than a week or a few days here and there staying in hotels. This time we have taken it one step further and rented a studio apartment in the 15th Arrodissement....that's walking distance to the Eiffel Tower. Our plans are to visit the twenty Arrondissements over the three weeks to discover the little treasures tucked in the secret corners of Paris.

Right now we are busy researching those secrets on the Internet, reading books and enjoying a few blogspots that feature daily photos of Paris. When you've time click on this one: http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com/ you may have to cut & paste but you'll enjoying returning each morning for a new photo and the wonderful French music on the site.

I'm busy putting everything on the bed in the guest room to determine what I need and how much of it I can squeeze into our two small pieces of luggage....always a challenge! I'm going to be blogging at least weekly...and maybe more....about our preparations! Stay tuned....

2011 Eastlake Village Boat Parade Photos

Our good friend Jim Benet took these photos of the boats from our patio at the party on Saturday! They are definately the work of a very good photographer....thanks for sharing Jim....they are fabulous shots!

2011 EASTLAKE CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE

The Eastlake Boat Parade weekend is over...very successful! The weather was perfect...dry and crisp! As promised I've got some photos of a few of the fifty plus boats that were in the parade both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Enjoy....



Jim and I drove our boat this evening...our party was on Saturday...so while we were waiting for the parade to start; I took some photos of the decorated homes. Remember these were taken at night, without flash, from a moving boat!

2011 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

I thought you might enjoy photos that I took last night around our neighborhood. We live on a small lake and everyone decorates extensively for a boat parade that we have every year on the second weekend in December. Enjoy....



After the weekend I will post a second slideshow of the boats in the parade....