I wrote this all when I got home from France and never posted it. I did verbal exam prayer with George daily, but it was fun to review the whole trip when I got home, but this is not very "neat and tidy" as I just did a "France Freewrite! Vulnerable too. Sorry if too frank in France.
I am expressing GRATITUDE for fourteen days since June 10:
Flight attendants giving us seats with more leg room on the way there and back even though Icelandair made a mistake on both 7 1/2 hour legs of the trip.
Really good flight attendants even though Icelandair customer service and seat assignments were bad
NOT being stressed about it on the leg back and even forgetting about it as we waited
Paris in the rain and sun.
Being in "France with Ricky Steves"!
VIP treatment at Normandy Cemetery
Only 1 1/2 meltdowns in Paris and none in the countryside
Recovering wonderfully from both meltdowns - realizing that my phone not working was not going to ruin our time
Forgiving and understanding husband
Chenonceux
American Cemetery at Normandy and the sweet English man who escorted us
Lauds at Mt. St. Michel - Magical!
Making crazy videos for my friends
Nice people on the bus - some more memorable than others
Our tour guide CHRIS!
Lunch from the Shaker looking at the Castle of Amboise and sitting along the Loire River
Biking the Velo de Loire
Eighteen strait days together with George
Safety
Eiffel Tower at night
Nice beds to sleep in
Beautiful weather
Finding the Poplars at Giverny
Being with us the whole time
Delightful talks
NO back problems the whole time
Only a slight cold
GREAT food! Bourges Beef Bourginon in Burgundy!
Loving my husband
Mt. St. Michel in the sunshine
Learning about Normandy and sobered by the sacrifice and the sacredness of what those men did for the whole continent of Europe. Japan made a big mistake in bombing Pearl Harbor - It woke a sleeping giant
LORD, I could go on and on! Seriously could not believe how lovely it all was.
Flight attendants giving us seats with more leg room on the way there and back even though Icelandair made a mistake on both 7 1/2 hour legs of the trip.
Really good flight attendants even though Icelandair customer service and seat assignments were bad
NOT being stressed about it on the leg back and even forgetting about it as we waited
Paris in the rain and sun.
Being in "France with Ricky Steves"!
VIP treatment at Normandy Cemetery
Only 1 1/2 meltdowns in Paris and none in the countryside
Recovering wonderfully from both meltdowns - realizing that my phone not working was not going to ruin our time
Forgiving and understanding husband
Chenonceux
American Cemetery at Normandy and the sweet English man who escorted us
Lauds at Mt. St. Michel - Magical!
Making crazy videos for my friends
Nice people on the bus - some more memorable than others
Our tour guide CHRIS!
Lunch from the Shaker looking at the Castle of Amboise and sitting along the Loire River
Biking the Velo de Loire
Eighteen strait days together with George
Safety
Eiffel Tower at night
Nice beds to sleep in
Beautiful weather
Finding the Poplars at Giverny
Being with us the whole time
Delightful talks
NO back problems the whole time
Only a slight cold
GREAT food! Bourges Beef Bourginon in Burgundy!
Loving my husband
Mt. St. Michel in the sunshine
Learning about Normandy and sobered by the sacrifice and the sacredness of what those men did for the whole continent of Europe. Japan made a big mistake in bombing Pearl Harbor - It woke a sleeping giant
LORD, I could go on and on! Seriously could not believe how lovely it all was.
Holy Spirit - fourteen days is a long time to reflect on being in tune or out of tune with you. Please guide me by your heavenly light.
