Day 1...
All has been good even with a major crash of ALL of my students veterans research over the past 10 years...don't sweat the small stuff they say, well that is a biggie and I should be sweating like Niagara Falls, then again not much I can do but try to recover everything from past blogs(sounds like a summer project on the deck!!).
Back to the more important task at hand, getting these fine young ladies and gentlemen across the pond!!! Well we are officially off and away. It was a great flight from Charlottetown to Montreal and a quick hop over to our gate and we are about to take off for Charles de Gaulle aeroport (Going to slip in as much French as possible...it needs some work!!!)
In a little over 6 hours and we will be in Paris, these kids are in for an eye opener right off the bat!! All is well and I will let you know how well and if they slept at all. Most are marvelling at the size of the 777 we are on, in fact it seats about 450 passengers, butTanner can only think of what will be served and when is it coming. Tanner and I we were seat buddies to Montreal and I was fed well, so I shouldn't be complaining. But on this longer flight we are just row buddies and I am assuming I will not get any leftovers...then again I am bigger and in charge !!!! Lift off in this big bird....chat later folks and as always on day 1 of the adventure it rolls into day 2 so I will post as much as I can ...relying on internet connection of course ....and let you all know how everyone is doing !!! Au revoir de Montreal et bienvenue at Paris demain matin!!
The flight over went extremely well and I was amazed at how smooth everything was in this gigantic plane, I loved it! My normal pattern is movie, eat, snooze, movie #2....that pretty much secures the entire flight is broken up in manageable chunks. Tanner and I were able to secure an extra supper which made us both happy!! The kids are getting rave reviews from the flight attendants about their politeness. This is something that I often take for granted because of my overall general expectations. Way to go guys!!!
The flight has also allowed us to grow together as a group, some closer than others based on the proximity of the seating of course. Like Tanner and I and the incessant chatter about how much food we may or may not receive on particular flights. Then there is Riley and Tanner who caught some shut eye with each one lending a helping hand...well maybe just Riley lending a helping shoulder!!! They remind me of Yogi and Boo-Boo one of my favorite cartoons from my childhood. Lets see if you agree?
(that's Eiffel Tower for those not able to translate) oh yes and it's raining. Europe how did you know I was coming back? I need to make sure EF doesn't broadcast my arrival in 2017, but aside from the rain it hasn't stopped the crowds. Today is a holiday and therefore all museums are closed and thus the dense population at the large attractions. This is the largest crowd I have ever seen at the base of the tower . As we wait
in the queue for about 30-35 minutes we finally get our billets(French again!!) We are off, not running but walking, this thing is big!!! 1 step 2 steps...98 steps...99...100....200...300...finally 400 and we are on the new CN tower inspired glass floor...Hailey is nervous...just like the Habs are with playing the Lightning ....actually maybe not as much .....the rain is falling and keeping the kids awake which is a good thing. It may seem like a form of torture but we need to keep them awake in order to get them on schedule for the rest of the tour, and staying at the tower for about 2 hours we are then off for a fairly sizeable jaunt to Les Invalides (The Invalids ;)
and then onto Napoleons tomb; however, we are unable to go into Napoleon's tomb, but the 24 carat gold some is pretty impressive to say the least. Wonder how it repels the snow?? May get one for home!
Kids are now sitting down to eat at Flam's. which is traditional Alsatian pizza. The kids are tired after almost two days of traveling but are doing pretty well, except for Liam and Robin who are eating pizza while asleep it seems, actually on second thought that is pretty impressive.
Our last stop will be Mont Matre and Sacre Coeur, which on most nights offers just about the best view of Paris that doesn't include climbing 2000 steps(this is only 500 steps) This will be our last stop and will get the kids back about 10 PM which will give them a great night's sleep. And on that note....to quote my favorite movies of all time...also this is what I probably look like! I have been up since 4 AM on the 30th of April!!! Take care and chat tomorrow from Lille and our busy day in Thelus cemetery and Vimy!! Always my favorite part of the tour! I will also introduce you all to the inspiration for these pilgrimmages, Corporal Charles John Clue!! A demain tout le monde!!!
