My last posting of this trip. Today my 5th around-the-world journey comes to an end. Home at last. It hits me every year that I enjoy all of the various other places on the planet - but there is absolutely no place like home in Fort Lauderdale. It is truly heaven to me.
On this trip, I have travelled on 17 flights for a total of almost 27,000 miles and on 1 ship for almost 2,000 miles. Almost 30,000 miles traveled around the world. I wish I had worn an odometer for this trip so I would know how far I have walked over the past 6+ weeks. I would imagine over 50 miles but it is hard to guage.
And I took 1,451 pictures over the last 6 weeks. The most in Istanbul and Paris, and the least during the days on the ship, Bulgaria and Romania. I'll really have to go some editing of those!
I visited 7 new countries this trip - Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. Revisits to Greece, Switzerland, and France. Good experiences in all.
It hits me that no matter where I travel, I realize that while our American way of life is pretty special, it isn't the only way.
We all share many common human traits - we have families that we love, we want to earn a living to provide for ourselves and our loved ones, we want to have enough to eat and drink, we want to have trust in our government (and we are disappointed when the government is corrupt or causes us to distrust it), we want to feel safe, we want jobs to earn a living, and we want access to good health care. Universal constants.
We may dress differently, live differently, eat differently, drive differently, sleep differently, and sometimes behave differently, but we hold more in common than we have differences. The things that matter the most are held in common. If only we could get beyond the other things that really don't matter.
I got up at 5:45 am and went over to the airport for my last flight - this time on US Airways - from Reagan to FLL. It was a zoo at the National Car Rental check in. That took a while. I checked my bag with US Airways and she wanted me to pay for an overweight bag (57.5 pounds) but I reminded her that I was first class. Security lines at Reagan were slow and a zoo. Very confusing.
Plane was a little late getting in but we loaded up and were on our way south. On arrival, I retrieved my bag, Terry was waiting for me to take me to the Venetian.
I got my bags in the condo - gosh is it good to be home - and then headed out to meet Tim for luch. It was good to see him as I've missed him so during my trip.
Now to plan my 6th Around-The-World Trip!!!!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Day 42 - Sunday June 19, 2011 - Fredericksburg, VA
Woke up at 6:30 - UGH - and turned over and slept until 8.
Made coffee and finished my laundry. It is good to have clean clothes again.
Chris and I discussed further renovations on his home. We went and had BBQ for lunch since I haven't had that in almost 2 months - it was good - along with sweet tea!
We went by Lowes and I ordered a Corian countertop for the vanity in Chris' half bath. That will finally finish the downstairs renovations that I started over a year ago but got sidetracked with various other projects. I am planning to coome back to do his upstairs guest bathroom and 2 guest rooms - lots of wallpaper to remove. Tim and I are planning a weekend in NYC and I'll come up early and do some of the renovations in either July or August.
We watched a movie on TV and then headed to the movies for a 4 pm movie - Super 8 - entertaining. An enjoyable time spent with my son.
After the movie we went to Mimi's for an early dinner and then I headed up the road to Washington, DC for the night. My flight leaves from Reagan Airport very early on Monday morning. So rather than having to get up at 4 am to get to DC on Monday I booked a hotel for the night. I also didn't want to risk running into DC work day traffic. So the Hampton Inn was very convenient to the airport and I stayed there for the night.
The traffic on I-95 in Fredericksburg was awful so I went up US 1 a ways and got on and had no trouble from there. Used the express lanes and got all of the way to the Pentagon. No trouble finding the Hampton Inn. Filled the car up with gas so that would be done. The Hampton upgraded me to a king suite on the top floor - nice digs.
Even though I'm in DC, I'll still have to get up about 6 am tomorrow so I was off to bed a little before 11. At this point, I'm very anxious and excited to get home tomorrow. Such a great trip and adventure I've had.
Made coffee and finished my laundry. It is good to have clean clothes again.