June 10/11
Examen, trip to PDX, Handmaids Tail, Three Billboards, Pele, Iceland, Slept 1-2 hours at the most, landed, taxi to Hotel Beausejour, try to walk to Opera Garnier, lost, Pintemps view, starving so had Indian food (familiar place), Metro to Tracadero and walk over I'lena bridge to see Eiffel Tower, POURING Rain but no line at Eiffel Tower so UP to second floor and realize we don't know where Metro is to get to Vedettes du Pont Neuf so we walk 3 miles in the pouring rain having not brought our great rain ponchos. Meltdown and kicking myself for not being more careful about time (note to self: DO NOT make reservation on the first day and just GO when the weather is better). LOVELY boat ride along the Seine. (Bateux Mouche might be a better choice because it is located next to the Eiffel Tower - but we had committed 20 EUROS already YIKES!). We went by as the ET had lit up. SO LOVELY and worth the hassle and a good story to tell later on.
IN TUNE: Not stressing about no leg room. Relaxing transitions in airport.
OUT OF TUNE: MELTDOWN over not finding the Metro and blaming George and myself for not keeping track of the time when on the ET (don't schedule and buy tickets there even if extra!)
June 12
Wasted the whole morning talking to numerous people at T-Mobile with the Data NOT working properly and having expected that to save us for finding directions to the Metro. Phone battery life terrible and not being able to charge (got wet during our downpour the night before). Going to Apple Opera and finding it NO PROBLEM. Metro conquered! Deciding waiting to help my phone was a waste of time. Let go of having internet and Facebook Live! Opera Garnier! YAY! Beauty. Place de Voges and Victor Hugo GEEK OUT! Savory Crepe GALETTE. Tour Group meeting. Walk up Montmartre to Moulin de la Galette GEEK OUT OF RENOIR PAINTING! Good food. Left group and continued up to Sacre Couer and rain ponchos needed. Walk down to the Picasso's Studio and Moulin Rogue walk by. Back to hotel by walking. Loved our tour guide, Chris!
IN TUNE: Most, adjusting expectations of iPhone (people got along for years without them) Chagall Ceiling - heaven
OUT OF TUNE - Being mad at George when he didn't say enough to the T-Mobile people - immediate repentance. Ack!
Wednesday June 13 - Up and out the door at 8:15 with our group. Candis is warm. Mary is hyper and Chris (tour guide) is GREAT! Historic Paris Walk. Palais of Justice and the Revolution. St. Sulpice windows were divine. Learned History. Walked around outside of Notre Dame. Deportation Memorial. Inside quick line to Notre Dame. St. Louis for Bertollion Ice Cream (divine) walk closed Cluny but saw Roman Baths from outside. Back to Concierge and disappointed that they took away Marie Antoinette's room but good to see her possessions and chapel. Decided against Pantheon because too much walking. Metro to Place de Concorde where the Guillotine was and first glimpse of the Arc d'Triomphe and Champs Elysees. Walked to Orangerie through Tuilerries Garden. Water Lillies were delightful. Then went to Paul's for a picnic lunch in Tuilerres Park. Went to Louvre via shopping mall (no line) at 5:30 but should have waited until 7 pm where it would clear out more. PACKED and I got mad at Geo trying to follow signs to Mona Lisa instead of Rick Steves tour through which is less overwhelming So overhwhelming an lost so we went back to beginning after I calmed down. (Half meltdown).
In tune: The whole day and making good choice to not try to squeeze in Pantheon. Portrait of a Old Man and a Young Boy! We noticed it!
Out of Tune - Louvre meltdown!
Thursday - Turn by turn directions at 1 am and a good Quiet Time with you. 8:45 with Group Metro to Les Halles (food market) not very interesting or the church but used the time in the church to center on You. More interesting in the Halles neighborhoods near Barricades. Caramel �clair amazing. Cheese, fruit ad bread tasting and through Palais Royale Gardens. On our own to go to Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb and stuffed horse. Really interesting place. Lunch on Rue Cler Café du Marche (Salmon and hearty salad). Walked to Arc to Triomphe and climbed up and met four Malays and helped a man who fell and cut his face. Had band aids from blisters from soggy shoes first night. Went down and watched Tomb of Unknown soldier ceremony before walking down Champs Elysees and seeing Thomas Jefferson's residence. Went later to the Orsay (7-7:30 and not busy at all!) Saw Cezanne, Gaugain, Pissarro, Van Gogh self-portrait. So good. Rodin's Gates of Hell. So perfect. Stayed until closing. Metro home and Little Italy with all the young professionals upstairs. Tiramisu for dessert.
