Life is so uncertain take it in a stride

As we crossed the Seine River today, I saw two old ladies, dressed exactly alike,arm in arm, walking together and having the most lively conversation......they were at least in their 80's and they were twins!!........Imagine that!! It was quite a sight to see these two with so much love between them........

We took the train to Chartres today, but most everything was closed........We saw the church where our ancestors were baptized and walked the town where they were born and raised....In the square was a statue of General Marceau (our relative) and in the Marceau Square was another memorial dedicated to him......there was even a restuarant named after him with a huge painting of him, however, it was closed today also.........The church was beautiful, but we weren't able to spend much time in it as they were having an organist competition.......oh well.....it didn't rain today, but it teased us with overcast skies.......I realized that French Taxi drivers feel VERY strong about politics......in fact, every chance mom gets, she eggs someone on in a discussion regarding politics.........it usually escalates in a heated Bush bashing time.......she and the taxi drivers go on and on, and my dad just nods...........It's incredibly amusing, however, it's getting old after almost a month of it! She even starts these conversations on train rides with people of different nationalities........AND, she knows I'm a Republican, yet she continues.........so far she's been safe....everyone seems to hate Bush here.......

I'm growing less and less fond of Paris.....it's becoming to look like just another big city........for the most part, the waiters are fairly nonchallant.....I asked one waiter if he was having a good day and he told me rather rudely......"You're having a good day...I'm working!! How could I be having a good day?".........AND, he was serious!!......I wouldn't have expected that kind of answer ever!!.....

I don't know what has taken me so long to finally visit here....I should have got it out of my system a long time ago... it's a no brainer to travel here alone and to get around fairly easy........I'm thinking how nice it would be to send Alex, my 15 year old here next summer to spend a couple of weeks with his cousins in Lake Geneva........I think it would be a good experience for him to dive into another culture without the apron strings........

Rick is anxious for me to reserve our Family Thanksgiving Caribbean cruise....I cringe at the thought of having to pack another suitcase!!......I think the next time I get the urge to go away for a month, I'll choose an island somewhere, so that the biggest decision I have to make that day is whether I want to swim in the pool or ocean..........that's a real vacation!

I have been learning alot about the French.........one thing that I find amusing is that even though there is beautiful fruit on top of chocolate desserts, it may just be there for decoration and not necessarily to be eaten!!! Have you ever had kiwi with chocolate??.......YUK! The neighborhood bakery, grocery store and restuarants are starting to recognize us and they are giving us warm smiles! I am beginning to feel at "home" and not so disoriented.........

Most of the French people I've met speak at least 3 languages, if not more........Makes me realize just how limited we are in the U.S. and how very uninterested we are in the rest of the world...I was fortunate as a child that my father loved to travel and I was exposed to more than most......I am realizing how incredibly spoiled we are in the U.S.......I haven't seen one SUV automobile in Paris yet! And, everyone recycles!! I'm understanding just how sheltered we are from the rest of the world and it's cultures in the U.S.......I've been watching the news here and seeing TV commercials advertising travel vacations in areas that I've never even heard of!! Everyday, I get to see what the weather will be like in Africa and other neighboring countries.....really makes you feel like you're a part of the whole world! I don't want my children growing up thinking that the world revolves around the United States!! It's a HUGE eye opener!...Paris is like a huge melting pot, except, it doesn't seem to be melting! So many cultures under one roof.......

I saw the sweetest old couple today, sitting on a park bench!........

Versailles was wonderful! We had a picnic lunch on a park bench....I'm starting to relax, I fed the pigeons today....

I don't like the metro/bus/taxi system here....It's so confusing...I miss my convertible and my family and my dog and my bed and my coffee and the way my bare feet feel on my wooden floors.........

Wish I had my own personal driver to take us anywhere we wanted in Paris, anytime we wanted!

It may rain tomorrow......another walk in the rain, perhaps......what a day to look forward to!..........hugs, Me

Thanks Mary! All I needed was just a little encouragement and I bought a hat! See the pictures....I think it looks great, but Dad made fun of me all day We saw Paris again today on the hopon/off bus........I sat on top all day....with my hat on I even saw "Madona" coming out of her hotel and into her limo....evidently, she was in Paris for some odd reason.....our bus just so happened to be exactly in front of her hotel when she came out, then they were in front of us for a few minutes....I swear, she saw me and my hat on top of that bus and smiled at me.............Awe......the life of a Parisian wanna be................We went to where Napolean was buried and I inquired about General Marceau, only to find out that some of his ashes were buried in the crypt, right where we were, but they were off limits.......so, when I explained that he was my great uncle and that his brother was my great grandfather (several generations removed), Mom, Dad, and I, got the real ROYAL TREATMENT.......and we were escorted underground to the crypt and saw where his ashes were buried and being honored....(make sure you see the pictures), our museum escort had tears in her eyes and she kept saying how honored she was to meet us!!!.......it was really cool! Of course, I think the hat helped in getting to see the ashes

Great sunny day and we are all exhausted........my cousin Myriam will be joining us in Paris on Monday morning, just in time for some girl adventuring in Paris before we head for home on next Thursday! Tomorrow, Mom wants to go to Versailles......I'm not that excited about seeing one more museum, but, she's been wanting to go one more time....I understand it will take a full day......Hope all is well with all of you! Keep sending me those emails.........love, marge..........