Chris and I discussed further renovations on his home. We went and had BBQ for lunch since I haven't had that in almost 2 months - it was good - along with sweet tea!
We went by Lowes and I ordered a Corian countertop for the vanity in Chris' half bath. That will finally finish the downstairs renovations that I started over a year ago but got sidetracked with various other projects. I am planning to coome back to do his upstairs guest bathroom and 2 guest rooms - lots of wallpaper to remove. Tim and I are planning a weekend in NYC and I'll come up early and do some of the renovations in either July or August.
We watched a movie on TV and then headed to the movies for a 4 pm movie - Super 8 - entertaining. An enjoyable time spent with my son.
After the movie we went to Mimi's for an early dinner and then I headed up the road to Washington, DC for the night. My flight leaves from Reagan Airport very early on Monday morning. So rather than having to get up at 4 am to get to DC on Monday I booked a hotel for the night. I also didn't want to risk running into DC work day traffic. So the Hampton Inn was very convenient to the airport and I stayed there for the night.
The traffic on I-95 in Fredericksburg was awful so I went up US 1 a ways and got on and had no trouble from there. Used the express lanes and got all of the way to the Pentagon. No trouble finding the Hampton Inn. Filled the car up with gas so that would be done. The Hampton upgraded me to a king suite on the top floor - nice digs.
Even though I'm in DC, I'll still have to get up about 6 am tomorrow so I was off to bed a little before 11. At this point, I'm very anxious and excited to get home tomorrow. Such a great trip and adventure I've had.
Day 41 - Saturday June 18, 2011 - Paris, France to Washington, DC - then to Fredericksburg, VA
Woke up at 6:30 to finish packing and head to Charles de Gaulle Airport for my 16th flight of this trip. I travel almost 4,000 miles today from Paris to Washington Dulles. (Hate that airport!).
Went to the executive lounge and it was closed - I forgot that they only do breakfast Monday to Friday. So I made coffee in my room to get me going.
Finished packing and checked out a little after 8 to allow myself about 60 minutes to get the CDG. The check-out line at the Marriott was all of the way across the entire lobby and moving at a snail's pace! I was surprised. Finally I asked the concierge about the delay. He got me an "Express Check-out" form and I left that and the key with him and took off for the metro.
I bought another metro ticket last night since I lost my pass so I went right through the turnstile and a train was waiting. I had to use the elevator since I had all of my bags with me - and it was the slowest elevator in the world - so figured there was no way that train would wait. And it was a "direct" train to CDG too! But the elevator finally got me down and I got right on the train! I had looked up the schedules for Saturday and this was one of the few "direct" trains. It makes no stops after Gare du Nord until it gets to CDG. The direct train is not only faster but it's a lot safer as there are some "shady characters" that get on and off the trains in the neighborhoods between Gare du Nord and CDG - actually in the same neighborhood where I was yesterday at the Basilica! This was a good suggestion by Al to take the direct train and I'll remember that for next time. (www.SNCF.com).
I got on the tram from the RER station at CDG and went to Terminal 1. I checked in with United and went to the lounge to await my flight. The flight was scheduled to leave at 12:25 but I left the lounge at 11 since the security at the gate can be a huge line at times. But today it wasn't an issue - breezed right through.
Security and boarding were both uneventful. We loaded on - and the plane was packed. TOok off on time. Drinks - lunch - nap - 2 movies - and a snack before we landed. We traveled almost 4,000 miles. Landed 10 minutes early at Dulles but that airport is awful. We had to walk and walk and walk - only to find out that we then had to get on a bus to get us to immigration. The lines in immigration were HUGE. So after more than an hour, I finally was through immigration, retrieved my bag that was waiting when I got there, and went to get my rental car at National.
Picked out my car from Emerald Aisle and headed down the causeway to 495 and then to 95. Traffic was awful in a couple of places. Arrived at Chris' house in Fredericksburg a little after 5. It was good to see him.
