Cork & Alli's Trip Report

(Swarovski)

I am literately challenged....

Come on Cork...you HAVE to post our first day before I can post any more!

I am literately challenged....

Come on Cork...you HAVE to post our first day before I can post any more!

no your not! it is just difficult to spell!

OK, guys. I'm here finally! Sweet IBD called me and said you weren't gonna post day 2 till I got online so here I'm am. Give me just a few to read the thread and I'll be adding my 2 cents. I'll even post a photo of Ali, my hero on the train. Hang a few!

OK, guys. I'm here finally! Sweet IBD called me and said you weren't gonna post day 2 till I got online so here I'm am. Give me just a few to read the thread and I'll be adding my 2 cents. I'll even post a photo of Ali, my hero on the train. Hang a few!

Goody gooody goody!!! :clap_1: Bring it on!

OK, here goes gulls! First, let me say that it was an absolute blast the first time I did it with you allifunn and it's even more fun reading your very accurate and very amusing report. OK, here's my 2 cent:

Days prior to the adventure
Cork was sending me emails and websites fast and furious....ummmm excuse me Cork...I have been packed for days...all her "last minute" instructions were of not use to me....

I never said I was a good planner I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants kinda gal so natch, I get ready for a trip like this the night before leaving. And I was sooooo proud that I sent weather reports, IMPORTANT packing tips (perhaps Ali should have read that one), etc the day before we left. Who knew she was already packed and ready to go Have to say that Allifunn is one cool lady, if she wasn't a cork on the ocean before she left, she sure did a good impersonation of one while we were overseas :clap_1:

Dec. 27th 2007
I get to the airport in Columbia SC 3 hours ahead of schedule...per Cork and US Air's advice....MAYBE if I was leaving from JFK, Laguardia or ATL I would have needed to be there that early...but in little ol' Columbia SC it was a waste of 2 1/2 hours....

It appears that my journal indicates that I arrived at Tampa International airport 20 minutes before takeoff (not boarding) but takeoff. No worries though, I even had time to grab a chic-fillet and go potty before they closed the doors behind me.

Alli did forget one very important thing. We DiD NOT check any luggage. Carry on only! This was an issue initially with all the restrictions of liquids for carry ons because Alli thought she needed a Sally's beauty supply full of toiletries and grooming items but she worked it out and neither of us had any bags to get lost or wait for upon touch down. I even had a bunch of soap and shampoo and stuff left over in my still unpacked bag.
Was this because I took no showers :rofl: ? OK, I did but not as many as ali. Boy, the single guys must be waiting to snatch me right up, huh? The female Oscar.

I called Cork's cell as I was waiting, just to say Hi and to let her know I was on my way! EXCEPT...no cork... she had forwarded her phone to one of her associates...OH great I thought...what if something happens in Charlotte and I have no way to get in touch with her......

That is so Cork, isn't it? Alli on the other hand brings a cell phone to Europe, as if she's going to be able to use it. She did get plenty of use out of it at the airports, though. Isn't young love wonderful

I worried for nothing...she was waiting at my gate as I stepped off the plane!

Natch!

We had a long 9 hour flight (took off 7:30 pm our time) We did get food on the plane... We each got head sets and watched "The Devil Wears Prada"...I tried to get some sleep...but I didn't get much. Finally started moving around 8:30 European time (3:00 our time) We landed in Frankfurt around 10:00. How EXCITING!!! I could not believe that

I have to say that I totally screwed up our seats. I had alli sitting 2 rows in front of me I bugged her come back and sit next to me. I could tell she was nervous about not being in her assigned seat. It was so decadent . The plane was PACKED but somehow she held her ground and we got to sit next to each other for the international flight.

I was actually doing this! I put my faith in Cork...and she didn't let me down! I did not know prior to this trip (I found out in the airport) that the reason that she knows so much about European back packing is, she and her ex conducted travel tours (the inexpensive way) for many years! She really knows her way around the Eurail system...And would have been much better if only she had a COOK BOOK!!!!!!

And inquisitive sowallers might ask, "Why does cork need a Cook book?"
A Cook Book is actually a comprehensive compendium of ALL train schedues throughout Europe by Thomas Cook. When you buy a railpass, all you get is this out of date, piece of $hit booklet with a few of the most popular train routes. It is basically useless. I had mentioned that we needed a cook book from the start but wasn't able to get one before leaving and couldn't find any Thomas Cook shops over there except for one that I'll mention later. We managed but I could have definitely done better with a Cook Book!

