Imprimis (A recovered post)

Well,

It has taken longer than I hoped to post my first blog, due mainly to the difficulty to access free internet over here.

So, as one already knows from everyone else's blog, we arrived safely in Germany and headed straight for Salzburg (home of Mozart and setting to the Sound of Music), but it was about 40 degrees and pouring rain. So after almost catching a cold by drifting around the old town looking for good German food, we ironically ended back up in the train station eating there (which was good German food). An Irish man decked out like a Lucky from Lucky Charms kept addressing me in German, though I told him in German, French, English, and even with an Irish accent that I do not speak the language. He continued to laugh and mutter German at me giving me the overall impression that I was the butt of the joke.

In preservation of time and space for you and me I will hit the main highlights thus far and hopefully provide more detailed updates.

Munich:

The main highlight of the beautiful city was eating in the huge garden located at the center. I ate schwienerschnitzl with fries. It was awesome, of course. From Munich, we took a night train to Paris.

The night train reminded me much of the portrayal of the steerage accomodations on the Titanic movie, with six short beds stacked in threes on opposite sides of the crammed cabin. I slept off and on during the bumpy ride. The main thing that disturbed sleep was sporadic stops in the middle of the night that halted the necessary white noise and the odd solar pattern here. The sun sets at about 9:30 to 10 and rises at about 5:30.

Paris:

Love the city. I wont recount the story of us missing our bike tour or rushing everywhere, but will record how we journied away from the Eiffel Tower to find a local crepe stand and enjoyed the best cappicino I have ever had while dining on the side walk of a busy Parisian intersection with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, maybe 70 a couple of days.

Musee d'Orsay was awesome and allowed us to see Van Gogh, Manet, Monet etc. Rachel and I went to Pont Neuf, mainly because I wanted to see where Jason Bourne was directing the CIA in the first movie, Saint Chapelle, and the Notre Dame, which the highlight there revolved around the Bread Festival in the front lawn where Rachel and I ate a baguette, free sugar crepes, etc.

As if that was not enough food, we grabbed a Croque Monsieur on the way back to the Louvre.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Souffle Restaurant that Jenny took us to where we all had about 10 courses of souffle, from cheese to chocolate (dark of course). Other great dishes: onion soup, galettes, creme brulee, chocolate brioche, quiche, and, ironically, indian food.

Overall, the city excellent with perfect weather most of the year that shelters the historic city laid on cobblestones and fast, clear rivers that surround the 5-10 story buildings made of old stone and masterful architecture. I am sure that on this point alone I could elaborate an entire blog, but unfortunately, I am writing 5 days into one blog, much of which others have already mentioned.

Before I leave Paris I also want to mention going to Place de Concorde, which is where Antoinette lost her head and Madonna stays when in Paris. Also, Jenny obtained the pleasure of watching a scene shot from this plaza for the next Bourne movie that comes out soon. We saw all the shopping districts and monuments etc. that more words will only fail to describe in addition to the abridged novel I have thusfar provided, so, ask me upon return to see the pictures, which are worth 1001 words.

I will let it end at this, as we are about to journey through the alps to Italy. Hopefully I will be able to post another blog sooner so that it is not a rapid fire, bulleted list of only highlights.