Did 3 loads of laundry so I'll finally have some clean clothes. About 7:30 we went to a great italian restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg. Too much to eat for me - plus I was fading fast.
We got home about 9, I updated email and put the final load of clothes in the washer, and then went to bed. A long, long day for me.
Went to the executive lounge and it was closed - I forgot that they only do breakfast Monday to Friday. So I made coffee in my room to get me going.
Finished packing and checked out a little after 8 to allow myself about 60 minutes to get the CDG. The check-out line at the Marriott was all of the way across the entire lobby and moving at a snail's pace! I was surprised. Finally I asked the concierge about the delay. He got me an "Express Check-out" form and I left that and the key with him and took off for the metro.
I bought another metro ticket last night since I lost my pass so I went right through the turnstile and a train was waiting. I had to use the elevator since I had all of my bags with me - and it was the slowest elevator in the world - so figured there was no way that train would wait. And it was a "direct" train to CDG too! But the elevator finally got me down and I got right on the train! I had looked up the schedules for Saturday and this was one of the few "direct" trains. It makes no stops after Gare du Nord until it gets to CDG. The direct train is not only faster but it's a lot safer as there are some "shady characters" that get on and off the trains in the neighborhoods between Gare du Nord and CDG - actually in the same neighborhood where I was yesterday at the Basilica! This was a good suggestion by Al to take the direct train and I'll remember that for next time. (www.SNCF.com).
I got on the tram from the RER station at CDG and went to Terminal 1. I checked in with United and went to the lounge to await my flight. The flight was scheduled to leave at 12:25 but I left the lounge at 11 since the security at the gate can be a huge line at times. But today it wasn't an issue - breezed right through.
Security and boarding were both uneventful. We loaded on - and the plane was packed. TOok off on time. Drinks - lunch - nap - 2 movies - and a snack before we landed. We traveled almost 4,000 miles. Landed 10 minutes early at Dulles but that airport is awful. We had to walk and walk and walk - only to find out that we then had to get on a bus to get us to immigration. The lines in immigration were HUGE. So after more than an hour, I finally was through immigration, retrieved my bag that was waiting when I got there, and went to get my rental car at National.
Picked out my car from Emerald Aisle and headed down the causeway to 495 and then to 95. Traffic was awful in a couple of places. Arrived at Chris' house in Fredericksburg a little after 5. It was good to see him.
Did 3 loads of laundry so I'll finally have some clean clothes. About 7:30 we went to a great italian restaurant in downtown Fredericksburg. Too much to eat for me - plus I was fading fast.
We got home about 9, I updated email and put the final load of clothes in the washer, and then went to bed. A long, long day for me.
Day 40 - Friday June 17, 2011 - Paris, France
Top: Inside La Madelaine - Used as a church in Paris.
Middle: Inside the Basilica St. Denis - the burial place for most of the kings and queens of France. This is the tomb of Francois I. Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette's graves are in the basement crypt.
Bottom: The heart of Louis XVII.
Last night I closed the black out shade and it worked. I woke up at 6:30 but turned over until 7:45. A good night's sleep at last - but I'm wanting to be home in my own bed now.
Had breakfast in the Executive Lounge and then took a train to go across town to look at a couple of rental properties that Diane had sent to me. One big problem - on the train I looked at the information and I had the streets but no house numbers. Oh well.
I had to change trains at Montparnasse and had to use one of the very long moving sidewalks to get from one terminal to another. South Africa had a three-dimensional display over the entire passage advertising their country - beautiful pictures and scenery all in 3-D. They handed you 3-D glasses when you got on the sidewalk and took them back when you got off. Unique.
Since I didn't have the addresses, I went to La Madeleine. Beautiful structure and the inside is gorgeous. Beautiful flowers all over the front steps. Left there and went to Fauchon - which used to be a great food market with ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs and all kinds of other animals hanging up and fresh produce. But it has become very commercial - didn't see any of the old displays that I liked.