We got on a train bound for Amsterdam...how funn!!! I learned to LOVE trains...gosh how I wish we had such a wonderful system here!
Our train was taking many commuters home and as we were nearing one of our stops, the train stopped moving. Finally they made several announcments "the train's computer system has crashed" We are dead on the tracks. Cork and I cracked up at this announcment..."Please do not smoke in the smoking car any more. The air system is not working and there is no oxygen in the smoking car" I had visions of the people in "Total Recall" gasping for breath as the oxygen is sucked out of the car by smoke.....
The final announcment was "Well I guess you know this train is DONE" we waited for a tow to come and take us to the station.....

Ali's accounting of this one is right on the money but unless you
were there, you can't imagine how funny these announcements were when they were coming over the loud speakers. This is pretty unusual for a train to go down and other than the Italians going on strike, I can only remember two other times in hundreds (probably thousands) of trains that that I've been on where this happened.

Apparently, Allifunn wasn't so impressed by the stretch of Rhine and the castles that stud it because that was an important part of the plan. We went to Amsterdam from our Frankfurt arrival point because I hate Frankfurt and there is a very scenic rail trip north up the Rhine towards Cologne which we took. We were both beat and the broke train kind of overshadowed the scenery of this route I guess. Actually, the train was towed into Ultrech, Netherlands where we had to switch trains to get to Amsterdam.

We finally made it to Amsterdam. In the station we found the travel agency (I amsterdam) and found a hotel to stay in. We were first told we had to book 3 nights.... because of the New Year, but the young lady found us a one night hotel! We bought a 24 hour bus ticket and went to our hotel. Amsterdam is a wonderful old city..but very busy and modern as well.

We didn't really go to a travel agency for the room. Most large stations have a TI or Tourist Information. The will book a room (no affiliations with any) for a few Euros fee. They also have maps, free info etc.

Important safety tip: NEVER get on the buses in Amsterdam without a ticket. They almost never check them but I have been on one when they were checked and all I heard on the crowded bus was: No Ticket? No Money? No Passport? and the police were waiting at the other end and arrested the guy for not having a bus ticket. Always get a bus ticket!

We got to the hotel (my backpack was KILLING my back....do you think maybe, just maybe, I had packed too much? )

You think? :rofl:

We decided to forgo a shower and just hit the town...

Mistake! We walked all around our hotel area (Princengrad? Cork will have to fill in all the names and places that I miss or miss spell ) We walked through Rembrandt Square and through the tulip/flower market..(pictures to follow)
As it started getting later we hit a brown cafe, enjoyed the menu, and walked around the red light district... We sure weren't in Kansas any more... There is so much to see and absorb in Amsterdam! A truly amazing place!!!!!

Prinzengracht was the street that our hotel was on but it's a semi circular street around the city so it's long and the busses only go down the main streets so it was quite a trek to our hotel WITH THE BAGS.
I LOVE the redlight district. What a hoot. Ali was less than impressed and favored flower markets and such. Give me good old sex and drugs and rocking roll anyday

We were trying to decide what to have for dinner...the only places in Amsterdam are Pizza joints or Argentinean resturants! I wanted authentic food...NO SUCH THING!! We had some frites with mayonaise (best thing we have ever tasted...esp. after the brown cafe..... ) We finally gave in and had pizza...it was good, but NOT amore's! We took our leftovers to the hotel and crashed. It was about 1:30 by this time so we had been awake for about 24 hours by this time.

I might add that it was nearly 11PM and our choices were pretty limited on what was available and since I KNEW allifunn didn't want to eat in the redlight district (eeewwwweee ) we stayed on the main drag Damrak near the station.

We did not leave a wake up call....BIG MISTAKE......about 11:30 the next morning the maids tried to get in, and then the desk clerk stuck his head in and told us they needed to clean the room for other guests! I have never scrambled so fast in my life! I had torn my backpack apart the night before to shed some of the clothes I had packed...so I had clothes all over the place! I shoved them into the backpack, rinsed off...alas...NO SHOWER FOR ME.... And we flew out of the room leaving our pizza leftovers for the cleaners....apologized (as cork says We are surely not the first people to do this....JET LAG!) We stowed our stuff at the hotel, got directions to a post office and took off. I got a box to send my stuff home in. Back to the hotel...then back to the post office and I lost 10 unneeded pounds for the mere price of 32 Euros...well worth the money! My back was HAPPY!!!!

