Monday, September 15, 2008

September 12, 2008










September 10, 2008

Wow, someone was sure looking out for us! The fire in the Chunnel between England and France was the day following our trip. If that fire had occurred immediately before or on the day we were traveling, we would have been in a Royale mess. We heard on the news it was going to take three days before the tunnel would be reopened. Three days with no accommodations and lugging around eight, 55 pound bags would not have been a pretty sight.

However, we made it just in time. The Euro Star station in London is modern and beautiful! Ed tried to take photos, but was promptly told no pictures were allowed and had to delete them. But, before getting caught, we had already taken two in the waiting lounge! The First Class accommodations in the station were quite comfortable. And, on the train, brunch and champagne made the trip go quickly. We really didn’t realize we had passed through the Chunnel until we were in France and checked GPS on the iPhone! It’s was a very quick trip. The countryside is mostly agriculture, but pleasant scenery.

When we arrived at the Paris, Gare du Nord train station, the waiting line for taxis looked like the ride queue for “Space Mountain.” Dorothea stood in line for the taxi while I, probably unnecessarily, watched our stuff. I doubt if any sensible thief would have risked a hernia trying to cart it off. Regardless, while standing there doing my duty, on three different times, gypsies (they didn’t actually have a sign saying they were gypsies but they did look the part), approached me asking if I could speak English. Responding, I replied with corresponding hand gesture, “Nien, Ich nich, sprecken Deutshe, verboten, verboten, nadda, nadda, vamoose!” They kind of looked at me quizzickly and left.

On the way to the hotel, we asked the taxi driver if he took British Sterling Pounds for payment. Emphatically, he said no. Having no other currency except credit cards, which were not accepted, I had to come up with a way to make payment. Thinking I had thought of everything by opening an HSBC Bank account before I left the States, I asked him to stop and wait while I made an Euro withdraw from one of the Paris branches. That’s when the fun began. I tried my brand new HSBC debit card and couldn’t get it to work. I went inside to get help which made things even more complicated. After about a half an hour of trying to communicate with the French Bank reps and my US rep, the taxi driver came in, visibly irritated, speaking a mile a minute in French, which I didn’t understand but knew he wasn’t too pleased with this American. He got in the middle of the discussions and things got deeper and deeper and I’m thinking, this cab fare is going cost more than our plane tickets. Finally, HSBC gave me a 100 Euro emergency advance and we were on our way.

Our Paris hotel, the Royal Cardinal, is located in the Latin Quarter, close to St. Germain, Notre Dame and is centralized for seeing many of the sites. But the hotel . . . built before Napoleon’s parents were born, well, it left something to be desired. Not anything close to the hotel in London, which was fabulous. Live and learn. But, the architectural sights and the whole Parisian atmosphere made it bearable. The buildings and statuary are truly amazing. The effort that went into creating both is beyond my imagination. Having designed many and built a few homes, it is truly remarkable what was done with limited knowledge and tools of 500 to 700 years ago.

We walked to Notre Dame – what a beautiful cathedral. Seeing it up close and personal is just jaw dropping. We were lucky enough to see a special video presentation in the cathedral at 9:00 pm which reviews the history of Notre Dame.

Brasseries are everywhere and as they say – wine truly is cheaper than water! Patisseries tempt you at every corner with their pastries, desserts and breads.

Ed and Dorothea

Thursday, September 11, 2008

September 10, 2008










September 9, 2008

Monday, the Queen Mum invited us over to her cottage to show us around and watch some of her boys come to work.











The process was preceded by a contingent of 12 Cavalrymen making their way through the streets of London. The mounted soldiers, in full dress regalia polished to a high sheen were quite a sight. They were 20 or 30 feet away from us and even though the riders were all young kids, as they came by, the collective group projected an aura of total superiority. It’s no wonder the use of the Calvary in warfare was so effective. I can not image the thoughts of adversaries on foot who stood before them with a sword or rifle in hand knowing they might be able to deliver a single blow before they were ground into the earth.

In a way, connecting with the affluence and pageantry of a monarch is a little hard for a liberal. But, contemplating the longevity of the British and their enormous contributions, it’s good to see them continue with traditions that give us a glimpse back in time.