Left there a little before 11 and headed to The Louvre on foot. Enroute at Palais Royal they had a booth on Alsace up with all kinds of wines, cheeses, and other items unique to Alsace. The smells of the cheeses were wonderful. Lingered there a bit and then continued on to Al Stewart's flat to meet him for lunch.
I stopped at a little store across from the Louvre and bought 3 scarves (made of crinkly material) that all of the French men are wearing. Looks great - and it actually did feel good against my neck with the overcast chilly weather today.
I arrived there right on time whereas the other night I was "retard fasionable". He laughed. He had several choices for lunch but we decided on one within walking distance at The Bastille. We set off on foot and went into a church along the way that has old graffiti: "La Republic Francaise ou la mort" (A free republic of France or death). That's cool that they saved that.
We arrived at Leon de Bruxelles right at The Bastille round-about. The moules and frites were delicious. Great lunch and very reasonable for Paris. This restaurant started in the little alley in Brussels that I love that is just packed with seafood restaurants. Now they have expanded to other cities.
Al and I walked back to the Hotel de Ville and I bid him farewell. Will see him soon back in Ft Lauderdale. I took the metro to the Champs d'Elysee, and changed trains to get to St. Denis. The Basilica St. Denis is the next to the last stop on this line and is the location of the burial sites for most of the French kings, queens, and other royals. Clovis I (1st king of France) is buried here as are Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Louis XVIII, and Francois I. Beautiful church and stained-glass windows. They had the sanctuary set up for a concert that is happening either tonight or this weekend.
Spent the afternoon marveling at the neat tombs of the royals. Then decided to head back to Paris. So where is my subway pass? Looked everywhere and it's gone!!!! I thought I put it in my jacket pocket so it either fell out or someone picked my pocket. Nothing else missing. So I bought a 1.70 euro ticket to get back all of the way across town to the hotel.
Arrived back at the hotel in time for "cocktail hour" in the lounge, so changed clothes and put shorts on for a while. My feet are killing me again, so I may not go far tonight.
Had my red wine in the lounge and snacks. Talked to a couple from Chicago and their daughter for along time. Seems like American politics is a favotite topic. I gave them some restaurant recommendations and left at 9 to find my own restaurant. There was ONE criteria tonight - DO THEY HAVE ILE FLOTTANTE? I found the Au Vin des Rues Restaurant and they met the criteria. Of course they sat me at a table SQUEEZED between 2 other tables. Typical French.
I had a great dinner. The American couple of my left didn't want to talk but the French couple from the south of France on my right were very talkative - so between the French and English we did just fine. You see, if you TRY, you can make it work. It was FUN.
My entrecote was actually lean and good. I had red wine. And of course ile flottante - it was SO GOOD. And the French couple died laughing that this was the reason I came to this restaurant. But none of the other restaurants had it on their menu!
Finished dinner about 10:30 and walked back to the hotel. Checked the train schedule to CDG and it looks like I need to get the 9 am train. I checked the fair and "mon dieur" - I need 8.7 euros and I only have 5.60 left. My 5 day pass would have gotten me back but I lost it! Merde! So I used my credit card while the station attendant was there for a ticket for "demain" (tomorrow). I can't believe it was 8.7. Oh well.
It was after 11 pm and my blog is updated and I'm pooped. Off to bed - ready to head home tomorrow.
Bon Soir!
Day 39 - Thursday June 16, 2011 - Paris, France
Top: The Cathedral Notre Dame in Reims, France. This is called the Coronation Cathedral as all of the kings of France (except 2) were coronated here. Magnificent.
Middle: Some of the very beautiful stained glass in the Reims Cathedral.
Bottom: A "cave" at Tattinger Champagne Winery. Each "cave" holds 70,000 bottles of champagne. I got to sample some - yum - good!
A very, very busy and long day!
I woke up at 5:45 am! It seems that it gets dark at 11 pm and light before 6 am. A short night. I had to get up early today to get my train to Reims, France - only a 45 minute train ride almost directly east of Paris on the TGV - the French fast train.