In tune: Everything
Friday, June 15 - Departed Paris at 8 am sharp. Three hours to Burgundy and Guadalon Castle. Tour with Brit Sarah. Perfect to be out of doors. Picnic lunch we ordered ahead. 1 1/2 hours to Bourges Two hour tour with an American married to a French doctor. Really interesting place. Excellent Beef Bourginon for dinner and Kir. Mostly asking Carol and Greg about their lives in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, Carol asked me what I did. That is a lot of CHIT CHAT with people on the tour with no one asking. Interesting Stained glass in the cathedral. Roman Walls. No sound and light show though. Did a Pilates routine (either that night or the next morning) that took the kink out that I got loading my bag on the bus when we left Paris - George carried it from then on)
IN TUNE everything
Saturday, June 16 = 6:45-8:15 walk through the Marshlands (Marais) of Bourges. SO BEAUTIFUL! So worth it because it was nature. Picked up lunch in the market. Then took a BATH! Rushed to pack and get out by 10 even though our bus did not leave until 10:55. Talked to Lisa. Sort of a EGR person. Really a talker and doesn't care to know anything about you. Really sort of sad how she could not stop talking. Off to a Renaissance Faire and Wine and Cheese Tasting and lunch stop at Selles-Sur-Cher Chateau. Lovely Brit gave us a short history (they love Americans because we liberated them). Wine and cheese was delish! Ran into a Protest in Vierzon on the way there and had to detour. Picnic lunch was interesting talking to Scott and Baseball Nancy (both our teams were in the College Baseball playoffs). Renaissance Faire empty because France was playing Australia in the World Cup. Off to Chambord, but we were late due to a detour. Grounds neat and stair case and chapel the rest was cavernous and uninteresting. Arrive late in Amboise and went straight to dinner with Chris and our driver Rudy. Best dinner partners. She had said she taught Yoga on the bus ride that day and I mentioned I was a Pilates Instructor. Instant connection at dinner. Loved her. Rudy's mom is in the hospital. Tried to care for him. Good dinner of veal and George had fish. Feet started to really itch but Chris said pharmacies were closed and gave me Essential Oils and it went away!
IN Tune: Great day. Connection with Chris. Praying she encounters You!
Out of Tune: nothing
Sunday, June 17 - Father's Day but got a bad sore throat in the middle of the night and George got me breakfast while I stayed in bed. We wanted to bike to Chonneanceux but bike shop did not open until 9 am and group left at 8:30. We wanted with them and enjoyed it with minimal crowds and four more Malays! This was my favorite Chateau! My goodness. Glad I watched Reign because it was the home of Henry II mistress Diane. Beautiful in everyway. We biked the afternoon and found no lunch but dessert. So we had a late lunch of many meat and bread and Geo had another brioche (?) at the Shaker Lounge right on the Loire River looking at the Castle. We turned in our bikes and got BIGOT CHOCOLATE (should have gotten some for the boys - we were not thinking and still looking or T-Shirts). Then we rushed back and showered and changed and went back to The Shaker for a Chris' treat to a cocktail hour overlooking the sun setting on the river. Had a nice talk with Jim who was a pilot in Vietnam. Very nice guy. Then we walked over and saw the balloons rising over the River and walked up to view the Loire from above the Chateau but we had better views on our bike ride up up up. Most went out to dinner together but we went to bed.