This is where I have to say Allifunn is the coolest spirit. Most people (believe me, I know from experience) would have pi$$ed and moaned and biotched about their bags for 15 days. Granted, Allifun didn't listen to big daddy, toots and cork BUT when she realized it was a BIG thing, she didn't waste ONE minute taking care of business. She dumped the $hit and we were on her way as if it never existed. Maybe if I had done that with shoes on day one, My feet wouldn't have hurt for 10 days so grasshopper taught me an important lesson.

We found a wonderful resturant that served pancakes (AKA crepes) and we feasted!
We found an internet cafe, where we posted our first SoWal posts and Cork took care of some business. By this time it was 4:00 and time to move on.

OK, so I stayed a little long at the brown/internet cafe and I think Allifunn thought I was just there for the "food" and got impatient with me but this was a very important meeting of the minds for both of us to just chill and enjoy it. One of the great things about my job is that I can do it from anywhere, even Europe. It was our first day in Europe and I know how anxious Alli was to see as much as possible. I hope I didn't let you down in the end baby

We got our backpacks...AHHHHH mine was so light.... We stopped in at a "deli" style market and bought dinner...salads, cheeses, meats and fruit.
Took a bus back to the station...but wait! Did we get on the right bus....NOOOOOO...we went about 20 minutes out of our way..... OH well...that is all part of the experience! When we got to the station we picked up some bread and wine...
We hopped on a train headed for Belgium. Had a wonderful dinner in our first class seats!

One of my favorite things is eating gourmet food on a train whisking through Europe with a full glass of Vino and can you imagine doing it with a food [SIZE=-1]officionato[/SIZE] ? It was wonderful, Meats, salads, fruits crepes and vino mmmmmmmmmm!

Tomorrow you will hear about or stay in Brussles and our 4 1/2 hour whirlwind tour of Paris......
OK Corkie baby...you need to chime in here girl!!!!

OK, It's tomorrow :clap_1:

Corkybaby! Love your hair!

I was thinking the same thing about Corks hair DD. I wish mine grew that fast!!

My, my, Cork's hair sure has grown since I saw her last!!

that hair!!!! I think she left strands all over Europe....

That alli is such a lady. You too can get your hair to grow that fast. They're extensions ! Going light brown and curly soon

Grayt report. Where did you get the pancakes? I never had a good pancake experience in Holland.
Isn't it strange how there's no Dutch food in Amsterdam except french fries with mayo.

You know Mango, we were talking about the same thing and as many times as I've been there, it's the first time I ever noticed that there's no Dutch cuisine in Amsterdam. We did remedy that l"no Dutch" food later in the trip.

OK, on to Paris Alli. I can't wait for this one

:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: I can just see it all now!!

:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: I can just see it all now!!

I was just thinking that I need to work on a Sunshine eurotrash tar :rofl:

Missing you guys

I was just thinking that I need to work on a Sunshine eurotrash tar :rofl:

Missing you guys

Wish ya were here this week gull.

OK, here goes gulls! First, let me say that it was an absolute blast the first time I did it with you allifunn and it's even more fun reading your very accurate and very amusing report. OK, here's my 2 cent:

Hilarious! :clap_1: You two should go on tour with this comedy act. Oh, wait, you did.:funn:

OK, here goes gulls! First, let me say that it was an absolute blast the first time I did it with you allifunn and it's even more fun reading your very accurate and very amusing report. OK, here's my 2 cent:

I hope I didn't let you down in the end baby NO WAY!!!!!!



One of my favorite things is eating gourmet food on a train whisking through Europe with a full glass of Vino and can you imagine doing it with a food [SIZE=-1]officionato[/SIZE] ? It was wonderful, Meats, salads, fruits crepes and vino mmmmmmmmmm! :clap_1: :clap_1: the best cork!!!!

I don't know how this is all going to translate...quoting and u quoting...but??? cork has taught me...GO WITH THE FLOW!!

I was just thinking that I need to work on a Sunshine eurotrash tar :rofl:

Missing you guys

Sunshine needs a Cologne look..... (Fraunk and Danny Boy....:funn: :funn: :funn: )

Hilarious! :clap_1: You two should go on tour with this comedy act. Oh, wait, you did.:funn:

BR...this is the best ! I am impressed ....do you think you could have done this with us????