I went to the Executive Lounge at 6:30 when it opened for breakfast. They do a good job there and what a deal - it's free for me!
Left the hotel about 7:30 to make sure I was able to get my tickets at the Gare de L'est. Took the Metro to Gare du Nord and walked the 2 blocks to the Gard de L'est. Checked my trains on the ticket machines for the schedule and wrote it down. But the machines won't issue my tickets as US credit cards don't have a "chip" that is required in France. So I have to go to the ticket office. Of course I found out that they don't open until 8 am (wouldn't you know!).
Had a pain au raisins from the station patisserie while I was waiting for the ticket office to open. Got in line and gave the attendant my paper with my trains written down. I actually did most of the transaction in French - proud of me! Then she asked for my ID for my credit card - which of course I didn't have. No passport and no drivers license - "Merde"! So I changed from 1st class to 2nd class and used my euros to pay for the ticket to Reims.
They only post the trains 20 minutes before departure which is aggravating for someone like me who wants to be there early and make sure I'm in the right place. Nevertheless, it worked out fine. At 8:40 they posted the gate for the train and I went right on for the 8:57 departure. Found my reserved seat on the car to which I was assigned and at the stroke (literally) of 8:57 the train started its journey. A short 45 minute train ride.
Not too much to see and it was very cloudy on the ride to Reims so I snoozed. It had been a short night. Reims is in the middle of the Champagne Region of France. I had never visited here before so this will be a great new experience for me.
The TGV arrived right on time in Reims. It was a beautiful walk into the middle of town. Clean, fresh, beautiful. In the distance I can see the spires of the cathedral Notre Dame. So I head there. I put my iPod on and started listening to English Choral music as I walked through the city. A beautiful piece was playing as I approached the cathedral - and my thoughts were "Oh my god!". It is magnificent. Some of the outsidde has been restored but most is dirty with years of grim and dirt. A constant project keeping a structure such as this pristine.
Went inside and sat for a while just taking it all in. There is new stained glass that has been installed in some of the windows. The John D. Rockafella Foundation paid for some but Al tells me that Germany sponsored some of the windows - as guess as reparations many years later for the damage they caused during WWII. Beautiful colors and each window tells a story.
I sat for a while and someone started playing an organ - not the big organ unfortunately - but it was beautiful. There were many signs up and on the back of each I discovered there was an English translation so I learned a lot about the windows and the cathedral. It was the site of the baptism of Clovis in the mid
1000's. Every King of France since then was coronated at this cathedral (except for 2 kings and I don't remember which they were). So it is known as The Coronation Cathedral - the Westminster Abbey of France!
A truly stunning structure - very enjoyable. Took a walk around and looked at some of the other interesting structure in Reims. Then headed to the champagne "maisons". It was a bit of a hike but I made it to Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin. Unfortunately, when I got there I found out that they only do tours "by prior appointment". So I went to Tattinger and got on an English tour that had just started. A great visit. We were like 4-5 stories under ground - in the "caves". Each "cave" holds 70,000 bottles of champagne and many were full. And this isn't their only place of business. Beautiful tour of "the underground". They make Methusula bottles of champagne, but only make Nebukanesar bottles on special orders (that's the one Tim had in China several years ago!).
A fun tour - and we got a complimentary glass of Tattinger champange at the end. I met a couple from Wisconsin who were nice and engaging. They are supporting the recall of their governor - and I asked them for help in recalling the Florida governor who is cutting services and funds for education. What's going on in our country? But enough of that.
Headed outside and it was about 1 pm and threatening rain. I walked about 15 minutes back into Reims Centre - and low and behold it started raining. So I got back to the cathedral and found Le Cardinal Restaurant and a table for one outside under an umbrella overlooking the cathedral. Beautiful. Had a great 2 hour late lunch. Very filling.
