This summer’s “Been there, done that”

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That was a close call…

Due to fear against potential terrorist attacks, I will be forgoing the February trip to India.

I was really looking forward to it too! ;(

Looking ahead to India!

Looks like I might be headed out to Pune (pronounced Poo-na), India!

I’m very excited and nervous about travelling. each time I’m destined for some far country I get anxious about the transit. hopefully reaching Mumbai will be smooth. surviving the three hour trek to Pune by taxi will prove to be the hardest part.

A look back at Paris 3 months later

A few days ago, I was reading the Haus Maus blog and she posted a question about what fun things there are to do in Paris besides those that a regular tourist might do. (Long run-on sentences may or may not be edited after a proof read on a real computer.)

I began to reminisce about the trip. It lasted two short days and nights, but it definitely was fun! “Paris for Seniors” I had a blast! Picking through bins of vintage buttons and letter press blocks, having chocolat chaud and a sandwich in a warm bakery after feeling frozen to the bone (at this same pasteserie, there was an American family that mistook me for a Parisian! Haha.. what a good joke! I secretly felt really flattered.) and seeing La Grand (it really is grand). I wouldn’t have done it any other way!

Well, to be honest, it was pretty lonely having dinner on one’s own (is that expression used anymore?). The rush-rush getting to and from places could have been more enjoyable with Ken. now, I think no one would put up with my agenda like he would. Even my sisters would find me irritating for dragging them from one department store to another, and watching me agonize about purchasing pillow shams for 50€ (Don’t judge me, please! I wanted something from Paris for my bedroom!) Ken might find it boring, but he’d let me do it for a little bit. ;D

Food-wise, was I satisfied? Definitely! I had Leon’s mussels dinner combo, a chocolate street crepe, a fresh baguette (after carrying it around town for half the day… mm-mmm! still fresh! ). I even had dinner a touristy French bistro and watched Parisians sit at the patio tables to partake in a flask of wine, cigarettes and animated conversation.

I had enough of a taste of Paris for now, and I have definitely left a lot more to do on my next trip there.

Je suis arrivee (french sp.)

My first experience of the Airport in Libreville did not prepare me for the experience of having to use that airport for a departure. Imagine all of the country’s international flights leaving out of one airport. Then imagine this airport only has one terminal and one boarding dock. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they have one xray security portal. So no matter how wily you were to check in quickly (6 kiosks), nor how carefully you chose your immigration officer (3 lines), you are stuck in line after everyone else, and they have arrived 3 hours prior to departure. You have idled away your pre boarding time outside at the dirty bar. Oh and the Air Gabon people have no qualms helping their customers cut in line before other airlines. It is very hard to keep your cool.

Did I mention this is a post about Paris? Sorry to rant. The red eye flight to Paris was bad. I sat next to a guy wiG he sniffles and I was really paranoid not to catch his germs. I didn’t sleep the whole night and arrived in Paris very groggy.

But there is no time to waste! First thing was to catch a Rossybus downtown to the Opera. I was relying on my good sense of direction to get me to the hotel. As I had nothing noted down on paper/my phone and dragging my laptop out of my luggage was going to be an ordeal.

I arrived at the Opera without a hitch. I had to walk around the building to gain access o the metro ticket station. (Clutsy moment of the day: trying to pull full sized luggage through the turnstile. A gentleman tried to help me but I had to do all the heavy lifting. Afterwards, he pointed to a swinging door and said, “next time, use those doors. It will be easier.” Oh.)

I am staying at the hotel Bons Enfants by the Louvre. Upon surfacing to the street level the first thing that struck me was that this plaza (outside the Louvre) looked familiar. Of course! I had seen it on my walk around the neighborhood of the hotel using Google maps street view! I just retraced my path using my memory and Voila! arrived at the hotel. I owe much to Google street view. ;D