IN TUNE - Everything
June 14 - Packed a light bag for Mt St Michel and were down for our bus at 8:30. Stopped in Fourgeres for lunch but we toured the town first and then went to a Café that other were already at. We ordered right away and watched the others in the tour really make fools of themselves which frustrated the waitress and gives all Americans a bad name. Anne finally told everyone to sit down. We went to a Galette Kabab place and the Turkish guys gave us free fries because I was nice and said Eid Mubarak. :) Much better than Plait du Jour at a slow restaurant. We were able to have time to see the original gate and more great views. Then we loaded in the bus and went to Mt. St. Michel in the SUNSHINE! Then we walked on the Mudflats! Then we walked some of the ramparts and had the HIGHEST room with a balcony! Heavenly. Then we had a cocktail toast on a larger balcony below and went to a five course dinner. I had the duck, and George the stead which was tough. The dessert was good Peach Melba! George had the Crepe Suzette. Nancy and Scott were pleasant dinner partners who like Richard Rohr. After this we walked the ramparts and met Scott and Mary and finally had a fun conversation. They obviously are very rich - taking two Rick Steves tours a year. We talked about how we met and they actually asked us some things about ourselves! She asked me how I stay in shape and I told her I teach Pilates with no follow up question.
We took a picture of the Mt at night and went to bed. So lovely. Sometime earlier in the day I think I gave Chris my MELT ball and it really helped her ailing knee.
In tune - everything Nature of Mt St. Michel seeing it for the first time
Tuesday, June 19 - Highlight of Lauds at 7-7:30. Monk met us at 6:50 and then shut the door. Up the stairs to see the view. Nuns and monks singing to God and I journaled Psalm 85 while they sang. "Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently ad worshipfully fear Him and is ready to be appropriated that the manifest presence of God and His glory may abide in our land. Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." We had an hour tour of the Abbey by a French woman, and then we loaded the bus and went to Bayeaux.tissues, green tea and chocolate. Stopped at Ville Dieu de Poelles for Sausage Galettes and a picnic with Normandy treats by the river. Then I got cold medicine, I rested and George got flowers for Uncle Hobarts grave. Then we Went straight to the Bayeux Tapestry late and wished I had wait longer to start as the people in front of me lingered longer than appropriate and I was half a picture behind every time. Eventually they kept going. We thought we were going to the Moulin de la Gallette but went to the place next store for take out and Calvados while we waited and ate by the river and got ice cream. Then we walked home and crashed and were in bed by 7:30 with falling asleep at 9:30. I got eight hours!
IN TUNE everything but being frustrated about the Bayeux tapestry clog.
Wednesday, June 20 - I woke up at 5:38 and lounged in bed until 6:45. Cold better. Time with God. Decided not to do another Rick Steves Tour. Really inappropriate comment by Scott about watching porn in our room. What? YUK! Great education but too much go, go, going. We left at 8:45 to tour Normandy and go the VIP treatment at the cemetery as Taps played. Solemn moment. And tied with Lauds at Mt St Michel. Came home to La Rapierre dinner. A BIG SPLURGE BUT BEST MEAL IN FRANCE BY FAR! Nice wait staff and exceptional Michelin Star quality food. Totally worth the splurge! Asleep by 10:30.
In tune: everything
June 21 - Bus by 8 am. Traveled to Monet's Garden with the house being too claustrophobic and pushy German tourists. French are so much more polite. So beautiful and saw the Poplars from Monet's series. GEEK OUT! We had a long time and got Camembert and Baguette and ate in the garden of the Museum of Impressionism.
Got back by 3:30 and plenty of time to go to the Marmottan. We asked Sue if she wanted to go and she invited Fred and Mary. This is where I sinned because they REALLY GOT ON MY NERVES and acted like big no-it-alls because they have traveled so much and know so much more about everything that they couldn't trust us to know where we were going. So we just followed in line. We broke away from their looking at pictures and Sue just thinks Mary is great, and I am not one to interfere in their bonding. :( We ate an old restaurant that we delish. Had Salmon Tartare and more Crème Brulee. Soo good. We sat with George and Nancy, and they were lovely. She is going to maybe do Spiritual Direction Training, and it was nice to have a bit of fellowship after a dearth for so many days!