The man at the next table to me was a riot. He was Dutch and talking out loud to a table of 5 Dutch people at the next table. He asked me to help him with his English and he ended up calling me "ma professeur d'anglais"! He switched works in conversation between Flemish, French, and English and I had a hard time keeping up at times - "Quoi?" (What?). Then he would explain in English or use other words. Actually we had a few interchanges in French so my French hasn't been too bad this trip. I feel more confident with it - plus - who cares if you make a mistake?
Lunch was delicious and filling. It was 3:30 when I finished. I bid my next-table-mate adieu (Au revoir) and headed back through town to the train station. Went by the Hotel de Ville - beautiful. Easy walk back to the station. The train was right on time and again only a 45 minute direct route to Gare de L'est in Paris. Took the "6" train and then the "5" train to get back directly in front of the hotel.
Went to the Executive Lounge and had white wine and relaxed for a while. Ended up having a vegetable plate and bread and cheese with my wine about 7 pm. That was my dinner tonight - not hungry plus I'm pooped.
Got back to the room at 8 and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Am pulling the black out curtains tonight and plan to sleep in tomorrow. Nothing planned except lunch with Al Stewart. My last day in Paris. Gosh, I love this city. May stop by a real estate office and inquire about a rental tomorrow????
Bon Soir!
Day 38 - Wednesday June 15, 2011 - Paris, France
Top: Cimetiere du Montparnasse. Very large tombs and some very famous people buried here including Guy du Maupassant and Jean Paul Sartre.
Middle: The Palais du Luxembourg - where the French Senat is located.
Bottom: The beautiful colored glass dome at the Brasserie Printemps in Paris. Lunch there was delicious.
Ah Paris!!!! I don't know what it is about this city that I love so.
I woke up at 2 am to see an almost full moon rising over the city. It peaked through the clouds and woke me up - it was magnificent.
Slept until 6:45 - went to the Executive Lounge for much-needed coffee and breakfast. Piddled around for a short while and then headed out to explore the 14th arrondisement where I'm staying. I have never explored here.
First stop was the Cimetiere du Montparnasse, near the tall Montparnasse Tower. Not as elaborate as the Cimetiere Per la Chaise but interesting. Many notables buried here including Guy de Maupassant and Jean Paul Sartre.
Then I took a stroll by the Observatoire de Paris, never had been there. Interesting building. On the way I passed a "patisserie" and just had to stop for one of the best "pain aux raisins" that I've ever had - it was so good.
Then I walked a short ways to the Jardin du Luxembourg and the Palais du Luxembourg. Many people sitting around the beautiful grounds. I went to the Orangerie (never had been there before) and they had a contemporary art exhibit that was really interesting. Spent some time there enjoying the unusual art.
Headed back by the Senat Building (part of the Palais du Luxembourg) and on the way stopped to watch a group of people doing tai chi - love that.
Then I used my subway pass to get across town to the 9th arrondisement near the Opera House. Took me 3 trains to get there. I went to Galeries Lafayette for lunch in their large restaurant that is under a huge multi-colored glass dome - only to realize that the multi-colored dome at Galeries Lafayette is in their main lobby - not their restaurant. I remembered the domed restaurant was at Printemps - next door - so I headed there.
I got a table under the dome - friendly service and delicious food. I had the best cold tomato soup I've ever had. Delicious ham and melon with a carafe of wine. Yummy!
Then took the train to Gare de Nord to find out about trains to Reims. I stopped at the Information Center and she thought I was saying "Rome". I finally wrote it down and she laughed and pronounced it for me - didn't sound like Reims to me. Nevertheless, I found out that the trains leave from the Gare de L'est. So I went there and used a ticket machine to get the schedules. A TGV (fast train) leaves a little before 9 am tomorrow and will return at 5:15. Since it is a direct fast train it is only 45 minutes to get there. So that is my Thursday in France - a visit to Reims (not Rome!). Excited about that.
