Sitting on the Eurostar!

We are sitting on the Eurostar getting ready to head back to France for one last night in Paris! We will soon be back in the Good Ole USA!

Photos of Day 4 & 5

In a previous post I talked about the Volcanoes that were to one side of the valley, if you look at the top left and center of the photo you can see two of them. Kind of in the center the white stone wall is pock marked with cave openings.

I also mentioned the snow capped mountain peaks to the opposite side of the valley and here they are. Also in the lower right of the photo you can see one of many steeples that are visible in the valley as well as plots of land separated by hedge rows.

Now to the reason that we took this trip in the first place! Anne-lise and Nehemie exchanging their rings. Nehemie goes first.

Now it's Anne-lise's turn.

Then of course they get to kiss!

Too many cameras, no one knows where to look!

The happy couple!

Most of Anne-lise's family is present for this photo, one of her brothers is not here.

The Blemmings our gracious hosts while we were in Clermont-Ferrand.

The happy couple are not yet parents, this is their niece!

Candles that decorated the tables at the reception. The say something in French but don't ask me what.

They arrive, now the party can get started! We stayed at the reception until 2:00 a.m. and it was still going strong when we left. They literally celebrate all night long after a wedding.

This Is What My Wonderful Daughter Thinks About My Blogging Abbilities!

OK, a few notes about your last couple of posts on the blog. First, I told you patte was liver! If you want pork you have to order either porc (pronounced por) or jambon. Second I think Mommy should write more posts because honestly, her penmanship is better than Daddy's. Trust me, I'm almost an expert in English grammar. Thirdly and finally, just a note for Daddy, the earth hasn't been here for 35,000 years, creationist believe it is only about 6000 years old. Anyway, those are just some things I thought of while reading your blog. I love reading it too It is really fun to see what you are up to and I also hope you make it to the Eiffel Tower at least once. Right about now you guys should be at the wedding. Have fun and enjoy the great food and stuff. I love you!

Taylor
P.S. I'm glad you got to eat a real French supper with your host family. I love all the different courses.

So there you have my daughter thinks I can't write but I will write to defy her and she can just laugh all she wants.

I Love you too Taylor,

- G 

Ireland is Beautiful & Wet!

Well our Internet connection was never very good while we were in Ireland so I wasn't really able to update the blog. Now that we are in England I hope to make time to get caught up. I will try to get some photos from the wedding and then from Ireland up soon hopefully later today before you Americans get out of bed! I will explain my post title soon, I don't have my glasses at the moment so I am having trouble writing this post.

- G

The Reason We Came To France!

Day 5 is the day that brought us on our European Adventure. Anne-lise and Nehemie's wedding day. The day started out leisurely, we got up had breakfast and great conversation with our hosts (who are wonderful). Then we went into Clerrmont-Ferrand to see about getting an earlier train to Lyon for Monday, the tickets that I purchased were not allowing any time for hiccups or mistakes so I wanted to see if we could get an earlier train. We were fortunate that I had purchased tickets that could be used on any train that day so we are fine we can go to whichever train that is going to Lyon on that day and go. After learning this bit of good news we took a ride up to a look out point and surveyed the valley where we are staying. It is really quite beautiful here with the rolling hills, small villages with church steeples and tower ruins dot the landscape. Plots of land are all marked by hedgerows and volcanoes lie in the distance to one side while snow capped mountain peaks are seen in the distance on the opposite side, it is very picturesque to say the least. After this we took lunch on the veranda while sipping red and white wine from crystal goblets, while nibbling on bread and cheeses. Well not really we did take lunch but it wasn't on a veranda though we did have the wine and cheese with bread and it was in crystal goblets but we were in the dining room not on a veranda. It does sound more romanic the other way but it has been a wonderful experience none the less. After lunch we dressed for the wedding and went out. We couldn't wait to see her, I knew she would be beautiful in her gown and I was not disappointed. It took her a while to spot us in the audience but at one point during the ceremony she spotted us and gave us each a little wave. She was smiling so big throughout the entire ceremony I didn't think she would have any smiles left for her pictures but of course she did. We left for the wedding at 2:00 p.m. and arrived home at 2:00 a.m. and we didn't stay for the entire reception it was still going strong when we left. It was so much fun seeing Anne-lise and getting to meet Nehemie. Who we are told by many that he is a very Godly young man. We are so proud of Anne-lise and couldn't be happier for her, Kelly cried and I am about to as I type this post. I was able to meet many of Anne-lise's family, her mother and all three brothers as well as many of her aunts, uncles and cousins. All of whom were very friendly and each tried to speak with me in English. Some were better than others but all tried. We so wish we spoke French so that we could have had more conversations but we enjoyed getting to meet and talk to them anyway. This to me was the best day of the trip so far, I am so glad that God provided us with the opportunity to take this trip. Pictures of the day will come in the next post so keep looking if you don't already see the photos.