Almost all of the English people we have encountered have been very nice. However, they don’t seem to be a patient lot. Getting them to explain something or clarify a point is mostly met with a noticeable disdain. None the less, we’re getting along with them quite well. That is except walking on the sidewalks. London is a very busy, multi-national town. The streets are always crowded with cars, buses, bikes and motorcycles and the sidewalks filled with people that could pass for a United Nations Convention. As such, the pedestrians don’t always follow a set traffic pattern. It seems most of the local English want to walk on the left side just as they drive. You can tell who they are because they oppose our direction on the right side and do not freely yield. We keep getting these stares, like, “… what the hell is wrong with you, get to the left.”

Also, all the drivers are preparing for a spot on a LeMann’s race team which makes crossing the streets a real adrenalin rush, especially when you’re accustomed to looking left before you cross. On more than one occasion, I’ve looked left, saw there was no traffic, took a step off of the curb and, …woosh, I’m almost wearing a coat of paint from a passing BMW. Between my peripheral vision and Dorothea’s tugs, I’ve been saved. But, Dorothea has said as long as we are in London she doesn’t want to walk on my right side any longer.

In addition to getting around on the “Tube” and double-decker busses, we did a LOT of walking. So, today we are nursing our blisters and bruised shins and making an effort to adjust to the time change. We had a nice lunch today, a “Ploughman’s Lunch” in a unique establishment called a “Whole Foods Food Hall.” So much food, so little time.

Wednesday, we take the “EuroStar” through the Chunnel under the channel to Paris. Once again, we will be contributing to the cabby’s, porters and bell hops welfare. Soon, we will be stopping long enough so our average daily budget can catch up and we can eat something besides the crackers we brought.

Queen Mum has a spectacular place! As she is gone for the summer, she allows you to visit her home. I personally love her gaudy taste – gold, gold and more gold! The ballroom set for a state dinner for 150 was spectacular. They measure the distance of the plates to the edge of the table to make sure everything is perfectly aligned. From what we saw, we have a few ideas to pass along to Jake our Club manager.

During our walk, we had to stop and visit Harrod’s. Although it is characterized as a tourist type department store, I am still totally enthralled with this huge store – it literally has everything - and in such luxurious settings. I really could spend a whole day there. Since I was there last – a long time ago- they have added a Food Hall, which seems to be a very popular food shopping concept here. Wow! Two floors of cheeses, meats, pastries, breads, seafood, candy, etc. along with many small food bars to sit and eat while shopping. Spectacular!

Lunch at heralded “The Wolseley” in Picadilly was less than great, food was good (expensive) with a “cover” charge (no entertainment, except the patrons), and wait staff is quite snobby as reviews often note.

Can’t wait for our trip to Paris tomorrow morning.

Cheers – off to dinner!

Dorothea and Ed

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Photos





























We MADE it!!!!















Wow!

Finally, after a loooooooonnnnnnnnngggggggg planning time, it's Sunday evening and we are sitting in London!

On Saturday, Sep. 6th, our departure date, we got up at 5:30 am to finish our last minute preparations. We made reservations for an airport shuttle to pick us up at 9:45. We literally worked double time from 5:30 until the van arrived at 9:40. All throughout our planning process we made a lot of progress in accomplishing goals and objectives. However, being totally ready was determined in the last few minutes. The last, final tick of the clock decided for us that we were totally ready, whether we wanted to be or not.

We went out earlier today to explore the Kensington area where we are staying. Other than that we haven't done much. We've been gone about 26 hours are making a good start at contributing to the financial welfare of travel related personnel such as shuttle companies, skycaps, porters, cabby's, and bellmen.

While waiting for the Gatwich Express to take us to Victoria Station, we noticed one of London's Public Works Projetcs. Since at lot of Bostonians hail from England, I now know why Boston's "Great Dig" took so long. If you'll notice in the photo we took, those are plants growing in that temporary overhead debris barrier.

The Delta flight over was great. Dorothea, in her incredible way had the foresight to upgrade us to 1st class. What a difference!! If it wasn't for a few of our fellow passengers, who evidently were traveling to Europe in search of a cure of their flatulence, the flight would have been perfect.

Ed

During our walk we noticed cars park both ways on the street, but what really caught our eye was this cute little car - and we hope the car we are buying in Paris is bigger than this! All the bellhops, porters, etc. wondered if we were moving over here with all of the luggage we have!

Tomorrow's plans include viewing the Changing of the Guard and a tour of Buckingham Palace, strolling through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park and finding a great place to have fish and chips! But for now it's good night - - the time change and little sleep has caught up with me!

Dorothea
p.s.
See photos in next "Post" until we get this figured out.