Cork baby...I'll move on to France tomorrow.........do you think they are ready??? I am so glad you are OK!!!

This is the best I tell ya'....the best travel log ever!!!! :clap_1:

Day 2 in Europe

On the train with our wine, food and fruit! Every one around us was so jealous! (or maybe they kept thinking "crazy typical American tourists"???:roll:

We traveled through Germany and into Belgium. I truly wanted to see Brugge (Bruges) and we were close by, around 10:00, but Cork knew that it would be hard to find a hotel in Brugge, so we traveled to Brussles. I have to say that Cork and I had incredible luck everywhere we went! As we got off the train (in Cork's new FAVORITE station) (more on the stations later...they were an adventure in of themselves!) We walked around a bit...most everything was closed but old eagle eyes here spotted a sign for the IBIS hotel that indicated it was just a block away from the station. We walked outside and there it was ...a beacon in the night! We were able to get a room right away. There was a cute bar inside the lobby...I noticed right away....;-)
I must deviate here...go on a tangent if you will. In regard to our eyesight...Cork and I were perfect for eachother! I could not read anything close up with out my glasses so Cork was forever having to read menus, train schedules and tourist information for me.:funn: Cork could not read anything far away, so I had to be her eyes when looking for hotel signs, train station signs, and street signs....:funn:

On to the hotel. It was very nice and I GOT A SHOWER!!! I have a hard time going more than 24 hours without one and it was going on more like 36! It felt great! (Cork was this the place that got water all over the floor?) It had traveled 1000's of miles. walked 100's of miles and was in BAD need of a shower!
While cork took hers I bee-lined for the bar. I had a glass of wine and relaxed for a while. Got back to the room around 11:30. Let me just say that the 2 most valuable items I brought to Europe with me was my sleep mask and my ear plugs! Cork can't sleep without the tv on...so it worked out perfectly! (they also served me well on the trains!)

We had a wake-up call for the morning (BOY did we learn our lesson in Amsterdam!) We got some coffee at the station and took off for Brugge. We got there around 8:30...Cork walked over to the TI and asked them where the "old town" was....I thought the guys were going to pee their pants! Turns out...all of the town is old They had a good laugh!
The town was just waking up and it was still a bit dark, but we found our way around. What a beautiful little town!!! The town slowly came to life, and the sun began to rise. We stopped in a small Cafe aptly named Carpe Diem. It was a bakery in the front and a tea room in the back. We had a wonderful breakfast and even the coffee dish was a work of art (yes we have pictures) The sugar served looked like uncut dark and white diamonds...rock sugar...very impressive and the coffee was served with tiny little pastries. My breakfast was bread & cheese...how EUROPEAN!!!
We walked around the town a bit more and bought some CHOCOLATES!!!!
Took some wonderful photos of the swan pond.
Beside the station was an ice exhibition (inside a tent) that we would have loved to see, but we had no idea how long it would take, and it was a bit costly, so we didn't go in. I wish now we had done it...but I wanted to get on to Paris....so off we went again.

Paris...what a whirlwind tour! It was dark by the time we got there.Paris is quite beautiful at night!
Cork mapped out the places we wanted to see, we bought 5 rail tickets and traveled through Paris! First stop...Notre-Dame. How beautiful! Then we wisked off to the left bank to walk around and enjoy the sights. (it was drizzling a bit so there were not many artists out ) We stopped and had a crepe'....YUM!!! Made right before your eyes with egg, ham and cheese...It was delish! Then on to Eiffel Tower. It is so beautiful all lit up at night! As we were there the light show began. There were lights flashing all over the tower. It was spectacular! I took video of it. It looked like one huge glittering diamond!
Next stop: Champs Elysees and the Arch De Triumph. Very impressive, especially at night!Just walking across the street is quite an event and a treat! We made our way down toward the Arch and then headed for Momantra and the Moulin Rouge. Cork got a bit nervous...we were in a seedy side of town...a few back alleys...but no worries! We got pics of the Moulin Rouge and headed back to the train station. That was truly a WHIRL-WIND tour of Paris ...but I loved it! I got to see all that I wanted to see in such a short time! Next time I'll go for longer so I can enjoy all that Paris and the surrounding areas have to offer. But just that little taste of Paris was WONDERFUL! (we had other things to see and experience!!!!!!)
Before we got to the station, I bought a bottle of wind and cork got some rum (for the train...since it was an all nighter...I figured I'd need something to help me sleep) We made reservations for the all night train and we ended up sharing a compartment with a really cute (but YOUNG!) guy. He was very nice and we talked for a while. I drank my wine (I forgot that European wine has a MUCH higher alcohol content than American.... ) I slowly got smashed! (or maybe it was quickly!!) The young man was from Gremany but was Greek (so you know I loved him!) At some point I managed to devour all the chocolates that I had bought in Brugge and drank all my wine. We pulled out the seats and slept in a line. Good thing Cork was between me & Demetrius (J/K...I am not that bad!) Around 5:30 or 6:00 he got off at his stop and we went on to Munich to switch trains. In Munich we got on a train headed for Salzburg, Austria!

