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Hobbit Hole XIII: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1170490/posts |
Posted on 06/26/2004 8:07:15 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
Yeah, although it was kinda funny last night on the way home. Mrs. and Jr. were competing to tell trip stories. She'll have more and I'll post some pics, here are a couple of things:
In Paris (aaack, ptui), the bus driver acted like you'd expect the typical French to act. Took them to the wrong hotel (apparently there are several by that name). While the tour leaders were inside trying to check everyone in, the bus driver unloaded their luggage. Everyone had been waiting on the bus, but since their luggage was now sitting on the street, the got off. Then the bus driver left. In the end they had to drag their luggage and the sound equipment they brought about a mile thru the streets of Paris to the correct hotel.
Same bus company took them to the wrong airport terminal when they left Paris for Slovakia.
Best story though (so far). One morning, our local guy in Slovakia took a few of them to the historic district. She said it was just as you would picture old Europe. The shops were not open so the streets were basically empty. As they were walking up the hill they heard a violin. They came upon an old man sitting in the doorway playing the violin. She told it better, but it was just kinda poetic.
I read about how they are one of the few fish that actually pay attention to people outside the tank. Just now, Joshua came in here and was looking at it and it was looking back at him very intently...
Now Joshua wants it everywhere he is...he's currently sitting with it at the table while he's eating his cereal! LOL
Joshua said "It looks like a mermaid..." (except he can't say his r's very well and it comes out "muhmaid"!)
Typical French. Gosh, what a terrible place. Even out in "the country" the people were rude and grumpy.
One place I never want to go back to.
Yeah. All of our adult (non youth group) mission trips have a side trip scheduled with them. Had I been planning, I would not have scheduled Paris. I would've gone for Rome or Vienna, or just about anywhere else.
Other than visiting Normandy, I can't think of a reason I'd want to go to France. Not even to trace my Huguenot ancestors.
Heh...Mrs. bought some in the airport on her way home. Jr. had eaten most of 'em before we got to the house.
I understand your point about the architechture and history. But there's plenty more architechture and history elsewhere in Europe. I'd choose to see those first.
Morning everyone!
Got in late today and already have a pile of stuff to do. *sigh*
Jen - have a safe trip and I hope you find something just perfect!
Fedora - I ~wish~ I had the She Hulk's body, that's for sure!
Corin - My mom had kids VEY young, so don't sweat it! :-)
Hair - I know you've got a long drive ahead of you today. Stay safe, chica!
2J - I have 4 Bettas. They're great and easy fish and are much hardier than goldfish. It's a shame they can't be in the same tank together because they'd be so lovely swimming with each other. I bought a 2.5 gallon tank with 2 glass dividers (to create 3 sections). And then I have a small tank for the extra fish which I rescued from someone who was neglecting it very badly.
I just think that we can get too caught up in stereotypes to enjoy the good that DOES exist in places like France. Granted, some of the stereotypes are earned...but there is a great deal of beauty and culture in Paris that is unique TO Paris, and it's worth seeing. Not to mention that for art, it's one of the capitals of the world. I could have spent a lot more time than I did at the Louvre, and I'm not even really an art person.
Now...that doesn't necessarily mean it'd be the first place I'd pick if I could only pick one place...but I'm certainly glad I've been there.
I understand. It's just not on my hit parade. ;-)
Some of the folks went to the Louvre, but were disappointed that they didn't have time to see much. I got a chuckle out of that. In a recent sermon our senior pastor talked about being in Paris with his wife. They were disappointed that the lines at the Louvre were so long So they went to a smaller museum and had a wonderful time.
I reckon some of the choir members might start paying closer attention to the sermons.
You've got Hugueonot ancestors? That's surprising on so many levels.
Grr. Nothing like an hour-long conference call to make you want to sit around airport terminals. At least I'll be able to read, then.
We were fortunate...when we went, there weren't very long lines at all. It was kinda off season, I guess - right after Christmas. There was a line to see the Mona Lisa up close, but that's about it.
We just didn't have as much time as I'd have liked to wander around.
We also went to another museum whose name I'd recognize if I heard it, but don't know off the top of my head...got to see a bunch of Monets. THAT was vey cool, especially since it was a dream come true for one of the girls I was with. She was sooo thrilled to be there.
One thing I think is nutty about the way we are, is that up till 100 years ago, ornate and intricate architecture was common. Now, when power tools could make building architecture like that fast and easier and more precise even, we build stark square boxes and understand that anything ornate would be too expensive. Does that make sense to anyone?
You're very right!
We just don't make as many beautiful things these days. It's a real shame.
I figured you'd like being compared to She-Hulk better than to Hulk, so I posted that to redeem myself! Didn't want to make Ruthy angry--you wouldn't like her when she's angry. . .
Do you have to have four tanks for the four Bettas, then? That's a lot of tank space!
Yep. I thought we had discussed that. My family web pages are desperately out of date, but my family Huguenot story is here. We actually live not too far from where my line of Huguenots settled in Virginia.
That was my dad's side. The Wesley-Methodist Circuit Rider was on my mom's side. ;-)
Oh, we probably did discuss it... that's cool, anyway, and they don't count as French if they got kicked out.
No way I'm going to get everything done before I leave. Does that mena I should just give up?
That's certainly the standard I live by.
It would make life easier... sigh. I suppose I can do at least a little..
See ya.... I am out of here now. Back tonight!
Safe travels!
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