Post Paris Test

Tom with an old wooden clock

Winged Victory

A Sphynx

Moulin Rouge

Winter Program 2012/2013

Kerry and I are happy to report that we will be returning to Macgregor for the winter again on site 44. We are looking forward to meeting both old friends and make new acquaintances. We will be holding the coffee and goodies party in April again so mark your calendars. Kerry and I are also looking for some help in organizing the welcome potluck dinner as well.

Day 22 Home sweet home

Hi all. I can't begin to tell you all just how good it feels to be back home. We had a lovely flight home on Air Canada today leaving Paris at 1100hrs local time and we arrived in Toronto at 1325 hrs. Yes we were a day late but in the long run it was probably safer for Kerry to fly as she did. As a medical patient on a flight home we received the royal treatment. Met at the airport terminal by an airport rep who ushered us around from station to station jumping in front of lines and then ushered to the first class lounge to wait for the flight. About half an hour before the flight another rep showd up with a wheel chair and pushed us right to the plane again past all the lines and almost right to out first class seats, which turned into beds. Kerry slept the whole way home except for a fabulous meal served on china with real silverware. Then she went back to sleep for the rest of the flight. All in all we had a great time on our travels and even the last 5 days in Paris although were very stressful for us we met some really nice people and enjoyed everything we could. Now back to camping and fishing and golf.

Day 18 Just a perfect end to our time in Paris

Today was to be our third of 6 days in Paris. It started off well then went downhill rapidly. Despite our best efforts we became lost many times while trying to find our way around. We don't know if it's us or the maps. Probably us though. Next up we lost our transit pass and we were able to replace it but that was our 2nd strike so we returned home and prepared for our dinner at the Eiffel Tower. On our way out of the apartment Kerry fell down some stairs and broke her left leg. We spent several hours in ER then home by taxi after sightseeing around Paris trying to find a pharmacy that was open on a holiday day so we could buy the meds, crutches (believe it or not) and a zimmer splint. Now we are waiting for the insurance company to arrange our flight home. This time in Paris has really opened my eyes to traveling in a foreign country and not being able to communicate with the local people. I know now what others have felt in Canada when traveling to us. This will be my last post until we are home.

Day 17 Paris and the Louvre

Day 2 in Paris found us walking to the Eiffel Tower from our apartment and then off to the Louvre on foot. This proved to be a big mistake as it took us nearly 2hrs to get there and we were already tired. If you have ever been there you know it is massive. We arrived at 1100 and left at 6 and still need to go back again to see the main things we missed and really wanted to see. We really should have taken the bus there but live and learn. We have decided to go some where else tomorrow, I think Montmartre. We also have a wine tasting at three and dinner at the Eiffel tower at 1830 hrs. On a positive note we were only approached by two pickpockets but escaped unscathed thanks to a local who clued us in to the first type. Two young girls and ask you for a signature to support the poor children and as for a donation. If you give it to them then they try to relieve you of other things. We have decided that anyone who approaches us is probably a pickpocket so we are just going to tell them all to SOD off.

Entrance to the Louvre. Thank goodness we have our paris pass.

Of course we had to see the Mona Lisa.

Day 16 Off to Paris we go.

Today we left the ship and flew to Paris arriving at 1230hrs. Paris shuttle picked us up and delivered us to our home in Paris. The apartment is a typical small walk up in Paris. It is about 800 square feet. We spent most of the afternoon shopping for groceries for the week and doing some laundry.

Day 14 Budapest

This is our last port of call. We arrived in Budapest late on thursday night just around the time we were off to bed. On Friday we took the guided hike again in the morning followed by lunch and then we set out on our own for the afternoon taking a very long and well needed walk to an indoor market of food and souvenirs. Most of the guided walks we have taken have been slow and deliberate as there have been several handicapped people on these walks and they tend to slow you down a bit. Of note today was the memorial to the Jewish people that were executed at the edge of the Danube in mid winter. They were required to remove their shoes before being shot and falling in the river to die. Tomorrow we leave the ship at 0730 hrs and take a shuttle to the airport to fly to Paris.

Please forgive the upside down plague but the sun was behind me when i took the photo causing shadows. The sign reads 'to the victims that were shot by arrow cross militiamen 1944-45