Paris - Day 1

We were planning on being in a big rush on the first day in Paris.  The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so we HAD to get there on Monday after the plane ride.  So, after arriving 2 hours and 40 minutes behind schedule, we were in a bigger rush than expected.  But, there was no need.  We were planning on riding a bus called the RoissyBus from the airport to the Opera metro (subway) station and then going to our hotel via metro to drop off our luggage.  However, we soon noticed that NO ONE was leaving the airport!  No cars were leaving, no people were getting on buses or into taxis.  Soon after, we notices French soldiers with automatic weapons and policemen everywhere.  What was going on?  We still have no idea to this day...why?  We don't speak French.  And, apparently, no one who knew what was going on spoke English either.

Then...a LOUD bang!  We're not really sure what that was all about either, but none of the people who actually spoke French seemed very concerned about it and after 1.5 hours of waiting, we were allowed to leave the airport...FINALLY.  So, we were officially over 4 hours behind schedule at this point.  We make it to the hotel without any problems and checked in around 3:00 p.m.  We LOVED our hotel!  It was really quaint and tucked into a cute little Parisian neighborhood.  We basically threw our luggage into the room and RAN to the metro station so that we could spend 2 hours in the Louvre...a place where we could've easily stayed 4 hours.  It was absolutely amazing.  It's so difficult to describe, but you are just surrounded by beauty and historical works of art.  Some of the paintings are over 30 feet high!  Just stunning!  Here are some of my favorite pics from the Louvre:

Courtyard of the Louvre

Infamous glass pyramid

Winged Victory

Venus de Milo

For Coldplay fans

Mona...she was VERY popular!

We were definitely bummed out about having to rush through the Louvre so quickly, but we did get to see all of the highlights.  By this time, our feet were hurting already and we were HUNGRY!!!  So, we just found our way to the museum atrium (under the glass pyramid) and ate some pre-packaged sandwiches and drank some Cokes for about 20 euros...such a ripoff, but we didn't care!  After (sadly) leaving the Louvre after only 2 hours, we found our way back to the hotel via the metro and crashed for the night...we were SO TIRED!  We went to bed early because we had a lot of things to see on Tuesday.

P.S. to see my full review of Hotel Valadon on tripadvisor.com, click here.

Day 1...A Perfect Itinerary crushed in just 3 hours

Our flight from DFW to Paris was scheduled as nonstop.  It was on-time and pulled away from the gate at 5:35 p.m., exactly as scheduled.  We had pretty good seats...there's never enough room when you're supposed to be sleeping on an overnight flight in coach, but we didn't have much to complain about.  However, I noticed that there was a paramedic boarding the plane with us.  He worked for American Airlines and chatted with the flight attendants on the way into the plane.  He took his seat in first class (along with what looked like a 3 year old boy - LUCKY).  Well, about 2 hours into the flight, just after our meal of lasagna and/or beef stroganoff, I saw the paramedic as well as another woman with a stethoscope make their way to the back of the plane...oh no!  I knew something was up at that point, but we couldn't see to the back of the plane where everyone was headed.  I even nudged Brett's elbow to point it out.  No one seemed too concerned though.  However, no more than 30 minutes later we hear, "This is your captain speaking" (oh, GREAT).  "Unfortunately, there is a passenger on the plane with a medical emergency.  We will be making an emergency stop in Chicago to drop him off."

I am a pretty compassionate person, but I couldn't help but be a little frustrated by this.  My PERFECT itinerary crushed in under 3 hours.  We were pressed for time as it was in Paris!  So, we stopped at Chicago O'Hare to drop him off.  I said a little prayer for him as he was carted off the plane.  Here are the first two official pics of our trip:

We were just hoping that this wasn't a sign of how our whole trip was going to go!  Anyway, we were in Chicago for about 2.5 hours.  Apparently, getting the man off the plane is the only emergency; unscheduled take offs are apparently frowned upon.  The only good thing was that we actually got to stand up and stretch a little.  After our plane inspection and "brake cooling" period was finished, we headed to Paris 2.5 hours behind schedule.  Brett and I both slept off and on for minutes at a time; no "real" sleep, but it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it.  We received a very Parisian breakfast of croissant and jam, yogurt and juice.  It was good enough for me!  I didn't expect a whole post just for the plane ride, but it was eventful, I guess :)

Sorry for the delay

I must take a minute to apologize to everyone for not getting blogs and pictures from the trip posted.  Brett was in a car accident last week and things have seemed so crazy.  His car is most likely totaled, but he is OK and that is what's important.  So, between traveling to Fort Worth and Abilene this weekend, negotiating with insurance companies and getting some much-needed spring cleaning done (oh...and working), I haven't had much quality blog time.  But, I promise all info and pics are soon to come...Sorry for the delay!