Then we went to the Tracadero view at sunset. and the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking and the street vibe was electrifying. We watched the lights twinkle at 11 and walked back to fall in bed.
Friday, June 22 - Waldorf Tracadero was lovely and I lounged in the bathrobe until we packed and met a taxi for the airport. Got there very early but found out we had a cheap ticket and could not check our luggage (cost 88 EUROS per piece!). We ate something an got on the plane, and had the exit row. We barely made the second flight and found no exit row but I should my extra leg room receipt and she moved us to the best seats we have ever had right behind first class with LOTS OF LEG ROOM. I watched the rest of the Handmaids Tale and slept for 3-4 hours total. Then we were the THIRD People through customs with Global Entry! We were on our way to the parking lot and home by 8:30. Laughed and debriefed with the boys and loved it.
IN TUNE everything especially not being anxious about our seats but
OUT OF TUNE getting the stink eye from a girl I accidentally touched while getting back in my seat on the first leg. Gave her the stink eye back (not very Godly behavior - but she didn't see me give her the stink eye because she had already turned).
Asleep by 9:30
June 23 Up by 2 am but had some time to debrief and bed alone before Geo got up. Listened to Monks and had chai tea. Unpacked and researched Normandy battles for Uncle Hobarts memory. Walked for an hour with George and picked cherries before Manar and Jeni and Katherine came. Took Manar to Desi's and Starbucks and talked to Katherine in the car for 45 minutes. Watched the Beavers win and then had dinner as a family. Bed by 9:30 again. Tried to stay up until 10 pm
IN TUNE everything but not getting to my Examen as I had hoped.
Examen, trip to PDX, Handmaids Tail, Three Billboards, Pele, Iceland, Slept 1-2 hours at the most, landed, taxi to Hotel Beausejour, try to walk to Opera Garnier, lost, Pintemps view, starving so had Indian food (familiar place), Metro to Tracadero and walk over I'lena bridge to see Eiffel Tower, POURING Rain but no line at Eiffel Tower so UP to second floor and realize we don't know where Metro is to get to Vedettes du Pont Neuf so we walk 3 miles in the pouring rain having not brought our great rain ponchos. Meltdown and kicking myself for not being more careful about time (note to self: DO NOT make reservation on the first day and just GO when the weather is better). LOVELY boat ride along the Seine. (Bateux Mouche might be a better choice because it is located next to the Eiffel Tower - but we had committed 20 EUROS already YIKES!). We went by as the ET had lit up. SO LOVELY and worth the hassle and a good story to tell later on.
IN TUNE: Not stressing about no leg room. Relaxing transitions in airport.
OUT OF TUNE: MELTDOWN over not finding the Metro and blaming George and myself for not keeping track of the time when on the ET (don't schedule and buy tickets there even if extra!)
June 12
Wasted the whole morning talking to numerous people at T-Mobile with the Data NOT working properly and having expected that to save us for finding directions to the Metro. Phone battery life terrible and not being able to charge (got wet during our downpour the night before). Going to Apple Opera and finding it NO PROBLEM. Metro conquered! Deciding waiting to help my phone was a waste of time. Let go of having internet and Facebook Live! Opera Garnier! YAY! Beauty. Place de Voges and Victor Hugo GEEK OUT! Savory Crepe GALETTE. Tour Group meeting. Walk up Montmartre to Moulin de la Galette GEEK OUT OF RENOIR PAINTING! Good food. Left group and continued up to Sacre Couer and rain ponchos needed. Walk down to the Picasso's Studio and Moulin Rogue walk by. Back to hotel by walking. Loved our tour guide, Chris!
IN TUNE: Most, adjusting expectations of iPhone (people got along for years without them) Chagall Ceiling - heaven
OUT OF TUNE - Being mad at George when he didn't say enough to the T-Mobile people - immediate repentance. Ack!
