What a Day!

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Geo: 48.8566, 2.35097

The plane trip was nice. 10hrs but got some sleep. Mom was walking in the people mover so slow that I was passing her on the floor beside her. Took the RER from the airport to Gare d Nord train station where we transfer to Metro. That's where my plan went down!

The station is under construction an to get anywhere you have to go up and down stairs. They're everywhere. I had to carry Mom's 50# suitcases and it was killing me. And if I went the wrong way and we had to go back, she was mad. What about me?

So we get to the hotel and they had an elevator but for only one person at a time or suitcase only. We got to the 4th floor ((which is 5th in Europe). Then the guy says he felt sorry for us and gave us a bigger room on the first (2nd). Great. But the elevator is broke on the 1st floor. Pictures of this thing to follow.

Now we're heading out to the night bus tour, open top. Mom should like that but I have to wake her. She's out!

Pics tomorrow when we have more time but all is well, sort of. Oh, we ate at a sidewalk cafe. I had French onion soup with cheese in France and Mom had a salad. Then we walked to the Eiffel Tower two blocks away from hotel.

I'm gonna wake her now.

Al

OK. We went on the open top bus at night around Paris. It's very beautiful. People are out and about and it's after midnight here right now. We've been up since 4:30am Thursday. We rode the Metro train to the bus and back with no problems but that's without luggage of course. Tomorrow it's Segway, Eiffel Tower and Seine boat cruise. Also hang out at the cafes.

Good night all,

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Photos

Paris railway station
Waiting to go. This train will take us from the airport to downtown Paris in about 1/2 hour for €9 each. We stopped at an ATM to get some Euros first and bought the tickets at a machine.

Waiting for the Metro in Paris
Mom found a seat. I think we're on the right side this time.

Here it is!
Our train to the stop Ecole Militaire. That's where our hotel is, right near the Eiffel Tower.

What has she got in these things!!
I did this in every country. They started out at 50# each and grew after every shopping excursion.

I'm done.
Our first day in Paris, it's about 4pm, I've been up 27 hours, carried suitcases all over town and we're on a tour tonight. Oh God, what have I done?

Mom in the train to Paris
I'm sure she's saying "I hope this joker knows where he's going".

That's me trying to sit down in the train
We're taking up a ton of space and pissing people off with all this luggage.

Mom is in Paris
We had to walk over and check it out, even though we're pretty tired.

Our hotel
Very close to Eiffel Tower, River Seine and other tourist sites. Metro is just across street.

That's our elevator
Take your pick: you or your luggage. You're not getting both. They put Mom in and pushed the button. Up she went, whether she liked it or not. And she didn't!

On the night bus
Riding down the Champ-Elysees toward the Arc de Triomphe

Look at all the people
It's almost midnight and the streets are packed. We found that Europe is like Hong Kong. Everyone comes out at night.

All lit up!
At the top of the hour, all the lights flash for eight minutes. The bus times it perfectly to get here at the time. Shot that with our movie camera.

Comments

[Alan]

Must be nice to sit around eating soup and salad in Paris.

[Scarlett Thomas]

You guys are living like your retired. Who does that! HAHA about the one person elevator, the stairs, the luggage and the small room. I see your trip is going just as planned. All I can say is you better be taking good care of mom.... and
she better actually wake up... lol Glad you guys are having fun!

[cindy]

Sounds fun and exciting can not wait to see the pictures.

[T.J.]

U GOT TO HAVE THE CASH. LOVE YA GUYZ

[Hans]

Must be nice when your a millionair and were all working! lol Have fun and be safe!

[Milan]

Looking good Karen n Al live like an Ocean Big we are having partys every night at your house it like having a retirement place to go to but we use up all Big Als booze were dose he keep the reserve and can you send us
some money for food food we used up everything you had in the freezer we r having a gret time at Big Als n Karens home I love the big shower and the washer n dryer r working great we accidently busted the front window could you have Al order a ne window its the big Picture window and a Chinese Guy came by he said your husband said he could have the coy fish out front so you will need to get some more when you get home thanks have fun on your world tour love you o yes ps the garbage is pulling up on the side of the house from all the partys can you or big al call for a exta pic up this week c u both soon but pleas take acouple xtra weeks because we have a couple more partys plan in lte sept early oct at you house

[Milan]

hey karen

[Scarlett Thomas]

Mom emailed a few sentences today. She wanted me to let everyone know that they are having a blast. However are having a few difficulties not sure what those are as of today's date. I hope it's not the fact that I drained all their accoun
ts and they are short on money. Lol. In any event they said they have limited access to Internet so hard to update their posts. Once they get in a better location they will write more. Hope all is well in Castro Valley! Queenie....

[Ange monte]

Hope you two are having a blast! Thinking of you!!

[Nickole Francis]

OMG I know Im joining late but you guys are freakn hilarious!!!! I love and miss you all!