Tomorrow you'll hear ALL about Salzburg!

Cork...BTW...I LOVED LOVED LOVED the ride from Frankfurt to Amsterdam! The castles on the hills along the Rhine were amazing! I was very impressed! The train is a great way to see them ...but next time lets take a boat!

Now I am going to go pull some photos to post!

BR...this is the best ! I am impressed ....do you think you could have done this with us????

Oh, it would have been funn as heck, but (a) I wouldn't have had the energy to move around as much as you two did, and (b) no way I could travel with only as many items as would fit in a backpack. I mean, some people call my everyday handbag a Mary Poppins bag, but I need my stuff!

OMG!! I forgot to mention that we took the Thaylus (sp???) to Paris! We rode first class and were served sandwiches and wine.....:clap_1: What a great way to travel!
I also need to say here that potty breaks on the train were most interesting! Better go early bacause as the day wears on...and the train is chugging along....men's aim go awry :roll: .

I love, love, love these reports!! But, come on...more pics please!! :clap_1:

Brugge

Paris

That's more like it!! Keep 'em comin'!:clap_1:

Oh, it would have been funn as heck, but (a) I wouldn't have had the energy to move around as much as you two did, and (b) no way I could travel with only as many items as would fit in a backpack. I mean, some people call my everyday handbag a Mary Poppins bag, but I need my stuff!

It was grueling...but FUNN!!!!
I hear ya girl...I never knew I could do without "stuff"!!!! But, I did!!! ( especially when I shed a heck of alot of things in Amsterdam!)

You know what I like best about reading this? The two of you are so full of life. You're like a pair of Dodge trucks in human form:

:clap_1: Grab life by the horns!! :clap_1:

(and man, do you ever )

First,,,THANKS for sharing! :clap_1: It is grayt to hear of your travels. You make a fearful American think it might be worth the anxiety! Love the pics and so glad you enjoyed the wine and chocolates....You know how to live right!!!

You know what I like best about reading this? The two of you are so full of life. You're like a pair of Dodge trucks in human form:

:clap_1: Grab life by the horns!! :clap_1:

(and man, do you ever )

Cork more so than me...but I am learning! By the end of the trip, my backside finally stopped puckering.....:funn: :funn: :funn:

Sunshine needs a Cologne look..... (Fraunk and Danny Boy.... )

BR...this is the best ! I am impressed ....do you think you could have done this with us????

Cork baby...I'll move on to France tomorrow.........do you think they are ready??? I am so glad you are OK!!!

Bring it on, baby! Wonder if Fraunk and Danny Boy are reading it :funn:

Day 2 in Europe

On the train with our wine, food and fruit! Every one around us was so jealous! (or maybe they kept thinking "crazy typical American tourists"???

My notes just happen to indicate that we had a "Fobulus dinner of lunchmeats, spinach salad, brocolli salad and fruit crepes"

We traveled through Germany and into Belgium. I truly wanted to see Brugge (Bruges) and we were close by, around 10:00, but Cork knew that it would be hard to find a hotel in Brugge, so we traveled to Brussles. I have to say that Cork and I had incredible luck everywhere we went! As we got off the train (in Cork's new FAVORITE station) (more on the stations later...they were an adventure in of themselves!) We walked around a bit...most everything was closed but old eagle eyes here spotted a sign for the IBIS hotel that indicated it was just a block away from the station. We walked outside and there it was ...a beacon in the night! We were able to get a room right away. There was a cute bar inside the lobby...I noticed right away....

Allifunn, don't think the train went thru Germany this time. Not that it matters but I kinda remember checking the route and we headed due south from Amsterdam, through the Netherlands and into Belgium.

