We Arrived!

Arrived Thursday morning in Paris before the sunrise. Our taxi driver met us outside of baggage claim holding a sign with our name on it. He did not speak English, but we made do. He looked perplexed (as were we) when he saw all our luggage and the space it was going to go in to. But between George (who is an excellent luggage packer of cars) and the driver, it all fit without anything hanging out the windows or doors.

We listened to French radio on the way. Michael Jackson's "Thriller"(along with a Vincent Price double at the end) and the Animals "House of the Rising Sun" just don't sound the same in French. But we had some Beatles in English and "Me and Mrs Jones" which the driver was singing along to, but only the "Mrs. Jones" chorus. Do you think he knew what that song was about?

Along the way we saw many farmed fields, small villages, and high speed passenger trains whizzing by at extremely high speeds. We rode through the Champagne region, but we did not see any vineyards, but I'm sure they are there. It is very picturesque.

Downtown Vittel

Our first bottle of Bordeaux

Cutting bread using something similar to a paper cutter in the restaurant last night,

We are in Vittel staying at the Hotel Providence until our temporary furnished apartment is ready-on Sunday. It will truly be better moving out of a suitcase. Soon we will look for a permanent home, but for now the apartment will be fine.

It was difficult sleeping last night due to the time change, we shouldn't have taken that nap yesterday afternoon, but it felt oh so good. It looks like today(Friday) is going to be sunny, yesterday raining and cold. I will be able to get better pictures today. Au revoir!

Goodbye USA

Well, it's been a long time coming, but we are almost there. Today we leave the USA out of Newark, NJ. Wishing you all a happy& healthy 2012. Will repost when our feet are on the ground.

Leaving OHIO

Our last night in a US hotel. Our extended stay hotel keeps getting smaller. There are paths around 6 large suitcases, 2 ski bags, 2 ski boot bags, 3 boxes of food, 1 box of liquor (we've been working on that one :p), a fair amount of Christmas presents, 3 boxes of odds and ends, a backpack, and 2 computer bags. We are leaving Ohio in the morning heading for PA to spend the holidays with family and friends.
Some things I will miss in OH -- Our friends, Blossom Music, biking and hiking in the Cuyahoga National Park, Lifestyles fitness center, Lake Erie, Emerald Necklace, Cleveland Indians, listening to 91.3 in the car, and fabulous restaurants.

Moving Day is Here

The movers are coming today. Our house looks like a train wreck, but an organized train wreck, at least most of it. Dividing things up that go by air, sea, and storage is challenging to say the least. Along with that, we cannot take any liquids or things that melt. I just hope that everything gets to its proper destination. I think it's going to be a long day. There is still lots to do before the movers get here, I don't think George and I will get to it all. I hope the movers are patient. But we keep telling ourselves it will all be worth it. We are almost there.