May 14, 2004 - The Eagle has landed

Bonjour! So, after a long plane flight, an even longer time trying to get to hostel, I finally made it.Bonjour! So, after a long plane flight, an even longer time trying to get to hostel, I finally made it....

May 10, 2004 - London/Paris

Up early today so I could say goodbye to Sandra and Jake. Grabbed some lunch for the ride and jumped on the Eurostar about noon for my ride to Paris. ... Off the train about three hours later and jumped on the Paris Metro. ... Found my hostel no problem.Up early today so I could say goodbye to Sandra and Jake. Grabbed some lunch for the ride and jumped on the Eurostar about noon for my ride to Paris. ... Off the train about three hours later and jumped on the Paris Metro. ... Found my hostel no problem....

May 8, 2004 - Pardon my French

I finally have photos to upload - woo hoo! This is my last full day in France and I think I have walked every square inch of the place. Paris is fairly easy to navigate once you figure out the Metro system - even I, with no sense of direction, have not gotten terribly lost yet. ... Every time I try a phrase on a native Parisien, I get a totally blank look. ... Fortunately, most of them take pity on me and reply in English, "What?" Anyway, my time is almost up.I finally have photos to upload - woo hoo! This is my last full day in France and I think I have walked every square inch of the place. Paris is fairly easy to navigate once you figure out the Metro system - even I, with no sense of direction, have not gotten terribly lost yet. ... Every time I try a phrase on a native Parisien, I get a totally blank look. ... Fortunately, most of them take pity on me and reply in English, "What?" Anyway, my time is almost up....

Apr 12, 2004 - Paris

It is easy to see why so many guidebooks rank Paris at the top of their "must-sees" of Europe. ... The city is absolutely crammed with sights and sounds, and while few countries are wholly and accurately represented by their capital city, Paris is indeed a good introduction to France. ... After struggling to find accomodation for the first several hours after arriving in Paris, we settled down in perhaps the worst hostel we had ever been in. ... After a bare-bones breakfast, we set out and took Paris' wonderful metro system to the Arc de Triomph, erected in the early 19th century to mark Napoleon's victories. ... Encircling the Arc is the world's largest roundabout; a mind-boggling 12 different avenues converge at the Arc, creating what can only be described as traffic chaos, Paris style. ...

Apr 2, 2004 - London/Paris

The saga continues. I managed to stay awake while Karim, our tour manager, explained some of the details but was out of it most of the rest of the way to Paris. ... Took a nap, ate dinner with the group in the hotel, and headed out for a trip through the city for a quick night tour before ending up at the Eiffel Tower.The saga continues. I managed to stay awake while Karim, our tour manager, explained some of the details but was out of it most of the rest of the way to Paris. ... Took a nap, ate dinner with the group in the hotel, and headed out for a trip through the city for a quick night tour before ending up at the Eiffel Tower....

Dec 28, 2003 - One Fine Day in Paris

The streak of picture perfect weather while flying came to an end today as we returned to Paris from Zurich. ... Nonetheless, all of these so-called budget flights have been impressively on time and sometimes even early! Despite some anxiety at once again landing in Paris without accommodation (this time much closer to New Year's), we got through the language barriers (cheers to the phrasebook we bought and French 12 taken like 15 years ago) and found a couple of hostel beds with breakfast included. ... Paris itself is - no joke - an absolutely stunning city. ... It was such a joy to stop in Paris, et je parle un peu francais aussi (I just forget how to say that correctly in the past tense. ...

Dec 20, 2003 - Vacation during Holiday Season

Since our arrival to Glasgow about four months ago, your favourite "travelers" have not even ventured outside the Scottish territorial limits. This week of Christmas 2003 will take us to many destinations in Europe including Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Vaduz and Staanville, Liechtenstein; and Feldkirck, Austria and back again. ... In fact, we are scheduled to hit 5 countries in 5 days and are planning to have a ball doing it.Since our arrival to Glasgow about four months ago, your favourite "travelers" have not even ventured outside the Scottish territorial limits. This week of Christmas 2003 will take us to many destinations in Europe including Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Vaduz and Staanville, Liechtenstein; and Feldkirck, Austria and back again. ... In fact, we are scheduled to hit 5 countries in 5 days and are planning to have a ball doing it....