A Frustrating Beginning for our Guests in Paris
Bonjour mes amis,
It’s such an amazing world we live in today. The minute my daughter’s plane landed at Charles de Gaulle, we were able to text back and forth and I could track her exact whereabouts. Unfortunately, her first text to me was “The flight of annoying noises!! Screaming (obnoxiously) baby, cat freaked out in its crate, crinkling of who knows what all through the night, and then a phone alarm that no one wanted to claim for 20 minutes during landing.” I looked at Bernie and said, “Oh, dear. Not a great start.”
Then the texts flew back and forth in regard to the cab driver who didn’t speak any English and his crazy driving which made them horribly motion sick. He wouldn’t take a credit card so we agreed that I would pay cash when they arrived. When Natalie and Carson stepped out of the cab, they were both close to throwing up! Bienvenue à Paris! It was not the Hollywood moment I had hoped for, to be sure.
Though I had forewarned that their rooms would likely not be ready until mid-afternoon, that fact had not registered and added to the frustration. The hotel worked hard to get them into a room in about thirty minutes. As they started to unpack, it became clear that Delta had done them a terrible disservice. The suitcases had gotten drenched in the rain in Atlanta and many of their clothes (especially Emily’s) had gotten very wet and stayed that way across the Atlantic. We sorted through everything, I ran to the apartment and got my big laundry bag, and Bernie, Carson and I were off to the Laverie four blocks up the street to dry all the clothes. Again, not what I have envisioned!
I hope you’re chuckling by now, but it wasn’t particularly funny then. The day did get much better. When people are functioning on three hours of sleep, nothing turns out terribly well. I have to give special kudos to Carson who was a trooper through it all. He was polite and observant and seemed to take everything in, even the Laverie. Bernie walked him through La Place des Vosges while the clothes were drying for his first history lesson. He was cooperative and positive all day, but I have no doubt that he will sleep well tonight. I am so proud of him
There’s a lot to learn for a 12-year old about moving around in Paris: safely crossing the busy streets, flushing a toilet, figuring out a menu, hearing the cadence of a foreign language, and tiny elevators. Tomorrow, we’ll teach him about the subway.
We did a walking tour to the river, across to the islands, Notre Dame, and the Shakespeare bookstore including an early dinner at a favorite spot overlooking the river. And lo and behold, they did have chicken fingers and fries on a kid’s menu. Carson was indeed happy.
We parted at 7:30 with wishes of a good night’s sleep for all.
I hope you especially enjoy the lovers of the day!
Let me know if the three videos were viewable.
Tomorrow…le Louvre and the Mona Lisa.
A bientôt
L & B
July 12, 2021 @ 2:30 am
No videos- sorry. Excited for day 2!! It should be good…unless WE are the ones drenched today, ha! 😜😂
July 12, 2021 @ 3:09 am
When I clicked on the IMG it came though and played for me!
July 12, 2021 @ 2:53 am
I felt their pain. And I didn’t chuckle at all!!! I envy all the wonderful adventures they’re in store for. Whoops, ended with a preposition. Hope the Louvre won’t be a crowded as was with us.
July 12, 2021 @ 3:11 am
Thank you Linda for making your blog again and letting us be with you. I especially loved the art work at the new cafe yesterday…what a nice thing to be able to really look while waiting your order!
The older lovers were perfect! That will be the winner this year for sure!!! I am relieved your family arrived safely through all the problems, which are always memorable and as you said sort of amusing when distanced from them! May the rest of their visit be wonderful and the cooler weather hold for them too.
Sad to say the videos didn’t play, for me any way…the 1st and the last video (audio only) were the same ones. It could be my slower internet…wait to see what others say.
Again, glad to see you both in fine fettle and have a wonderful 3 months (wow)!
July 12, 2021 @ 12:24 pm
Nice to have you along again! Remind me where you are.
July 12, 2021 @ 4:11 am
Wonderful pictures! I’m sure Carson and Emily will always remember this trip fondly. Loved the picture of the dancers and lovers… Thanks
July 12, 2021 @ 10:32 am
Those two “old people” look great, and look like a lot of fun!
July 12, 2021 @ 11:59 am
So happy they made it and had seasoned pros in Paris to help them over the initial bumps! Viewing on an iPad and no videos, but the images are wonderful. So many memories in the making for all of you. Hope you all have a fun and problem-free day!
July 12, 2021 @ 12:16 pm
The good news in all the troubles is that everything is downhill from here on in, I pray. Your pictures are great of you and your family members. It’s certainly to your family’s credit, lacking sleep, that they were able to make it until 7:30. Today will be a new day!!!
July 12, 2021 @ 1:07 pm
Vancouver Island, Canada…and nice to see other friends journeying with you again too.
July 12, 2021 @ 1:12 pm
Glad that Natalie and crew made it, albeit with a few “wrinkles”. All missteps are now behind and it is all good from here on!!
I WAS able to view the videos, think two were the same however.
The “old ” lovers were wonderful!!!!
Have a super day!!!!!
July 12, 2021 @ 1:35 pm
I’m sure the negative beginning to the trip will quickly fade. We’ve all had those flights — one of mine was coming into France ,too. They are fortunate to have such seasoned and amorous tour guides! 🙂
July 12, 2021 @ 1:42 pm
Great that Natalie and crew are going to be there for Bastille Day. Will they be there when those bicyclers roll into town on the 18th? Do your visitors have any special places that they each would like to visit? Do you know the words that not visible at the top of the stairs? Thank you.
July 12, 2021 @ 6:35 pm
They are departing at 10:30 on the day of the Tour finish! Read the stairs from the bottom up and the last rung must be the author of the quote.
July 12, 2021 @ 2:02 pm
Boy howdy this is a trip they will ALWAYS remember!! Hope the rest of the trip remains wonderous and memorable….in the most positive sense possible!!
July 12, 2021 @ 5:30 pm
I’m sorry their flight was bad! Ours was delayed, but very pleasant with no screaming babies or yelling teens or maskless old folks. The taxi ride is just normal, but the wet clothes! Oh no! That is terrible! So glad you could get them back on track. I have to say Emily looks like she would fit right in with a bunch of French mademoiselles!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:37 pm
Happy travels! Send pictures!
July 12, 2021 @ 5:38 pm
The craziest things when you travel (like all the things that go wrong) make the BEST stories over time!! Enjoy!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:10 pm
I am so glad that Natalie, Carson and Emily arrived safely after a few bumps in the road. I feel quite sure that not even a suitcase full of wet clothes could dampen Emily’s excitement for the adventure ahead. What a wonderful opportunity for her to experience this magical city with all of you! The photos are beautiful and a lovely way for me to experience my granddaughter’s first trip Europe. Thanks to you, Bernie and Natalie!
July 12, 2021 @ 6:36 pm
Emily was thrilled to read your comment. Thanks for joining us! She did the Brandy Melville shopping spree this afternoon.
July 12, 2021 @ 8:32 pm
Great to see you two in a lovers photo. Perfect! Your guests will quickly rebound from their annoying trip, wet clothes and all. I hope you will make some wonderful memories with them. Should be a busy, fun week ahead.