- G

Photos of Day 2 and 3

Chateau Versailles from the road, we got here late so we decided to just look at it from the outside rather than to pay the 20 Euros each to see only part of the interior.

A view from the back of the Chateau it is quite large. Behind me is the massive gardens which includes a large canal and many mazes of gardens.

The Eiffel Tower is having some renovations done and it isn't quite the best photo opportunity at this time. If you get far enough away you don't notice it so much.

In this photo you can see a couple of buses, these are the type of buses that we spent  a lot of time on on day 2 when we were trying to get back from Notre Dame.

A view of Notre Dame from the river, it is truly a beautiful piece of architecture!

Say Cheese!

Walking around Paris I love this city. Hey who is that handsome guy?

Wow what a beautiful view! I love this woman, doesn't she add to the beauty of Paris!

Say Cheese! So Cheesy!

What happened to that beautiful lady?

My favorite part of the trip so far was going to see the Arch de Triumph! I had wanted to see this for a long time. We paid 15 Euro each to go inside but K didn't really want to after we started up the steps she really didn't want to go. After we finally reached the top she was very happy with our decision. The view from the top is amazing.

A trip through a tunnel under the round a bout that circles the Arch de Triumph.

More will come later,

- G

Thoughts and Impressions Day 4 by G

OK I will have to apologize for the lack of posts by K but I just can't seem to get her to write them. She seems to be worried that she won't do good enough and that people will judge her on her penmanship. I will work on her and try to get some more posts out of her. I have to be honest it is difficult even for me to make the time to get out the posts that I have done and I want to do them, so it isn't just that she doesn't want to but time on the internet is limited or has been lately anyway. I think we will have a good connection through Sunday after that I think it will be difficult again for a few days. So I will try to get as many posts out as possible this weekend.

Day 4 was another day of traveling, we woke today and had to pack up all of out stuff and leave the room so that they could get in and clean. We went to buy some postage stamps to find out that we may not have put enough stamps on the last 4 post cards we mailed. So sorry to each of my kids if you don't receive a post card from us any time soon we tried. We will try to get more out this weekend. Then off to breakfast an egg and chicken sandwich for K and a ham and swiss sandwich for G. Yes that is a traditional breakfast item in France. I still prefer my donuts but will be OK with a sandwich. We could see that the Eiffel Tower was open today but we didn't have time to go up so we hope to be able to up on the 27th, if time allows. After Breakfast back to the hotel to catch a taxi to the train station. We had a good taxi driver very friendly and he spoke very good English. Arrived at the station with an hour to spare. We finished our breakfast in the station, I used my down time to write the last two posts that I made and Kelly read her book I think. Found our train with no trouble got on and had great seats and made it to Clermont-Ferrand without any problems. Were picked up shortly by our hosts and driven to their home in the Volcano area of France and to their home. Don't worry the Volcano's have been dormant for 35,000 years I think we will be OK. The Blemmings are a wonderful christian family who have been very kind and generous to us we couldn't ask for better hosts. Had a 5 course dinner that started with Kir (white wine mixed with black current) and cheeses, olives, vegetable chips and cream cheese rolls. Next some kind of Salmon and cheese dish with Shrimp and greens with white wine. Then Chicken, rice and gravy with red wine. Next a plate of cheeses with bread and red wine. Finally a desert plate with 3 fine deserts and water. All topped of with tea and coffee. I don't see how the French can eat so much and stay so thin. After some wonderful conversation we all went off to bed, well not me obviously I am still working on this post. If I can be quiet enough I will try to get another one out before I go to sleep.

