Wed on the train to Paris.
We took all of our 7 bags(remember Andy is bringing 3 months worth.) Well we got to the train station and found a luggage cart got our ticket and then found out that you have to carry your own luggage on and off the train. We waited about 45 min. before boarding. We had to go up an escalator without steps but at a very steep angle and Andy was pushing or holding this very heavy loaded cart to keep it from rolling backwards. We were in car 15 way, way at the end of the train then you have to climb up steps an d load your luggage into racks and then we walked to the end of the car where we were seated. I walked allllllll the way. I am sure I wore off every calorie for at least six months, but I made it.
The train ride was glorious. In England I saw many small and large towns. Most of these names were from movies or books that I have read or heard or taught in History. When we past Dover, I was most surprised. I have always heard of the white cliffs of Dover, and I do not know what I was expecting, but they are very white sandstone or lime cliffs, similar to the cliffs on Miss. river, only without the brown and orange colors. All white, very neat. We past Canterbury and manoy other. The land was very much farm land, with small farms and very unique looking tractors and trucks. I really do feel like a hick from America. We were under the channel very briefly, I thought it would be very long, I will be buying some maps when we get back to London, so I know where I have been. The French countryside was so beautiful and peaceful. Miles and miles of farms, most of the hay was cut and rolled. Many fields of corn, tassled, and about as tall as me. In between the fields were very large flocks of sheep, green rolling hills and some cattle mostly white cows(come on you farmers what kind of cows are they?) The farm houses were mostly stone and brick with brown and reddish brick and brown clay tile roofs. Some were very large and some were tiny. I was surprised that it was so green and many forests.. I should have remembered from the battles of WWII like the black forest and Argone. Anyway, it was very pleasant surprise. After we passed Lilly-Europe the scenery changed. By the was train going faster than 110 mph, but still you could see alot. The tracktors were taller and very skinny, many blue one and the grain trucks were very narrow and very high. NO John Deeres in sight. In Lilly_Europe one of the only stops the train made: there was a huge building, maybe 3 stories and many stairs, maybe like a city center. On every wall from bottom to top and all the way around were amazing murels painted of people and scenery and activities it was unblievable to think of the enormous craftmanship and dedication to complete such a work of art. After Lilly, there were many more highways 4 to 6 lanes, crisscrossing in every direction. Hundreds of trucks going everywhere shipping every type of products. The type of farm houses and town houses changed to mostly stone and white or yellow stucco with very bright orange clay tile roofs. The type of clay must be different in this area. I was sorry to see that in the larger cities and towns the graffiti was everywhere on the bridge abutments and on the sides of buildings. It was very colorful and very large, since it was in French, I did not know what they said but I did recognize a few words and phrases used over and over, so I asume that they were not nice. Coming into Paris things changed rapidly. Very industrial areas and then miles of high white apartment buldings. Once in the station, we unloaded all 7 bags. Andy sat we down with the luggage and went to find a cart. Well he was gone for about half an hour. Everyone left and they locked that platform and there I sat watching the pidgeons jumping up and down the train stairs. Finally a gentleman in a suit with a name tag came passing by, so I called out for help, he wanted to know what I was doing there and I tried to explain but he did not seem to understand and then he called someone on his cell phone. I was not sure I was not going to jail, but in the end he ordered them to let Andy in with the cart. When we got to the gate, there was alot of harsh words spoken in French to the guards and other workers and much pointing to us. Praise God, however, they got us a cab and sent us on our way. HOT, HOT, HOT, HOT. 90 now where hardly has airconditioning. The cabs mostly had their windows rolled down and it was a hot ride and walk. Andy was dead from slepping the luggage all over I walked miles but here we are at our beautiful Hotel Westin. It is a 1/2 mile from the Luvere and surronded by shops and very high priced stores. The ride in was amazing all the gorgeuos buildings and historic archetecture. The doorman wears top hat and tales and very fun to be greated Madam and monsuier Kubitschek. Imagine, no one that does not know us in America can say it right but here everyone says it correctly.
Oh yes, I forgot our last night in London at 315am the fire alarms went off in the hotel room and in the hall. I was running around looking for fire and opening the doors in the hall to see if we should evacuate or whatever. No one was in the halls or up or anything so I tried the desk, praying and calling and after many tries someone answered and said Oh yes a false alarm sorry for the inconvenience. Andy and I just cracked up it was so funny to be alarmingly awakened. I am not sure I believed it was a false alarm but perhaps a little fire in kitchen and quickly put out. Anyhow we were safe.