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Published: September 29th 2015
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The day started with an amazing breakfast in the Golden lounge at the Fairmont. The excitement was building as we leisurely prepared for the day. Around 1130 we checked out and strolled about 5 min’s to the baggage check-in and printed our boarding passes. I would highly recommend staying at the airport to anyone who can.
There was a skip in my step as we passed through security and into the terminal. Our plane was there as we walked to our gate, and just seeing it made my heart leap with anticipation. An hour later we were on Air France and ready to go. Surprisingly so were over 300 other people. The plane was packed! I have to say that it was an okay experience. The service was mediocre and because we ordered gluten free, I was left wanting meal wise. Breakfast was…I am not even sure. One rice cake cut in half, a tiny fruit salad, apple sauce and milk. I know we were flying economy, but seriously? It was liked we were being punished for being gluten free. Other than that, it went quickly, and we enjoyed just being there together. We were blessed with a super moon
and an eclipse while we traveled. It was incredible! The view was close and unobstructed. I have never been able to watch a full eclipse. The super moon was so bright and the light danced off the wing of the plane, as it provided a steady source of comfort travelling with us. It was truly awe-some.
We landed just as the sun was rising and moon was now visible but behind us. The colours of the sky was spectacular. As we were landing I saw just the steeple of an old church in the distance and the reality that I was finally arriving in a Country rich with history and architecture hit me. I was finally on European soil. I had made it. My dream was being lived and it brought a few tears to my eyes.
Speaking of tears, I was honored to meet Jackie’s brother Eric, and watching them embrace after a very long time without seeing each other brought a few tears on for us all. I was received with open arms and there was instant comfortability. We loaded the car with our luggage, and began the journey around Paris, to Eric’s village – Cerney
La Ville. First stop, the bakery of course. The village was everything I had pictured. The stone walls of the houses. The iron framed windows with planter boxes…beautiful. We headed to Eric’s house and enjoyed my first Café et croissant in France. Gluten free went out the window and I was going to risk the outcome to enjoy this moment! And luckily, so far so good. After letting the croissant melt away in my mouth and two coffee’s later, we were off again. First stop was the 12 century Vaux-de-Cernay Abby. Wow… I could feel the peace when we drove up. It is now used as a hotel (strange to me) but the integrity of the building stands. Next was the escargot farm in Cernay-la-Ville. Who knew lol. I had no idea how escargot actually came to be. Apparently they are farmed! There was a covered with a net section with about a two foot wall and inside was about 50,000 snails just ‘sticking’ around. It was so interesting to see. Of course we had to have some for pre-dinner snacking so we put on our hunting gear and the chase was on. Those things can move! Ok, we actually
just walked over to the front office and ordered three dozen premade. (I have to say, it was the most decadent escargot I have ever had).
And we were off again, a quick lunch in Chevreuse for steak and fries, and then we snuck into Chateau de la Madeleine, a small castle on the top of the hill overlooking Chevreuse. It was beautiful. Both Jackie and I were pretty done by this time with the jet lag and time difference, so Eric kindly drove us back to his place for a nap. When we woke, I was able to meet Eric’s lovely wife Sylvie and his son Thomas. What a lovely family. Eric Jackie and I went for a quick stroll before dinner back to the village bakery for some baguettes. We shared an amazing meal (after the escargot) of duck breast, potatoes, baked pear and of course baguettes. Followed by three cheeses from different areas of France. This of course was after Eric gave me a lesson on what side of the knife to use. Apparently there is a difference!(would have been nice to have this lesson before eating the duck) To clean our pallets we
had some sorbet and finished with a café and chocolate. What a beautiful evening with laughs and love and catching up. The intro of the food, the table setting, struggling to understand three different languages (Jackie and Eric spontaneously would break out in Dutch). I love this!!!! I welcome day 2 with much enthusiasm.
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Terry
non-member comment
Wonderful time
Girls you are having a wonderful time! I'm enjoying the blog! You could be a writer Leanne! Hugs, terry