And now for the final instalment about this Fall's trip.

Oct. 7 - 9 lev for the taxi to the airport and I was there in lots of time. Bulgarian Air was fine and not like some of the American airlines I've been hearing about lately. Seats  being loose etc. Got to Charles de Gaulle airport and had a long wait at passport control but no hassle when my turn came. But then my pack wasn't where it should be. I stressed but nice young woman found it. It and those of a few other passengers  had been sent to the wrong place. All good. Jean Baptiste was there to meet me and we dropped off stuff off at his place and walked over to the Rodin Museum. I like Rodin and left feeling very impressed with Rodin. I still had a cold/flu and wasn't feeling to good so I sent J-B off to watch the Paris-Marseille football match at a bar and went to bed early.

Oct 8 - still sick & it is a rainy day in paris. Despite my declarations to JB that I wouldn't need to take the Metro but would walk I took the Metro. (JB lives in a fifth floor walkup a block from the Metro and maybe 1/2 an hour walk from the Rodin museum and close to the older historic paris.) I walked over to the Bon Marche which ws a stupid idea as it is a HIGH end department store. Walked towards the site for boat cruises on the Seine. Part way there I saw the Eiffel Tower looming through the rainy mist with its top lost in the low clouds. See above.

The Eiffel tower does make an impression.

Tried taking pictures but didn't feel motivated to go up.
Found tour boat and took tour of the Seine. Limited view cause of the rain and uninspired commentary. After boat cruise walked over to the Louvre where there was supposed to be tourist info. I was told that it was in the Glass Pyramid. Got there and I am told I have to buy ticket for the Louvre & then I can get in the "quick line". No thanks.

Walking along the pedestrian walk along the Seine two women within 15 minutes find gold ring just as they are passing by me. Amazing (actually the beginning of a classical scam the guidebooks warn you about). Still raining.

I walk over to the other side of the Seine, have a cheap sandwich at Subway and go to Shakespear & Company and buy a book and take the Metro home.

Oct 9 - didn't do much in AM. Was going to Paris Walk (walking tour) The French Revolution but midday I had no energy so slept from about one to five. Little energy but tomorow I am going on the Montmarte walk. JB came home for a few minutes before going off to his Salsa class. He  put my dirty clothes in his washer and I am going to dry them much as I do at home - putting them on an indoor rack to dry. JB & his friend are coming back from Salsa around 9:30 and then I think we all go out for dinner. Must decongest my sinuses before Saturday when I fly.

and this is JB

Oct. 10 - Think I am getting better but not rapidly. hope travel home isnt an ordeal cause of congestion (which can cause ear pain I am told). Download some tips about flying with a cold from the internet. Went on Paris Walk of Montmarte district. Guide was good but group was large and all apparently American. It is a cool wet October and Paris is saturated with tourists.  Paris also has an over abundance of soucvenir shops. After getting back to my area of paris from Montmarte I stopped again at a Subway for a sandwich  & an OJ. The young woman at the counter asked where I was from & when I said Canada it got a reaction. She is leaving shortly for a holiday in Toronto & NY. Very nice young lady. Sat outside to eat & there were three young women at a nearby table. One I could see clearly had pale red hair & a fair complexion, almost Irish but what was most interesting is that her face was very animated during the conversation. Walked back to JBs place & trudge up five floors to his apartment.

Got my laundry which was washed at his place but wasn't drying & went to the laundromat where a helpful young woman showed me how to work the dryer. Not true that parisians are unfriendly or unhelpful. My guess is that many are just overwhelemed with all the tourists.

Cathedralde Notre Dame in the mist with the green boxes being for booksellers of whom there were few open this day.

Postal vehicle

Statue of Charlemagne near the Cathedral of Notre Dame

Store windows

Oct. 11 - So i went out this Am and bought the papr & some food. Quiet AM reading the paper etc. Today I relax, shower & pack & Omaira (she is from Mexico and that is how her name sounds) comes by in the afternoon to practice her English with me. Tonite JB is bringing home a friend for dinner. Tomorow early JB drops me off at the Metro on his way to work I take the metro to the Gare du Norde & the Eurostar. I will have a couple of hours to read & relax before the train leaves.

It is another rainy day in paris.

Me and Omaira

Oct. 12 - Got up early & JB dropped me off at the Mtero. Got to the Gare du Nord & went through check in, passport control etc. Lots early but now I can relax & read the paper etc. Still stuffed up.

Went for a walk, coff with JB's friend Omaira so she could practice her English. Pleasant intelligent young woman. Watched troubling incident where man struck woman. Other people there and she kept pushing confrontation and getting in his face literally and shouting at him.

Met JBs friend from his MBA program, Anne-marie. Nice and Interesting woman.

JB has been a great host and may be coming to Canada in the distant future when I hope I can return his hospitality.

Getting thru UKpassport control before eurostar border person was curious that my stay in the UK would be 22 hours & that I would be sleeping at the airport. No problem. Just curious.

Oct. 13 - 5:30 AM So yesterday I ditched my pack at the left Luggage at Victoria station & was wandering around the central open area of the British Museum when i was hailed. At first I thought it be can't be but it was & I had a coffee w/Mike Cantle from Golden. Didn't go into the Shakespeare exhibit I was thinking of because of time so I wandered around the West End and had something to eat at Pret a Manger. Saw Much Ado About Nothing which was set in India and very enjoyable. Chatted with one of the ushers about the Vice Presidents debate in the US which had happened the night before. Walked over to Victoria Station and got my pack with 45 minutes to spare. To Gatwich & to sleep (not well or long) and at 5:30 it was busy again. Flew home and picked up my car at Kathleen's (thank you Kathleen) and drrove home very happy it wasnt further. Happy to be home.

Next year I have some exotic places in mind - Port Hardy, maybe Bella Coola, Prince Rupert & Haida Gwaii. Places that I haven't been. I suspect that many of the people I met while I was away would find these places exotic and fascinating and I think I want to see more of my home province. With the exception of Trieste I would be happy to go back to Turkey, the Balkans or Paris all of which I am sure of much more of interest and people I would be happy to see more of. if I ever get back to Paris I will steer clear of the standard tourist attractions as I think the real Paris would be much more interesting.