I am finally off! Took off for Amsterdam at 4:20 today, oct 29, small quick detour in Detroit and then a straight shot, with noone sitting next to me thank goodness as I miht have killed someone with my tossing and turning. No complaints on the flight, good food,good,service,good movies,smooth sailing.
Oct 30, touched down right on time, weather was looking a bit crazy so sat down and decided on plan b. As I am sitting in the airport I am amazed and thrilled at how many dogs keep walking by..just don;t see this in the US. I miss Taie.
Decided on a train to Brussels, Belgium and then to Paris and on a night train to Barcelona Spain. I am astonished at how incredibly punctual the trains are hbere, if they say the train pulls in at 8:38 it;s there at 8:38 so move..
As we pulled out of Amsterdam I was thrilled to see the countryside lined with windmills and fluffy sheep, and canals and people on narrow paths on bikes waiting for the train to pass. I am sitting here eating my whole wheat bagette with brie and tomatoes, and a red bull! I love the train. oh did I mention I am not thrilled with my packing, shut up Mike! (how is the knee/ankle?) On my next jaunt I am seriously bringing one outfit and some undies and will buy what I think I need. My bag is ok cause of the wheels, however there are a lot of stairs in the train stations!! The messenger `bag and purse are heavy and hurting my trapisius..and even the train had all the toiletries I needed!! That being said..made all my transfers from stations around Paris,got to walk around a bit as I had a couple hours between trains, as lovely as I remember!
Trenhotel left gare Auberlitz Paris at 8:32 pm, I have my own little locked off sleeper room, 2 pull down beds and a sink,small but cozy. Pull out just in time to see the city of lights in all it's glory!!
no sleep yet, possibly an hour on the plane..and I am tired already of paying to pee and manouvering my luggage through the mechanical tiny gates to get into the pay bathroom!! must be a little cranky!!
Bed on train was comfy and I slept a little. Missed out on seeing all the lovely wine country as I selpt and we traveled down through the Burgundy, Beaujolais regions.