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In a little over 6 hours and we will be in Paris, these kids are in for an eye opener right off the bat!! All is well and I will let you know how well and if they slept at all. Most are marvelling at the size of the 777 we are on, in fact it seats about 450 passengers, butTanner can only think of what will be served and when is it coming. Tanner and I we were seat buddies to Montreal and I was fed well, so I shouldn't be complaining. But on this longer flight we are just row buddies and I am assuming I will not get any leftovers...then again I am bigger and in charge !!!! Lift off in this big bird....chat later folks and as always on day 1 of the adventure it rolls into day 2 so I will post as much as I can ...relying on internet connection of course ....and let you all know how everyone is doing !!! Au revoir de Montreal et bienvenue at Paris demain matin!!The flight over went extremely well and I was amazed at how smooth everything was in this gigantic plane, I loved it! My normal pattern is movie, eat, snooze, movie #2....that pretty much secures the entire flight is broken up in manageable chunks. Tanner and I were able to secure an extra supper which made us both happy!! The kids are getting rave reviews from the flight attendants about their politeness. This is something that I often take for granted because of my overall general expectations. Way to go guys!!!
The flight has also allowed us to grow together as a group, some closer than others based on the proximity of the seating of course. Like Tanner and I and the incessant chatter about how much food we may or may not receive on particular flights. Then there is Riley and Tanner who caught some shut eye with each one lending a helping hand...well maybe just Riley lending a helping shoulder!!! They remind me of Yogi and Boo-Boo one of my favorite cartoons from my childhood. Lets see if you agree?
Day 2...
Arrival was pretty much uneventful. As mentioned before this large plane is very smooth. Some sleepy people disembarking and one lost passport...not Three Oaks but whose keeping track anyways??? HAHA!! Seriously, its all good, the passport in question fell out on plane and because each group has copies we were able to get back on plane with help of customs and find it in no time. And don't bother asking, I am not giving up the perpetrator of the feat...you can ask when you get home!!!
After clearing customs without any issues, grabbing our bags and finally leaving airport, the kids have been introduced to our Tour director David Harrod, a Londoner. These kids are in for a wonderful and punctual tour!!! Trust me!!! Overall the kids are tired and have changed into some fresh clothes and are ready to hit the town. Essentially we have been up for over 24 hours and with some jet lag setting in they are doing great with all things considered. On tap for the rest of the day is lunch, go figure but Tanner has got me extremely interested in that stop, the Eiffel Tower and Mont Matre and the Sacre Coeur Basilica. All of this will be completed via the metro, the best way to get around a crowded city of only 2.2 million people, but one that is not built for that many, so extremely crowded at times!!!
This very new transportation experience for many has been excellent!! No lost travellers and not even a close call(knock on wood) to this point. After 9 stops on the metro we walk out of the underground and voila, the piece de resistance le Tour Eiffel
(that's Eiffel Tower for those not able to translate) oh yes and it's raining. Europe how did you know I was coming back? I need to make sure EF doesn't broadcast my arrival in 2017, but aside from the rain it hasn't stopped the crowds. Today is a holiday and therefore all museums are closed and thus the dense population at the large attractions. This is the largest crowd I have ever seen at the base of the tower . As we wait  |
| Les Invalides |
 |
| Napoleon's Tomb |
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| Sacre Coeur Basilique |
Our last stop will be Mont Matre and Sacre Coeur, which on most nights offers just about the best view of Paris that doesn't include climbing 2000 steps(this is only 500 steps) This will be our last stop and will get the kids back about 10 PM which will give them a great night's sleep. And on that note....to quote my favorite movies of all time...also this is what I probably look like! I have been up since 4 AM on the 30th of April!!! Take care and chat tomorrow from Lille and our busy day in Thelus cemetery and Vimy!! Always my favorite part of the tour! I will also introduce you all to the inspiration for these pilgrimmages, Corporal Charles John Clue!! A demain tout le monde!!!
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