Preparation for take off

My last week at work prior to departure was CRAZY to say the least.  Dr. Harvey was on call for both Dr. Joseph and Dr. Collier who were both out for Spring Break.  This means that we see all of our normal patients in the hospital and in clinic PLUS all of their hospital patients as well...phew.  It was busy.  To make matters worse, Amy (Dr. Harvey's other nurse and right-hand woman) was out for Wed - Fri spending time with her son for Spring Break as well.  It was crazy, but I survived.  I think I left there around 7:30 on Friday and couldn't wait to get home.  I was so tired, but all I could think about was packing and making lists...lol.

Saturday morning I was feeling the stress leave my body.  I went to do some last minute shopping for deodorant (for Brett, of course), Crystal Lights to go, ziplock bags...just random things.  I did buy a last-minute life saver at Eddie Bauer...some awesome waterproof pants (decided I needed them after looking at the rainy forecast for all three countries.  Mom and I went to get a pedicure that afternoon and it was nice to spend some time with her and just relax.  Then, I went home and concentrated on packing.  I don't really remember what Brett did all day, but it definitely wasn't packing :)  Here's a small list of what I ended up taking:

• jeans
• Eddie Bauer black waterproof pants
• khaki capris
• casual black travel pants
• 6 shirts
• PJ pants (can't live without them)
• 2 t-shirts (for sleeping)
• robe (probably could've done without this)
• 2 bras
• 6 pairs of underwear
• 6 pairs of socks
• New Balance low profile running shoes
• Privo flats
• scarf, gloves, hat (low temps in the 30s)
• North Face Apex Bionic jacket
• Hooded rain jacket

Brett basically took one pair of shoes, 6 polo shirt and 6 undershirts, 6 pairs of socks and 6 sets of undies and a jacket...that's it!  

As for other stuff:

• umbrella
• iPods (4 total) & chargers & earphones
• camera & battery
• outlet adapters (3 total)
• hair straightener & hair dryer
• guidebooks (3) & phrasebooks (2) & maps (3)
• granola bars, laffy taffy, gum & Crystal Light to-gos
• Folder full of pertinent flight, train, hotel, taxi, subway & apartment info
• passports & foreign currency
• purse & backback

I'm sure there's more, but that's the gist of it.  Anyway, we fit everything into 2 carry-on sized suitcases & 2 backbacks...we were so proud of ourselves!  We couldn't have done it without the packing cubes and AWESOME suitcases!  We left OKC on Sunday morning at 8:00 after dropping the dog off with GRANDMA!  We made it to Ft. Worth without any trouble and met up with Christine & David at their apartment.  March Madness was on, so we watched the game and then went to eat.  I was nervous about getting a stomach ache, so I ate a turkey wrap.  We arrived at DFW around 3:15 for a 5:30 takeoff.  There was NO ONE there.  It was nice!

We checked in without any issue and headed for Terminal D...we were at our gate area around 3:45.  We propped up our feet near a restaurant and watched the OSU game...a little less than 2 hours from departure of what we thought was going to be a non-stop flight to PARIS...boy, were we wrong...stay tuned to see what happened...

Coming home...

I thought I would be particularly bummed out about coming home.  The truth is, however, that I was excited.  Weird, huh?  I think mostly because Brett & I got to do pretty much everything we wanted to do, so I was satisfied...what a great feeling!!!

I'm slowly going to add our day-to-day adventures...hopefully without boring you to death!  We had a lot of fun and saw so many wonderful things.  If you're even CONSIDERING a European trip, DO IT!!!  You will NOT regret it.  And, if you keep some key things in mind, it won't break the bank either!

There are a few people I want to thank for helping me with the trip.  First of all, my Mom and Dad for watching Lexi and watching over the house while we were gone.  Secondly, my sister Christine and her hubby David for taking us to the airport, dropping off our car and letting us crash at their place after being awake for 24 hours straight!  Last and certainly not least...Minidi!  She's my sister's "soul mate" and best friend from Amarillo who was my guiding light in planning, packing and surviving our budget-friendly European vacation.  Thank you so much for all of your advice!  Like Christine said when dropping us off at DFW...I wish Mindi could see you guys right now; she would be one proud momma!  lol...love you guys!