Wednesday June 13 - Up and out the door at 8:15 with our group. Candis is warm. Mary is hyper and Chris (tour guide) is GREAT! Historic Paris Walk. Palais of Justice and the Revolution. St. Sulpice windows were divine. Learned History. Walked around outside of Notre Dame. Deportation Memorial. Inside quick line to Notre Dame. St. Louis for Bertollion Ice Cream (divine) walk closed Cluny but saw Roman Baths from outside. Back to Concierge and disappointed that they took away Marie Antoinette's room but good to see her possessions and chapel. Decided against Pantheon because too much walking. Metro to Place de Concorde where the Guillotine was and first glimpse of the Arc d'Triomphe and Champs Elysees. Walked to Orangerie through Tuilerries Garden. Water Lillies were delightful. Then went to Paul's for a picnic lunch in Tuilerres Park. Went to Louvre via shopping mall (no line) at 5:30 but should have waited until 7 pm where it would clear out more. PACKED and I got mad at Geo trying to follow signs to Mona Lisa instead of Rick Steves tour through which is less overwhelming So overhwhelming an lost so we went back to beginning after I calmed down. (Half meltdown).
In tune: The whole day and making good choice to not try to squeeze in Pantheon. Portrait of a Old Man and a Young Boy! We noticed it!
Out of Tune - Louvre meltdown!
Thursday - Turn by turn directions at 1 am and a good Quiet Time with you. 8:45 with Group Metro to Les Halles (food market) not very interesting or the church but used the time in the church to center on You. More interesting in the Halles neighborhoods near Barricades. Caramel �clair amazing. Cheese, fruit ad bread tasting and through Palais Royale Gardens. On our own to go to Army Museum and Napoleon's Tomb and stuffed horse. Really interesting place. Lunch on Rue Cler Café du Marche (Salmon and hearty salad). Walked to Arc to Triomphe and climbed up and met four Malays and helped a man who fell and cut his face. Had band aids from blisters from soggy shoes first night. Went down and watched Tomb of Unknown soldier ceremony before walking down Champs Elysees and seeing Thomas Jefferson's residence. Went later to the Orsay (7-7:30 and not busy at all!) Saw Cezanne, Gaugain, Pissarro, Van Gogh self-portrait. So good. Rodin's Gates of Hell. So perfect. Stayed until closing. Metro home and Little Italy with all the young professionals upstairs. Tiramisu for dessert.
In tune: Everything
Friday, June 15 - Departed Paris at 8 am sharp. Three hours to Burgundy and Guadalon Castle. Tour with Brit Sarah. Perfect to be out of doors. Picnic lunch we ordered ahead. 1 1/2 hours to Bourges Two hour tour with an American married to a French doctor. Really interesting place. Excellent Beef Bourginon for dinner and Kir. Mostly asking Carol and Greg about their lives in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, Carol asked me what I did. That is a lot of CHIT CHAT with people on the tour with no one asking. Interesting Stained glass in the cathedral. Roman Walls. No sound and light show though. Did a Pilates routine (either that night or the next morning) that took the kink out that I got loading my bag on the bus when we left Paris - George carried it from then on)
IN TUNE everything
Saturday, June 16 = 6:45-8:15 walk through the Marshlands (Marais) of Bourges. SO BEAUTIFUL! So worth it because it was nature. Picked up lunch in the market. Then took a BATH! Rushed to pack and get out by 10 even though our bus did not leave until 10:55. Talked to Lisa. Sort of a EGR person. Really a talker and doesn't care to know anything about you. Really sort of sad how she could not stop talking. Off to a Renaissance Faire and Wine and Cheese Tasting and lunch stop at Selles-Sur-Cher Chateau. Lovely Brit gave us a short history (they love Americans because we liberated them). Wine and cheese was delish! Ran into a Protest in Vierzon on the way there and had to detour. Picnic lunch was interesting talking to Scott and Baseball Nancy (both our teams were in the College Baseball playoffs). Renaissance Faire empty because France was playing Australia in the World Cup. Off to Chambord, but we were late due to a detour. Grounds neat and stair case and chapel the rest was cavernous and uninteresting. Arrive late in Amboise and went straight to dinner with Chris and our driver Rudy. Best dinner partners. She had said she taught Yoga on the bus ride that day and I mentioned I was a Pilates Instructor. Instant connection at dinner. Loved her. Rudy's mom is in the hospital. Tried to care for him. Good dinner of veal and George had fish. Feet started to really itch but Chris said pharmacies were closed and gave me Essential Oils and it went away!