Until tomorrow,

- G

Thoughts and Impressions Day 3 by G

Today started out and ended much better than the other two days. We were rested and we were ready to check out the city. First breakfast at a boulangerie (not sure of the spelling) a bakery for you English speaking people. Had a delicious something with cream in the center. Then onto the Eiffel tower, which was still closed. So we decided to walk for a bit and get to a place where we could see the entire tower and photograph it. What to do now? This proved a big decision, we finally decided on Chateau Versailles, now how to get there the bus or the metro. I really like the metro so I chose it and we went into the underground maze once again. This time we stopped and asked for directions, after that we still were not sure which train to get on so we decided to go to the Louvre. We overheard someone ask how to go there and it sounded much easier. We never made it to the Louvre. After a few minutes on the train and a good study of the map I realized we were very close to the Arch de Triumph. I have wanted to see this for a long time so we decided to go there before the Louvre. We thought it was neat but we were not sure about paying 15 Euro to go inside of it but I really wanted to so we decide to go anyway. Many steps up to the top but we finally made it. Kelly was out of breath so we relaxed on a bench before looking around. Not much to see but I found another stairway that lead further up so up we went even though Kelly didn’t want to go. On this level we found a gift shop, after looking around there we were about to leave when I remembered another doorway and I decided to see what it was. Too our surprise it was more steps up so up we went and this was the best part, it took us to the top and we were outside walking around on top of the Arch. We had an awesome view of Paris and we were glad that we found the steps to the top. It made the 15 Euro well worth it. After spending a while looking around at the views of the city we headed back down to make our way to our next destination. We were still heading to the Louvre but we decided to walk a bit through the famous shopping district L’avenue des Champs-Élysées. We saw a store named after Morgan, had lunch at the Pom de Pain that Taylor and I ate at when were here, this time we ate outside like the French do. Walked closer to the Louvre before deciding to take a train to Chateau Versailles. While on the train we were asked to show our tickets and found out that our day pass was not good for where we were going. OOPS 30 Euro per person fine for a 3 Euro ticket! Lucky for us the guy only charged us the 3 Euros per ticket and explained to us that we would need to get the proper ticket to get back. Made it to Versailles but opted not to go inside but just walk around the outside and see the gardens. Not much to see when it is mostly covered in snow but still was able to see a part of France I had never been to before now. Coming back we were not sure what train to get on and once we found the train we were not sure what stop to get off. Decided to get off at the Eiffel Tower stop since we could walk to the hotel from the tower. The Eiffel Tower was open but only to the second level and the line was at least 2 hours long so we opted not to go up, instead we decided to have dinner. Found a restaurant and bar and ordered French Onion soup, vegetable soup and grilled ham and cheese and got what we ordered. It was all very good once again, after dinner we headed back to the hotel for some much needed rest. More tomorrow.

- G

Thoughts and Impressions Day 2 by G

Day 1 and day 2 all seem to run together. When we left Dayton it was Tuesday and when we arrived in France it was Wednesday. So actually the trip to the hotel that I talked about in yesterdays post was the beginning if day 2. It is cold and wet here, not raining but with all the snow melting and dripping from the buildings it feels like it is raining. We went to the Eiffel Tower to find that because of the ice and snow it was closed! Kelly’s shoes were soaked through so we go back to the hotel. We decide to go to Notre Dame, this means taking the Metro or a bus. We choose a bus as Kelly is not impressed with the Metro. Determining which bus we need is a chore. We had to walk several blocks from our hotel but we think we know how to get back to the hotel from the bus stop! City blocks here are not like the ones in the U.S. they aren’t square so you can’t just count the blocks and know when you turned left or right they are all different shapes so it is very confusing. We do have the correct bus and we make it to the stop nearest Notre Dame and walk to it. It is a beautiful cathedral and worth a visit if you ever get to Paris. Going back starts out good we find our bus easily or so we think! We got on at the wrong stop we were 1 block away from the correct stop, oops! This bus is the correct route but when we get to one of the stops the driver turns to us and says this is the end. We have gone way out of our way to find that the bus stops and takes a break before going again. We take another bus from this stop and the driver asks us for a ticket but we didn’t have one. He decides to let us ride anyway and 45 minutes later we get to the stop we think we need only to find out we don’t know where we are. I think I know where we need to go so we start walking and soon we see a familiar area. Now we are hungry so we stop at a restaurant close to our hotel and have dinner. Kelly goes to the restroom so I order for us. Here is what I thought I was ordering - French Onion soup, some sort of pork soup, short steak and fries. Here is what I actually ordered - French onion soup, liver pate, short steak and fries (the steak was so rare it was floating in blood). We ate everything except a few fries that ended up being soaked in blood. It was all actually quite good. After dinner we headed back to our room for some much needed sleep.

