From Paris with Love

The Chengs along the banks of the Seine
see all photos »

July 3, 2006

Paris

Our first impressions are that it is hot, noisy and one big party

We haven’t been able to update our blog for some time because of lack of internet availability. It really is not as available here as we expected; especially in the small places. When we do have access, there are 4 people who ‘need’ to check email, check and update bank accounts, listen to past episodes of Adventures in Odyssey, etc., etc.. Thank you to all our friends and family who have emailed us! We love to see all those mails from home! Please excuse if we don’t respond promptly. We are very interested in what you are all doing and really do love to hear about you and your daily lives!

The famous Notre Dame Cathedral
see all photos »

A summary of our days touring England – Stephanie and Karsten already updated you to the fact that we enjoyed the Cotswolds And York very much. The Cotswolds are as idyllic, albeit quite touristy, as one always hears about. It is amazing how these small towns have changed so little over the centuries in terms of their buildings and village layouts. Yet inside the homes are very up-to-date with all the conveniences we are used to. One does learn to move slowly, however, as spaces are very small, and one wrong turn in the shower or bathroom or hallway results in a bruised elbow or head. They have managed to make ensuites in the tiniest of areas! The history, as Karsten described, is also very amazing. Roman ruins, Vikings digs, graves of so many famous people…it is all quite overwhelming. The westcoast of BC is really and truly only in infancy in comparison! The gorgeous scenery in the Lake District was another highlight. Winding, narrow roads as in the Cotswolds, but now it is amongst large hills (they call them mountains!) and pretty lakes. We visited Hawkeshead (thanks for the tip, Esther and Paul!) and stayed in the neighboring village of Coniston. Beautifully situated at the base of the “fells’ and beside a lovely lake that has boats going from village to village. We walked the paths between farm fields, around cemeteries and grazing sheep, and treated ourselves to our first ice cream with a Cadbury flake (small chocolate bar) stuck in it. We talked of retiring in this village, but David noticed there is no London Drugs, so that’s out. We haven’t mentioned Blackpool…maybe it’s because we rather forget. The kids really wanted to visit because of the famed roller coater and fair grounds along the beach. Well, we came, we saw, and we left! Blackpool is row upon row of dilapidated small inns, a trashy looking strip of gambling halls and amusement centres along a wide expanse of what would otherwise be a nice beach. It is pretty deserted yet in June, but one can just imagine what it would be like in the midst of the busy summer. Apparently there are lots of stag and hen parties here and it is not your average idyllic seaside town. Our recommendation for anyone traveling in England is don’t bother going to Blackpool. Even the kids were relieved to leave!

David updating our blog in Hotel du Commerce
see all photos »

As you’ve gathered, we have arrived in Paris. Our first impressions are that it is hot, noisy and one big party. After a few mishaps – Karsten’s backpack got mangled and covered in grease somewhere during transport between London and Paris, and I just about didn’t make it off the train at our stop coming in from the airport. My family went out one door, but I was closer to another and expected the door to open automatically. It didn’t; and there I stood with my luggage and the knowledge that the train would soon zoom off to its next stop. There was my family out on the platform, yelling instructions and causing everyone in the train to turn to stare! Stephanie tried to hold the doors open at their exit and I managed to rush over and gracefully jumped out with ‘too large backpack’ (Wendy, will you PLEASE take some of my stuff home with you???) and day pack thumping along behind. Our last glance at the departing train was of stunned passengers still looking out into the darkness at 4 stupid tourists on the platform.

Somehow we found our hotel quite easily. It is our first experience at a hostel-like accommodation. The people are friendly and helpful, there is a common area to prepare and eat meals, the toilet is up 1 ½ floors, the showers are down 1 ½ floors and cost 2 euro. Our room is wall to wall beds; an extra bed crammed into an already small 3 bed room. There is almost no floor space left and you can’t get at the small closet and shelves without crawling over a bed. Another reason not to travel with a lot of stuff! It’s not particularly clean, but it is bright and cheerful. The worst is the party that rages ‘til 3:00 am outside of our windows which must stay open if we are to have any air to breathe and to allow even the smallest bit of breeze on this very hot and humid room. Don’t Parisians need to sleep? An evening walk through our neighborhood, the Latin Quarter, and along the Seine, which is only about 2 blocks away, assures us that this is all worth it and Paris will be fun and exciting. We are managing OK with a bit of French and the excellent English of most people here, but we now really do feel like we are in a foreign culture. Karsten and Stephanie are very game and receptive travelers; it is me with a bad head cold that is miserable at times. With a combination of drugs and Stephanie’s ventolin, however, I’m feeling better now and am ready to go sight seeing once David and Karsten get back from trying to get the airline to replace his mangled and grease-stained backpack.

Barb