IN Tune: Great day. Connection with Chris. Praying she encounters You!
Out of Tune: nothing
Sunday, June 17 - Father's Day but got a bad sore throat in the middle of the night and George got me breakfast while I stayed in bed. We wanted to bike to Chonneanceux but bike shop did not open until 9 am and group left at 8:30. We wanted with them and enjoyed it with minimal crowds and four more Malays! This was my favorite Chateau! My goodness. Glad I watched Reign because it was the home of Henry II mistress Diane. Beautiful in everyway. We biked the afternoon and found no lunch but dessert. So we had a late lunch of many meat and bread and Geo had another brioche (?) at the Shaker Lounge right on the Loire River looking at the Castle. We turned in our bikes and got BIGOT CHOCOLATE (should have gotten some for the boys - we were not thinking and still looking or T-Shirts). Then we rushed back and showered and changed and went back to The Shaker for a Chris' treat to a cocktail hour overlooking the sun setting on the river. Had a nice talk with Jim who was a pilot in Vietnam. Very nice guy. Then we walked over and saw the balloons rising over the River and walked up to view the Loire from above the Chateau but we had better views on our bike ride up up up. Most went out to dinner together but we went to bed.
IN TUNE - Everything
June 14 - Packed a light bag for Mt St Michel and were down for our bus at 8:30. Stopped in Fourgeres for lunch but we toured the town first and then went to a Café that other were already at. We ordered right away and watched the others in the tour really make fools of themselves which frustrated the waitress and gives all Americans a bad name. Anne finally told everyone to sit down. We went to a Galette Kabab place and the Turkish guys gave us free fries because I was nice and said Eid Mubarak. :) Much better than Plait du Jour at a slow restaurant. We were able to have time to see the original gate and more great views. Then we loaded in the bus and went to Mt. St. Michel in the SUNSHINE! Then we walked on the Mudflats! Then we walked some of the ramparts and had the HIGHEST room with a balcony! Heavenly. Then we had a cocktail toast on a larger balcony below and went to a five course dinner. I had the duck, and George the stead which was tough. The dessert was good Peach Melba! George had the Crepe Suzette. Nancy and Scott were pleasant dinner partners who like Richard Rohr. After this we walked the ramparts and met Scott and Mary and finally had a fun conversation. They obviously are very rich - taking two Rick Steves tours a year. We talked about how we met and they actually asked us some things about ourselves! She asked me how I stay in shape and I told her I teach Pilates with no follow up question.
We took a picture of the Mt at night and went to bed. So lovely. Sometime earlier in the day I think I gave Chris my MELT ball and it really helped her ailing knee.
