I'll be making my annual trip to the U.S. next week. I have my plane ticket, my train ticket, and a hotel room reserved at the airport in Paris. My plane departs before noon, so I have to be in the airport pretty early Monday morning. The only way to be sure I don't miss the plane is to go and spend a night either in Paris or out at CDG/Roissy. Staying at the airport is kind of boring, but it's a lot less stressful the morning of the flight — I'm right there.
When I arrive in Paris on Sunday afternoon, I think I'll take a long walk across the city, pulling my suitcase behind me. The exercise will do me good. The walk from the Gare d'Austerlitz over to Les Halles won't take more than an hour. It all depends on the weather, of course, but it's supposed to be dry and fairly mild over the weekend. That's the weather I'm hoping for.
Maybe I'll stop along the way at the Café Louis-Philippe and have a glass of wine or a cup of espresso, or both. I'll eavesdrop on the conversations going on around me. In fact, maybe I'll have lunch. It will be about 2 p.m. when I get there. I used to spend entire weeks, months and even years in Paris. Nowadays I make do with a few hours every once in a while. If I still lived in the U.S., I might not get even that short glimpse of Paris every year.
I don't look forward to spending 8 hours on an airplane and at least 6 hours in airports to get to my destination, but I do look forward to arriving over there and spending time with family and friends. The two weeks will just fly by.
Meanwhile, above are some photos of the big forsythia bush in our back yard here in Saint-Aignan. It's been in full bloom for a while now. As always, you can click or tap on the images to see them at a larger size.
Sue and I wish you a safe journey and an enjoyable time with family and friends. We've now read several of these annual sojourns to the US.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leon and Sue.
DeleteI am wondering if you will show us your annual photos of blooming jacarandas when you fly over Charlotte, just because of the cold weather they've had in that area.
ReplyDeleteKeep checking in, Nadege.
Deletebring your winter coat.....not sure about the NC coast, but here in the woods, it got down to low 20's last nite & we had snow flurries yesterday! spring? bon voyage.....if u come in the direction of Saluda/Hendersonville/Asheville, let me know
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda, it's about 400 miles (650 km) or, by car, 6½ hours from my home town to the town where you live. North Carolina is a big state, especially in the east-west direction. I probably won't drive that far. Last year we went to Charlotte and Rock Hill, but we have no plans for such a trip this year.
DeleteI always enjoy your strolls in Paris (and hope you'll share a photo if you do stop in at Café Louis-Philippe) and the many wonderful photos you post when you visit the U.S.
ReplyDeleteThat Forsythia looks so great!
Unless it rains, I'll be snapping away with the Lumix camera.
DeleteWhen I see your photos of your stroll through Paris, I always pretend I'm walking right beside you (!) - sure wish I could and stop for a citron pressé or perhaps un petit vin to enjoy while watching the people in the street or the café. Enjoy your vacation, Ken. I'm sure your family and friends are eager to see you, too.
ReplyDeleteMary in Oregon
Thanks, Mary. It's Jour J moins 3, as they say in French. I always find flying nerve-racking, for one reason or another.
DeleteKen
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to store your luggage in a Train station locker?
Enjoy your trip and the seafood in NC in the good company of your mum and sis :-)
Hi Beaver, I don't know about luggage storage, but I just want to walk across Paris, weather permitting, without going back to the Gare d'Austerlitz to get the suitcase. I don't carry much when I go to N.C., so it won't be heavy.
DeleteTwo weeks is a very short vacation.
ReplyDeleteI guess it depends on what you are taking a vacation from.
Delete