- G

Some Images of Our First Day

Paris covered in more snow than they have had in a long time. They had about 3 to 4 inches and it totally crippled the city.

A view of the street that our Hotel is on, our hotel is on the left you can see the sign. We are staying at Hotel de la Tour Eiffel. It has been a very pleasant stay Click on the hotel name to see more about the hotel.

Kelly was not having much fun and was disappointed with Paris until we finally came out from underground and she saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time. She doesn't much care for big city life but I think Paris is growing on her. I love the metro and public transportation.

A view of our room, it is small but very nice. All hotels in Paris have small rooms, this one is actually bigger than it looks.

Another view of our room, we have two beds a double and a twin.

Just a couple block from our hotel, we could have had a room with a view of the top of the tower but it was smaller and only had 2 twin beds so we chose the larger room from the photo above.

Here we are at the Eiffel Tower, Say Cheese!

More will come tomorrow!

- G

Thoughts and Impressions Day 1 by K

Our first day of the trip was VERY long. I like my 8 hours of sleep in my own bed and trying to sleep on a plane is not easy. The flight to Paris was delayed because of weather and then they had to plow our gate to pull the plane in. After sitting in the plane for at least an hour we finally get off and walk forever to get our luggage only to find out they are having trouble driving it to the baggage claim. It finally came about an hour later. I have a very good nose which is not always a good thing because Paris has a unique smell in a not so good way. Finally we got to experience the public transportation of Paris and all of its smells(public restroom). If your not sure of what metro you need to get on, don't guess, chances are your wrong. Parlez-vous anglais? is my new favorite question, if they say non keep asking and if they say yes then they are my new best friend. When you don't speak the language getting around is very hard. We get out of the Metro station and when I turned around the first thing I see was the Eiffel Tower and I think to myself this hasn't been a crappy day after all. We find our hotel and set out to explore the Eiffel Tower, but guess what, it's closed because of the ice and snow. It was still pretty to look at from the bottom. It may sound like I am having a terrible time but I am having a wonderful time, I just need to sleep.

K

Thoughts and Impressions Day 1 by G

We left Dayton on time and arrived in DC early. We saw Renee Panosian and her husband they were on our flight to DC. Our flight to Paris was delayed 2 hours a Snow storm in France pretty much shut down the city. It was the largest snow storm since the 80's I think. Couldn't sleep on the plane (not unusual) I think I may have had about 30 minutes of decent sleep. Remind me to not choose United Airlines, not that I did this time but they are in a partnership with Lufthansa and somehow we ended up on one of there flights. The food was not very good, the movie selection was not very good and the steward in our section was rude. Our flight got in an hour late but the gate was still covered in snow so we had to sit on the plane 100 meters (you can convert that to feet yourself) away from the gate waiting for the snow to be removed which it finally was an hour later. Couldn't get our luggage for another 45 minutes because of the snow. All of the trains into Paris were delayed because of the snow. We finally got into the city an hour longer than it should have taken. Do you see any patterns in this post? Once in Paris we had to change trains and figure out which one to take, of course we chose the wrong one but were able to figure that out within 1 stop. We finally get to our last stop and then we have to figure out which exit to take, fortunately we got this one right. Once above ground we had to walk to our hotel which took about (you guessed it) an hour.  Once we were there we found our room wasn't ready. Went to lunch but that is another day so will talk about that later. K is not reading these posts so if the grammar is terrible it's my fault.

G

Less than 12 hours to departure!!!

We are about to embark on Our Big European Adventure. We leave in just under 12 hours from now for the airport. Our bags are mostly packed and we are just trying to figure out what we need to do first thing in the morning so we can leave for the airport on time. Of course I am up late setting up this blog so that we can chronicle our trip for all those back home who want to know what we will be doing. Our goal is to post pictures each day of some of the people, places and things we encounter while we are trekking about. So there you have it, check back daily to see what new things we have encountered. The only thing that will stop us from blogging is the Internet!

Thanks for reading,

G&K