Yes, I LOVE Brussels station. Will post a photo that I have. It's Beautiful. Berlin is a close second but I love the quaint feel of Brussels. Very easy to navigate. I know it's not the first time I've been there but they must have redone it or something. I never thought of it before but you are sooo right, the stations themselves are an experience - some good, some bad. Thanks heaven for the Ibis! Very nice hotel

I must deviate here...go on a tangent if you will. In regard to our eyesight...Cork and I were perfect for each other! I could not read anything close up with out my glasses so Cork was forever having to read menus, train schedules and tourist information for me. Cork could not read anything far away, so I had to be her eyes when looking for hotel signs, train station signs, and street signs....

How true, but maybe the chef should have been able to read the menu and the navigator the signs :rofl:

On to the hotel. It was very nice and I GOT A SHOWER!!! I have a hard time going more than 24 hours without one and it was going on more like 36! It felt great! (Cork was this the place that got water all over the floor?) It had traveled 1000's of miles. walked 100's of miles and was in BAD need of a shower!
While cork took hers I bee-lined for the bar. I had a glass of wine and relaxed for a while. Got back to the room around 11:30. Let me just say that the 2 most valuable items I brought to Europe with me was my sleep mask and my ear plugs! Cork can't sleep without the tv on...so it worked out perfectly! (they also served me well on the trains!)

Showers - I'm used to it and since Ali was a little more freaked about getting rousted out of our hotel in Amsterdam, she just threw her stuff in her bags while I did a quick wash up of pits, etc. I learned how to "non-shower" years ago. . Don't see it now but this wasn't the flooding shower but a good observation comes up here. WTF is with our water pressure over here. EVERY hotel, in EVERY country Ive ever been to over there is like having a firehose hit you in the face when you turn it on. I think my next tour will be "European showers I have known". Are you ready Allifunn?

I can't even believe that I missed that internet connection while you were in the bar. I did get my first call to my parents from this room so looks like you made calls to the kids etc from here.

We had a wake-up call for the morning (BOY did we learn our lesson in Amsterdam!) We got some coffee at the station and took off for Brugge. We got there around 8:30...Cork walked over to the TI and asked them where the "old town" was....I thought the guys were going to pee their pants! Turns out...all of the town is old They had a good laugh!

I've been to Brugge once before, I think but I definitely want to go back again for more now. The OLD TOWN I know that so many cities have an old and a new town. They preserve an historic area but build modern structures near it. What did he say? Something like, just walk anywhere and you're in the old town or something? Talk about stupid american. That's what I felt like

The town was just waking up and it was still a bit dark, but we found our way around. What a beautiful little town!!! The town slowly came to life, and the sun began to rise.

Love the way you put this because it describes our experience perfect. We leave the station, it's dark and drizzly with no movement of people. As we progress through the town, we see, lights go on in a pension, a lady sweeping the doorstep of her shop and then a group of asian tourist admiring a station. We were surely lucky to see the beautiful city of Brugge "slowly come to life"

We stopped in a small Cafe aptly named Carpe Diem. It was a bakery in the front and a tea room in the back. We had a wonderful breakfast and even the coffee dish was a work of art (yes we have pictures) The sugar served looked like uncut dark and white diamonds...rock sugar...very impressive and the coffee was served with tiny little pastries. My breakfast was bread & cheese...how EUROPEAN!!!

What a wonderful cafe - soooooo Belgium! Those pastries and chocolates. mmmmmmmm. I'd be 200 lbs if I lived there.
Alli is so good about watching her sweets. I, on the other hand, had 3 eggs sunnyside up, an assortment of breads and CHOCOCHINO (white chocolate cappucino) mmmmm

I have a photo of this little cafe that I will post. The website for the cafe is: www.tearoom-carpediem.be if you want to revisit it girl.

We walked around the town a bit more and bought some CHOCOLATES!!!!
Took some wonderful photos of the swan pond.

Got some wonderful photos too of the village. I bought my parents a box of hand selected belgian chocolates here. Carried them around for 2 weeks. They took a beating . I gave them to my parents the day after I got home and they were gonna take them to Mayo Clinic with us that night but they ate the ENTIRE box in about an hour . No chocolates for Mayo. I have made a decisions here, Real Belgian chocolates beat my previous favorite Godivas. Sorry but true!

Beside the station was an ice exhibition (inside a tent) that we would have loved to see, but we had no idea how long it would take, and it was a bit costly, so we didn't go in. I wish now we had done it...but I wanted to get on to Paris....so off we went again.