In tune - everything Nature of Mt St. Michel seeing it for the first time
Tuesday, June 19 - Highlight of Lauds at 7-7:30. Monk met us at 6:50 and then shut the door. Up the stairs to see the view. Nuns and monks singing to God and I journaled Psalm 85 while they sang. "Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently ad worshipfully fear Him and is ready to be appropriated that the manifest presence of God and His glory may abide in our land. Mercy and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." We had an hour tour of the Abbey by a French woman, and then we loaded the bus and went to Bayeaux.tissues, green tea and chocolate. Stopped at Ville Dieu de Poelles for Sausage Galettes and a picnic with Normandy treats by the river. Then I got cold medicine, I rested and George got flowers for Uncle Hobarts grave. Then we Went straight to the Bayeux Tapestry late and wished I had wait longer to start as the people in front of me lingered longer than appropriate and I was half a picture behind every time. Eventually they kept going. We thought we were going to the Moulin de la Gallette but went to the place next store for take out and Calvados while we waited and ate by the river and got ice cream. Then we walked home and crashed and were in bed by 7:30 with falling asleep at 9:30. I got eight hours!
IN TUNE everything but being frustrated about the Bayeux tapestry clog.
Wednesday, June 20 - I woke up at 5:38 and lounged in bed until 6:45. Cold better. Time with God. Decided not to do another Rick Steves Tour. Really inappropriate comment by Scott about watching porn in our room. What? YUK! Great education but too much go, go, going. We left at 8:45 to tour Normandy and go the VIP treatment at the cemetery as Taps played. Solemn moment. And tied with Lauds at Mt St Michel. Came home to La Rapierre dinner. A BIG SPLURGE BUT BEST MEAL IN FRANCE BY FAR! Nice wait staff and exceptional Michelin Star quality food. Totally worth the splurge! Asleep by 10:30.
In tune: everything
June 21 - Bus by 8 am. Traveled to Monet's Garden with the house being too claustrophobic and pushy German tourists. French are so much more polite. So beautiful and saw the Poplars from Monet's series. GEEK OUT! We had a long time and got Camembert and Baguette and ate in the garden of the Museum of Impressionism.
Got back by 3:30 and plenty of time to go to the Marmottan. We asked Sue if she wanted to go and she invited Fred and Mary. This is where I sinned because they REALLY GOT ON MY NERVES and acted like big no-it-alls because they have traveled so much and know so much more about everything that they couldn't trust us to know where we were going. So we just followed in line. We broke away from their looking at pictures and Sue just thinks Mary is great, and I am not one to interfere in their bonding. :( We ate an old restaurant that we delish. Had Salmon Tartare and more Crème Brulee. Soo good. We sat with George and Nancy, and they were lovely. She is going to maybe do Spiritual Direction Training, and it was nice to have a bit of fellowship after a dearth for so many days!
Then we went to the Tracadero view at sunset. and the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking and the street vibe was electrifying. We watched the lights twinkle at 11 and walked back to fall in bed.
Friday, June 22 - Waldorf Tracadero was lovely and I lounged in the bathrobe until we packed and met a taxi for the airport. Got there very early but found out we had a cheap ticket and could not check our luggage (cost 88 EUROS per piece!). We ate something an got on the plane, and had the exit row. We barely made the second flight and found no exit row but I should my extra leg room receipt and she moved us to the best seats we have ever had right behind first class with LOTS OF LEG ROOM. I watched the rest of the Handmaids Tale and slept for 3-4 hours total. Then we were the THIRD People through customs with Global Entry! We were on our way to the parking lot and home by 8:30. Laughed and debriefed with the boys and loved it.
IN TUNE everything especially not being anxious about our seats but
OUT OF TUNE getting the stink eye from a girl I accidentally touched while getting back in my seat on the first leg. Gave her the stink eye back (not very Godly behavior - but she didn't see me give her the stink eye because she had already turned).
Asleep by 9:30
June 23 Up by 2 am but had some time to debrief and bed alone before Geo got up. Listened to Monks and had chai tea. Unpacked and researched Normandy battles for Uncle Hobarts memory. Walked for an hour with George and picked cherries before Manar and Jeni and Katherine came. Took Manar to Desi's and Starbucks and talked to Katherine in the car for 45 minutes. Watched the Beavers win and then had dinner as a family. Bed by 9:30 again. Tried to stay up until 10 pm
IN TUNE everything but not getting to my Examen as I had hoped.
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