Day 6

And this is not quite a QWERTY keypad. So excuse the odd spelling: Shortly bqck to the Eiffel Tozer: Went lqst nite but it was cold qnd windy: So we did not go up: but at 10pm it lit up with spqrkly blinking lights: Totally worth standing in the drizzle:

Walking sooooooooooooooooooooooo much. Over 5 miles a day: And that is taking all the shortest possible routes and all the Metro and busses we can:

oh yes i have gone to paris with inspector Clouseau, from the pink pqnther. john is speaking French even though he doesnt really know any:

Rae

(John) Hey! I speak beautiful francais! I have ALL the French women in stiches! (I keep wondering what they're laughing at!) Yes, the Eiffel Tower was spectacular last night as the bulbs flashed all over it for ten minutes or more! Fabulous. Today, Notre Dame. That was completely amazing and beautiful! We left prayers for Aunt Jaquie's upcoming surgery and for Rae's mother in a large book by the altar! We also did the Museum of Judaism which also had an exhibition of Rembrandts. (I'm getting so cultured no one will recognize me!) We also explored the neighborhood here and it contains all the prototypical French stores and shops. And oh, I've been ordering coffee and getting these tiny cups half filled. In this shopping district there is a Starbucks! This morning I ordered a coffee as big as my head! Now that's what I'm talking about! And I've become somewhat of a train expert...at least comfortable going underground anyway! Time to go. Heading to the Tour Eiffel and going up! John

We are here

(John) This is a funny keyboard. Keep hitting the wrong keys. Anyway, we arrived safe and mostly sound. Took a little while getting acclimated to the train but arrived at the hotel around 9:30pm Sunday night. It was quite a sight seeing the Eifel Tower for the first time. Made Rae smile I can tell you. CRAP! These keyboard keys are just enough out of place to screw a non-typist up severely. The hotel is nice with an elevator big enough for only two. We've dined on the street a few times already and today went to the Pompidou Art Center. The building itself is a work of art. Took the bus back. decided that we could see a lot more above ground than in the metro below. The chunnel train was fun. Traveling at around 100-125 mph and zith other trains flying by in the opposite direction...it was quite fun. Actually, the countryside looks remarkably like WI or IA with crops in the early stages of spring growth.

Been a bit rainy but heh, what can you do but raise the umbrella and a glass of wine! Coke for me! By for now...all is well at 9:20pm Monday. Love to all

John (and Rae)

Day 4, May 27, 2007

It is raining and John caught a cold. He slept 11 hours. So it is noon, we have done our laundry and are repacking for Paris. Matt is going to stay here and catch up on sleep. Next we get some lunch and head for I think Waterloo. Last night we went to the Tate Modern. It was great fun. Love modern art. It was rainy then too. We are hoping it will not be raining in Paris.

It is interesting how much more you notice rain when you don't have a car.

Must run, off to get some lunch.

There will be no pictures while we are in Paris. Now I am using Matt's computer. I have no idea how I will get online from there.

Day 1, May 24, 2007

It's early. Awake at 4AM in hopes of adjusting our body clocks a little. We will have a cab pick us up about 7. And then the traveling begins. We fly Eau Claire, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, London. We leave the house about 7AM, and arrive in London tomorrow about 7AM. Of course that is London time which is 6 hours ahead of Eau Claire time. And we are traveling light. We are sharing that blue suitcase and each have a backpack. As I packed my little backpack which include mostly things to do - a book, magazines, sox to knit, cameras, drawing supplies etc. I thought of being very little and going to Grandma's on Sunday. We were each to pack our Kabootle Kit with things to do so we would not be bored. Old habits die hard. (Our Kabootle Kits were tiny, boxy, suitcasey things that said Kabootle Kit on them - 3 little girls, 3 Kabootle Kits.)

And we are off!

Monday, May 14, 2007

I can't believe I have a blog. I am not a blogger. I am not a writer. I kind of try to avoid blogs even though there are many I do enjoy. I have such a virtual life and spend so much time living in my head that a blog addiction would mean even more time connected to my computer.

But I am getting us ready for John and Rae's Excellent Adventure as John is calling it. And Ann suggested a blog. And since I wanted Jane and Steve to do one or send one little email while they are in India I am doing this for family and select friends.

My hope is to put up a little update each day. We will be gone 12 days, 5 in London and 5 in Paris 2 travel days. Our ability to update will have to do with where and when we can log on as I am not taking my computer. But if you don't see an entry don't be alarmed since we are new to this and it may not work as well as I hope. I'll try to add photos if I can.

And this trip is for our 20th Anniversary. In July we will be married 20 years and in August we will have been together 25. And since Matt is living in London that made it all the better.

And I got this fun little panoramic camera for the trip. http://tinyurl.com/ytcjxv So possibly after we get back there may be more photos posted. I have a thing for little plastic cameras.

Check back after the 24th!