Took 2 more trains to get back to the Marriott. Went to the lounge to get something cold to drink. By then it was almost 5 pm so I took a disco nap, showered, dressed and headed out again to visit Al Stewart in the Marais. Drinks at Al's flat and dinner at Les Trois Petit Cochons (The Three Little Pigs). I think I've had dinner there before and it should be excellent.
Stopped for a glass of wine in the lounge and left the hotel at 6 pm. I ended up going to Les Halles where there is a lot of construction started to update the structure - much needed change. Arrived at Al's about 6:45 and we had cocktails and enjoyed catching up. He's leaving Paris on Tuesday to return to Ft Lauderdale. We left about 8:15 and walked to Les Trois Petit Cochons - I hadn't been there before but it was wonderful. Only had 2 courses which filled me up and then coffee. Good. They served cherries in vodka at the end that were wonderful.
We walked around the area for a while but by the time we finished it was after 11 pm. I wanted to be sure I got a train back to the Marriott so we walked to Les Halles and I bid Al a good night and got my train back to the hotel. In bed by midnight so I can get some sleep before my adventure to Reims tomorrow.
Day 37 - Tuesday June 14, 2011 - Geneva, Switzerland to Paris, France
Picture: One of the many upright pianos on the streets of Geneva, Switzerland. These are in preparation for La Fete de Musique which is celebrated all over France and Switzerland on June 21 (longest day of the year) each year. Everyone comes out in the streets and plays all kinds of music - all over the entire country. FUN!
Today I fly on flights 13 and 14 of my around-the-world trip. I fly on Swiss Air from Geneva to Zurich which is only 143 miles, and then take another Swiss Air flight for the 297 miles to Paris, France - Charles de Gaulle Airport.
I woke up about 6:30 thanks to the garbage pickup in Geneva. Boy were they loud! Had breakfast in the restaurant and then finished packing. A quick last walk around Geneva - many good memories here from the mid 1990's.
Checked out of the hotel and headed the 2 blocks to the Central Train Station. An easy walk. Got a train to the airport within 10 minutes and checked in. Since my connection in Zurich is so short, the agent suggested that I leave on the earlier flight so I'd have more connection time. That was fine with me as I either have to wait here or there!
Went to the business lounge and relaxed and actually had a snack for lunch. Still not very hungry after that big meal at Restaurant des Armures yesterday!
We loaded on the Swiss Air plane about 1:30 and left at 2. While it was only a 30 minute flight, the flight attendants served us lunch up front! Amazing the service they offer in Europe versus what we receive in the US.
Beautiful scenery of the mountains and lakes flying over. Got to Zurich on time and went to the Lounge for a drink and to wait for the flight to Paris. Plane was late getting in but they loaded up quickly and we were off to Paris. Yet another meal served on a short trip!
Arrival in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport was uneventful. Luggage came up - changed my remaining Swiss francs to euros and went to the RER train. Shuttle to the RER train station - bought a 5 day pass (like $75), and the train arrived within 4 minutes. Surprisingly, the train wasn't the crowded, which always concerns me here when I have my luggage on the subway.
The RER took me all of the way to Renfert-Rochereau station and it is a 2 1/2 block walk to the Marriott Paris Rive-Gauche Hotel. Nice place. I'm a Gold Marriott member so they put me on the top floor with access privileges to the Executive Lounge and free internet. What a deal - especially since the room cost me nothing since I used Marriott points for the entire stay.
I was really tired but went to the Executive Lounge for free wine and used the internet. Talk about frustrating. The french keyboard is different than in the US. And the German and Swiss is different yet again. You have to "shift" in France to get the numbers and the "a", "m", "w", "comma", "period", and other key items are all in different places. Talk about frustrating. I caught up on email but went to the front desk and established my free connection so now I'm using MY computer where all of the keys are where they should be!!!!
Called Tim on Skype for 20 minutes - good to catch up since the internet connection from Switzerland was so poor.
It stayed light in Paris until after 10:30 - I'm further north yet and it is almost June 21!
Off to bed - with great expectations for a good day exploring more of Paris on Wednesday.
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