Date: Wednesday May 11, 2016
Subject: Je Parle Francais ... un petit peu.
Hi family,
Prior to entering each country, Anja gives a short lesson on useful words ; we’ve learned please, thank you, hello, goodbye, buddy, etc. in Dutch, German, Italian and French. Both she and Joey speak many languages, and frequently after the lessons, Joey reverts to the language of the new country. He was telling Anja a joke en français ... and I started to laugh. Il était surprise!!
Our first stop was to a pharmacy ... several of us were coming down with ‘mal á la gorge’,. We have a couple pharmacists in our group so we used a combination of English & my limited French to explain the problem and to get some appropriate over-the-counter meds.
Dans un magazine, j’ai acheté un joli chandail avec des oiseaux pour Charlotte. I had to ask the clerks to speak ‘lentement’ so I could understand. The accent on many words is a little different than the Quebec French I am used to.
On and off rain again, lots of places to see and I am becoming overwhelmed with so many possible architectural sites and buildings that would make awesome art quilts ... The buildings in France are so different than the previous countries.
Again, I am sleeping on a top floor ... more stairs, but I am finding the top rooms have the best views. The picture is my bedroom under the eaves. And frequently climbing so many stairs to my bedroom makes me glad I have packed lightly and am using a backpack.
Soon we head for Paris. Almost time to go home. Unfortunately it is raining today, but no one is complaining ... after all, we have all practiced the "No Grumps" rule . Hope it clears up soon.
Love Mom / H
"Je Parle Francais ... un Petit Peu"
France
Date: Friday, May 13, 2016
Subject: Paris
Perhaps the last email,
Good Evening Family,
There is a disadvantage to knowing some French but not quite enough. We took the subway to the Louvre but while waiting for our connection which seemed to be taking forever, a garbled voice came over the speaker system about a train arrete et une valise. It sounded like someone had lost something or left something behind; the voice was relatively calm and most people continued to stand and wait for the subway. A woman behind me finally filled in the words for me ... a bag had been left and the French version of a bomb squad was on its way. Right about this time, Anja decided we should all leave the subway and walk to the Louvre! I prefer being outside ... much more to see.
I attempted to get close to the Mona Lisa but she is a rather small painting with a lot of visitors and good security. There are several other paintings in the room by Paolo Caliari Vernonese which are just as beautiful. Why should the Mona Lisa get all the attention? ... I left in pursuit of lesser known artists who have just as much flare for painting. In the end, the crowds and echoing noise were a bit much and I headed out ... wandering the streets and parks in the general direction of our hotel.
This evening we are off to the Eiffel Tower; I think several people had reserved tickets to go up earlier today, but I am running a little low on funds; walking is cheap and today it was much calmer (other than the subway scare). There was a protest here yesterday one subway stop away from us. Lots of police around!!!
--- Mom / Heather
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2016 8:44 AM
Subject: Charles de Gaulle airport
Hi girls
I followed your instructions and have managed to get my boarding pass early and even remembered how to do a screen shot to access it easier when I board.
I took a cab to the airport with 2 other tour members whose plane leaves around the same time, although they were dropped off at another terminal. We passed the Arc de Triomphe on our way ... but I barely had time to notice it or take a picture because drivers were circling it and driving off in all directions. There are no proper lanes like normal round-abouts. I looked out my window and saw the bumper of a car just miss the door ... I shifted a little more to the centre of the seat. They are crazy!!
Anja gave us a final little gift to remember our trip ... everyone got a miniature Eiffel Tower. It has been a good trip ... I am sorry to see it end but am really looking forward to sleeping in my own bed.
I wonder if I’ll meet any of these people again on another RS trip ... I am definitely going to go on another one. I'll have to take a look at what else is available at Rick Steves European Tours.
Mom
Beaune
Dome des Invalides, Paris
Notre Dame, Paris
La Seine
par Vernonese
La Grande Roue
Eiffel Tower
We’ve made it to Paris ... crowded and busy like any big city, but this one has so much character.
Our first stop, after our regular orientation walk upon arriving, was to see Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter. Skies were grey again and while waiting in line, we got wet. The Latin Quarter was nothing like I expected or have seen in old movies; it seems to have become a bit trendy, kind of like Yorkville in Toronto.
ma chambre
Hotel Dieu de Beaune
Good bye my friends!
Auf Wiedersehen meine Freunde! Arrivederci amici miei! Au revoir mes amis!