At the time, we were still planning on seeing the Ice Hotel near Rovaneimi, Finland so this was small time. If we had known, I definitely would have wanted to see the ice exhibition. I think it was 10 Euros. And just to put your mind at ease, the exhibition would have been over if we returned but beautiful Brugge would have still have been there.

Paris...what a whirlwind tour! It was dark by the time we got there.Paris is quite beautiful at night!

OK, this is where I have to add a VERY special experience. I have ridden many, many trains and I am an almost train officianado. There's all types of trains, milk run chugga chugga trains, sleek, modern trains and then the HIGH SPEED trains such as the TGV, the Thalys, the Eurostar.

I have never been on the Thalys before and got the thrill of my life. The only route between Brussels and Paris is the high speed Thalys with a supplement of 25 Euros each for FIRST class!

http://www.o-keating.com/hsr/thalys.htm

The train was built for 200 mph and runs an average of 148-186mph. When the steward came around with sandwiches and drinks, we assumed that we had to pay like most trains so we declined. THen he kindly advised us that they are gratis and we chowed down on our free sandwiches, wine and dessert! I felt like I was one of the rich on the Orient Express!

Cork mapped out the places we wanted to see, we bought 5 rail tickets and traveled through Paris!

You forgot what a PIA Paris station was (as usual) Paris Est is under renovation. We arrived at Paris Nord, walked about 5 blocks with our frigging bags to Paris Est (cause we wanted our bags in lockers at the station we'd be departing from.)Only to find that the lockers at Paris Est were closed and we had to drag them another 5 blocks back to Paris Nord to lock them up only to go through metal detectors to get to the lockers. This is the first time, this has happened. I've been doing this since 1988 and it's quite interesting to note how this type of travel has changed over the years. I remember the good old days of no train reservations and no security:roll: Anyway, on our return with these damn bags, we'd have to arrive early, pick up at Nord, drag them back to Est to depart for Salzburg but C'est la vie!

Actually, we bought Metro tickets which include local trains. But we popped up and down around the city via the Metro.

First stop...Notre-Dame. How beautiful! Then we wisked off to the left bank to walk around and enjoy the sights. (it was drizzling a bit so there were not many artists out ) We stopped and had a crepe'....YUM!!! Made right before your eyes with egg, ham and cheese...It was delish!

The Metro stop lets you out right in front of Notre Dam so when we walked up the steps and got to the street, I said to Ali, "OK, There's Notre Dam, cmon back on the metro for the eiffel tower" Was only kidding, it wasn't gonna be that bad. I promised her some pics of Notre Dam and a crepe on the Left Bank. I couldn't even finish my crepe - first time ever I couldn't!

Then on to Eiffel Tower. It is so beautiful all lit up at night! As we were there the light show began. There were light flashing all over the tower. It was spectacular! I took video of it. It looked like one huge glittering diamond!

Spectacular for sure. First time I ever saw it do that and it got us behind schedule because I had allotted only 15 minutes for the eiffel tower and we were so enthralled that we spent about an hour which was time we took from Montmontre.

Next stop: Champs Elysees and the Arch De Triumph. Very impressive, especially at night!Just walking across the street is quite an event and a treat! We made our way down toward the Arch and then headed for Momantra and the Moulin Rouge.

Arc de Triomphe, baby At this point, I wanted to chop my feet off cause my damn shoes hurt so much. I felt like this pretty young thing was dragging this old lady through the streets of Paris

Cork got a bit nervous...we were in a seedy side of town...a few back alleys...but no worries! We got pics of the Moulin Rouge and headed back to the train station. That was truly a WHIRL-WIND tour of Paris ...but I loved it! I got to see all that I wanted to see in such a short time! Next time I'll go for longer so I can enjoy all that Paris and the surrounding areas have to offer. But just that little taste of Paris was WONDERFUL! (we had other things to see and experience!!!!!!)

You think the She Male Hooker could have been the problem. I'm a safety kinda girl and the seediest part of Paris warants a little nervousness. Remember those ladies in their minks, saying "I don't know, it still looks a little rough" :rofl:

OK, mom needs me. My dad drove her to meet a friend to get out of the house and he just hit a curb and blew the tire so I gotta go take her to her friends. Then I have to meet a friend which I now have to delay an hour so I will try to finish tonight.

She Male Hooker

Wow these reports are the greatest.....I'm hanging on for more!!