France - Day 8 & 9 - Paris and Travel Home

Oh dang.  It's technically our last day of vacation.  It always stinks when this day comes around.  I want to keep going.  Can I stomp my feet and scream?  Will anyone care?  Well, get up Mister -- let's get as many hours our of the day as we can.

Our path takes us down the same street as the other day and one of the things in Europe that I simply love is the small shops that people visit daily.  Since we are in BNB's, our rooms have been people's homes.  We have seen how small the kitchens and refrigerators are.  It's obvious that they shop often and the stores back that up.  I LOVE the specialties too ---- pastries, produce, meat, bread, etc.  We have passed stores such as these each day, but today I will share my view.

France - Day 7 - Paris

Good morning Paris!!  We are not sleeping in today.  The agenda is FULL and I'm hoping to check a few things off the list.  We have one "have to" be at a certain time, but other than that ---- let's put the walking shoes on.  I have opted for a dress and sandals today.  Why?  Because it is Paris.  Isn't that enough of a reason?  Starting out, we pass a juice shop and, oh my, that sounds great.  I get a lovely "smoothie" and we are once again on our way.  The first stop is the metro and then off to Notre-Dame.   See, the dress works.  Hello Metro.

France - Day 6 - Lyon and Travel to Paris

Rise and Shine!  We only have 1/2 a day left here and so much still to do.  We are packed and ready to go around noon, but for now -- it's straight to the funicular and up to Fourviere Hill.

Crossing the bridge first thing is wonderful.  Look around.  Do you see anyone?  For a city of 400,000 people it never feels crowded at all.  I simply adore it here.

The funicular will take us most of the way up but we have just been informed that it is not working for the second half and we need to find a bus up there.  No worries, we can do this.

France - Day 5 - Travel to Lyon

Can you say happy dance?  Even at this early hour I am so thrilled to be France bound.  As we come up into the Barcelona Sants station, I feel as though I am in a very large shopping mall.  The walls and floors are gleaming clean and the entire place is sparsely populated.

Locating a spot to sit near the boards and a quick bite to eat is the next order of business and once accomplished, the wait begins to watch for our train.

Our train arrives, the mad rush is on and we are soon boarded, once again in the quiet car and within moments our views of the countryside resume.  Ahhhh.

Spain - Day 4 - Barcelona

Barcelona!!  Day two and we are ready to roll.  Into the tiny elevator we go.  I'm not joking.  If we both have full backpacks, we are wall to wall snug. 

In the first shot, he is outside the elevator, the second one has the door closed behind us and we are looking in the mirror.  Tight quarters.

Now, onto much more entertaining things than an elevator.

How about the view of our door again?  Hahahahahaha.

Spain - Day 3 - Travel to Barcelona

Six a.m. and we have to say good-bye to Madrid.  It's kind of sad because we love it here but more adventures await in Barcelona.  The train station is pretty empty as we arrive.  Hmmm -- lesson learned.  We do NOT have to be at the trains an hour early like airports.  Fifteen minutes is all that is required.  Got it.

Everyone just hangs out near the departure board until the train arrives and the track is posted.  Then it's off to the gate and down to the track.  Aren't they sleek trains?  Within the 15 minute, the train is boarded and off.

Spain - Day 2 - Madrid

Hmmmm --- apparently we were really tired.  I cannot imagine why.  At any rate, it's after 10 by the time we are totally awake and ready to get up.  Let's get this party started --- out of the apartment by 11:30 and since it is still morning to us, Mister heads directly into the park where he spotted a cafe last night.  It is open and provides coffee and muffins to jump start the body. Notice the coffee cup??  We have these same ones at home.  How fun.

It is a beautiful Sunday morning and families are out and about enjoying the space walking, cycling, laughing, and just generally loving life.

Spain - Travel and Day 1- Madrid

I was living in San Diego at the age of 12 and entering 7th grade.  Whoa, time check.  That was 48 years ago.  Michael, are you reading this?  Forty-eight years.  At any rate, I signed up for French class and said I would go there someday.  I have been many places in the world, but this week, that plan made oh so long ago is happening and my sweetheart is taking me to Spain and France for our joint birthday trip.  The AirBNB's for the first and last stops are booked and a rail pass is in hand.  We have a rough outline of where we want to go and as long as the rail strike doesn't get in our way too much, flexibility is the main objective.  We have shopped and read and shopped and read for the past two weeks almost non-stop, then packed up our backpacks (yep, no checked bags) and can now say, "We are ready."  Let's go.

Songkran 2018

Before I start this post, I am going to link to some previous ones in which I have gone into MUCH more detail on this festival.  Please take a minute and click on the links -- you will see amazing pictures and some background info.  One of the two is days with kids, so just scroll down until you come to what you are looking for --- I'm sure you're not that interested in my grands -- hahaha.

Songkran 2014
Songkran 2015

Now, onto this weekend.  We have been at the Arboretum this morning and it's so nice outside that continuing with activities makes complete sense.  We use a different entrance onto the property and spot items not seen before.

Our point of entry leads right into the food court and it is packed.  Mister selects his food quickly but it always takes me a bit longer to check everything out.  I am not near as familiar with Thai food as he is.  One thing that catches my eye is this free herbal drink.  With ginger and lemongrass, my mind thinks it will be good.  It is NOT.  I mean, I could drink it if I had to, but not for fun.  Mister doesn't even care for it.

Dallas Blooms - Part 8

It's a VERY BRISK Sunday morning here in Dallas, but we are keeping the weekend tradition going.  Week 8 of Dallas Blooms is up first today.  Throughout the gardens, there is a new exhibit of kinetic energy art.  I LOVE THEM.  It's about the only kind of yard art I could actually do.  Come along and see the beauty and serenity of the Arboretum.

The weekly picture to see changes.

Red Hatter's in Wylie

After missing last month while I was at retreat, I am excited and ready for a Red Hat Day with the ladies.  Today we are off to Wylie, TX and the Ballard Cafe.

For some reason, I am running late once again.  What is up with me?  I was dressed over an hour and a half ahead of time.  Talking with my sweetie let time run away from me once again.  I really need to set a timer next month.

At any rate, I am here and ready to relax and have some lunch.  Are you hungry?  I sure am.  The table is full but a few openings still exist and I grab one.  Sitting down, I take a deep breath and power down.  Wow.  What a crazy last half hour.  A few quick pictures . . .

Dallas Blooms - Part 7 - Mister's Pics

Another view through Mister's eye.  Untouched photos that I've stolen to share.

Dallas Blooms - Part 7

As soon as I'm unpacked from retreat, Mister asks if I want to go to the Arboretum.  Hesitating just a wee bit, I agree.  And I am so very glad that that I did.  The minute we round the corner from the entrance, the entire garden is a burst of color.  The azaleas have arrived in full force.  Take a walk with me and enjoy the color.

Where Did The Rain Come From?

It was gorgeous out just a few minutes ago.  We heard rumbling, couldn't see anything dark from the front of the house.  Then BOOM.