End of Days

Sigh. Our last day in Paris. Heavy hearted, we ate the remainder of our breakfast foods (or what survived of them during our trip to Italy) and ventured out to the D'Orsay Museum. We tightened grips on our bags as the warning of pickpockets rang out ion the PA system while we viewed the endless collection of Impressionist works. A little Van Gough, a pinch of Toulouse Lautrec, and a dash of Degas made for a visual cultural stimulus. After a few hours touring the museum, we set off to explore the Saint Germain district, getting our final fill of Parisian chocolate and macaroons. My feet we practically steaming by the time we walked back to the apartment where I whipped up the last of our food for dinner. We decided to "brown-bag" it Parisian style, grabbed two glasses, a 1/2 bottle of champagne and hit the park to watch the Eiffel light up and sparkle in celebration of our final night while we had a smoke. Salute!

The next morning, we woke up early to prep for the shuttle to DeGualle airport for our return to the USA. I rang for the apartment elevator as we prepared our luggage now groaning with treats to return home. Hmm. No sight of the elevator. The way the apartment is set up, the only exit, aside from the treatcherous fire-escape staircase out of the kitchen numerous floors up, is the front door which unlocks and opens directly into the called elevator. Today...yes...today it decided not to work. Cursing, we practically threw our huge bags down the backstairs in the attempt to make our shuttle due to arrive any second. Funfunfun!!!

The first to be picked up, our shuttle proceeded to the other stops, and our final pick-up..guess what...hadn't woken up yet! We sat in a semi fog of annoyance and caffeine deprivation and waited for the stereotypical American slackers to get their shit together. Of course, they were the first to be dropped off as well.

My flight back was great (after renegotiating to get back the isle seat I had reserved but which they took away for a second time). I was the only passenger to have two seats to myself, and being of petite stature, wedged myself across the two seats.

As I arrived home, I was proud at my acclimation to the culture, full of enthusiasm and determination to return and experience all the more.

Au revoir and Ciao!!