Full On Panic! But We Survived...

Trip Start Jul 18, 2008
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10
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Trip End Sep 03, 2008


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Flag of France  , Île-de-France,
Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Well, how do we say this? Our day started with a bit of a scare. Realizing that we were running behind and might miss our train to Paris, we all ran to the train station from the cab, but Cass' suitcase was stuck in the turnstile.While Bob and Cass tried to free his suitcase, Brady, Jo and Becky ran for the train. Unfortumately only Brady made the train. That's right, there goes our ten year old alone on a train into London! Not joking. (I know, you all guessed it would have been Brady who would do this). Should have seen the sheer terror on his face! Should have heard Becky and Joanne yelling at a 50 ton piece of metal to "Open...Open"!!! And there was Brady, hands and face pressed against the window of a speeding train, taking him away from us. OMG OMG OMG! Well, apparently, this happens quite often in England, and they have a ready to use plan when it takes place. Thankfully, they contacted the officials at the next station (Potters Bar) and held him there until we caught the next train and met up with him. Never had such meaningfull hugs as the ones we got from him when we met up again! Lesson to be learned? Make a plan in case this happens again, so we have done so! Anyways, this ended up with us not getting any breakfast and rushing to catch our  Train to Paris Dinner on a balcony in Paris.
Dinner on a balcony in Paris.
 . We are now one hour behind our planned timeline, and two trains behind our departure, but we luckily made it onto our train to Paris. What greets us in Paris? Another Gypsy from Belgrade, wanting money or else she will curse us! Nice, but just because I'm a Polack doesn't mean I'll fall for that! The train station in Paris is incredible busy (think Canada Day at the Forks, but everyday).We finally get our bearing straight and realize where we need to go. Our sixteen year old suddenly decides to speak perfect French again and he turns into our leader. Gets us tickets, gets us routes, gets us directions, gets us blushing with pride... How's that for a below grade 50/50 program Mr. Borys? Either way, he guides us to our hotel in a quaint little village / suburb of Paris and we enjoy an exquisite French dinner on a balcony overlooking the Seine River...Ahhh gay Paris....Next entry brings you the streets of Paris...stay tuned and please leave comments!\Love Us 
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Comments

grante
grante on Jul 28, 2008 at 09:32PM

London, Paris anyone?
I cannot believe the adventures/excitement/terror/trials you are all experiencing. That Brady thing would have done me in! Oh well, just that much more to remember, tell others about and perhaps even laugh about. You would not believe how jealous I am of you, however it is really a toss up as to whether I'd rather be there, or here watching the Big Blue...yeah right! Here's hoping the rest of your journey is only full of pleasant, happy, easygoing times. I hope your ankle is getting better Joanne. That looked uuuugly. Take care and Happy Trails to You!

Grant

janetteandmatt
janetteandmatt on Jul 28, 2008 at 09:43PM

London & Paris fun - c'est tres drole
Hey all, sorry its taken us so long to write a message but ive only just figured out how to use this travel blog thingy. Sounds like you had fun in London with our wonderful public transport system!! - all hail to the power of British rail! Sound like you guys are having loads of fun in Europe - hope the crowds are not too bad - bit different to Canada hey ? - see you in a week and a bit! look forward to some more blog news xx love Jan & Matt xx

au revoir xx

jkolt
jkolt on Jul 28, 2008 at 10:04PM

OMG OMG OMG is right
OK.... this isn't funny. Grandma's thousands of miles away and she reads this? Oh Brady, another gray hair for me (not for long, I'm going to see Monique next week.) I'm soooo glad it all turned out OK, makes for a great story when you're looking back I guess. I'm updating Jack and Deb on your travels. Keep the pictures and stories coming, love them all, luv ya guys,
Mom

usweirs
usweirs on Jul 28, 2008 at 11:25PM

OMG Omg
Okay that is tooooo scary! Thank goodness it turned out okay...yikes I don't even want to think about it! It is great that you are able to update and send pics like this!! Awesome hugs all around! A

barbtheme
barbtheme on Jul 29, 2008 at 06:17PM

OMG
Wow, there is never a shortage of excitement around you guys. Thankfully it all worked out fine, although I'm a bit surprised there weren't more empty wine bottles on that Paris dinner table !!!! Trying to imagine Jo running with a boot ??

valdezoocrew
valdezoocrew on Jul 31, 2008 at 03:35PM

Surprised but not surprised
OMG is right! Would have bet money that it would have been Brady to do this first! Looks like you are having the time of your life out there. Can't wait to sit and have a coffee (Tim's of course, on me!) and hear all about it first hand. Keep the fun coming!

tonydad
tonydad on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:01AM

London - Paris
Well we missed our Eurostar train to Paris, and without Brady´s help. Just a food requirement and the Hatfield train stopping at every Station. Glad he did it in uk and not in Paris. We did catch the next train, and le tour de france on Champs Elysee amazing noisy police sirens going - weather very, very hot and humid - sweating profusely. Tony watching cyclists me waiting for a seat in a cafe behind him - 2 small waters and a wine later 20 euros- found a bar on a back street, less expensive, but found out food and drinks cost more at tables than at the bar, about €3 each more. The tables must have been only about a foot away. We ordered from a chalk board. Two hours later sitting with my feet in a fountain across the way from the eiffel tower - looking for Barbara´s Paris Beach place. Paris underground sweaty/hot/pushy busy switched to buses - went to Louvre - Tony saw restaurant with mixed grill advertised - ate lamb chop,sausages,eggs,thick bacon , mushrooms, really nice deep fried potatoes at 8pm night. Found Irish pub had cider/shandy got directions to metro 11pm -exchanged e-mails with American going on to Dublin.
St. Quentin people great - hotel -not the best. 2 days in archives found out ancester from Nottingham although born in Normandy... Avignon fantastic - home of Christiandom in 13th century (Old Rome) 7 Popes built the popes Palace -City 13th century walls surround Avignon/8 gates still in action.
We are in Munich today (5th tues until we go overnight to Berlin on Thurs. Going to arrange Rhine cruise and visit Salzberg. Great to get in touch Love Mum and Dad.

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