Patt with Two T's

10 THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT PARIS 1.  The Parisians are much friendlier and speak more and better English than they were 25 years ago. 2.  The food tastes as good as it looks. 3.  The French hygiene has also improved in the last 25 years and being on the Metro during rush hour is the perfect way to verify this. 4.  Many many people smoke, especially young people. 5.  I still can't afford to buy anything at Galleries Lafayette (well, let's say I won't pay this for a purse, regardless of my finances). This adorable outfit is a mere 155 Eu, about $212.  Perfect for the 12 month old in your life. 6.  Paris has the most breath-taking architecture and 7.  You can see its gorgeous Opera building from a roof top terrace at the Galleries Lafayette along with stunning views of the Eiffel tower and most of Paris!  People come and hang out, take off their shoes, relax, enjoy the view and then go back in and shop some more...

TRES PETIT ....no, not me, the apartment.  We have been in Paris for 4 nights.  Our Air B&B apartment is tiny, but in a great area.  It's fun to be in a neighborhood with the sights and sounds of real Parisian living.  Our apartment is up 4 flights; after 4 days, I can almost do the whole thing without the leg cramps or getting as winded.  In such good shape.... Straight up At the end of our block, there is a busy lively street with many restaurants and shops.  We bought breakfast foods there the first day--at the cheese shop, bread shop, and grocery store.  We also had our first snack in a brasserie.  I have to say we seem to be among the oldest people on this street, especially around 5:00 when hundreds sit and drink outside in every eatery on the block.  It's great for people-watching from both angles.  One day we went to the Musee D'Orsay, which is known for having the largest exhibit of the Impressionist painters. ...

RAW MEAT FOR DINNER IN TWO COUNTRIES One thing about being in and out of 7 hotels and suitcases for less than 2 weeks, I don't have time to write often, nor the desire. I prefer staying in one location for 5-7 days and traveling out from there. Since you really only have one full day anywhere, you walk your ass off (oh, if only that was true) trying to see everything, which causes blisters and exhaustion. My body has rebelled in not-so-subtle ways, which I needn't explain. I am less than thrilled by this trip and have silently vowed not to travel like this again. Apparently my complaining hasn't been just in my head since I heard about it recently. I've never been known for subtlety. What can I say about Brussels and Bruges? I felt like I was in the movie “If This is Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium.” We took the train, which was good from Germany, but the domestic shorter trip was a little difficult only because the seats have no place for luggage, so we ...

FINAL THOUGHTS ON GERMANY   What surprised me was how many people young and old smoke.  They all walk around with cigarettes and then drop their butts and grind them out on the ground.  One guy was puffing madly before getting onto the tram, but then another guy got on at a stop and as he got into our car, blew his smoke into the air.  Pee-u!     I remember how the women in Paris do not make eye contact or smile at strangers.  In Germany, they don't either.  Well, they do look at you, but they just look with a dour expression and don't smile.  I tend to smile at people, so had to stop or I looked a little silly....or American.   In most countries, if you walk into a store or are in a restaurant and say hello, they immediately switch to English acknowledging you probably don't know their language.  In Germany, they just stare at you or ask you something in German, to which you then must reply that you don't speak their language. ...

Dad Was Wrong The week seems slow because we've done so much in such a short time. I feel like I've already been gone a month instead of just 8 days. Fussen is within a short distance of two old castles. They're actually not as old as most because King Ludwig II rebuilt Hohenschwangau (somewhere in that word is the operative word 'swan' which appears everywhere in many forms) and also started building Neueschwantstein in the late 19 th century. He was the uncle of King Ludwig I, whose brother was declared insane so could not become king after he died, so Ludwig II got the job. But while he was building his new castle, at age 41, he was also declared insane and shortly thereafter, both he and his shrink were mysteriously found dead floating in the lake. He never married and had broken off an early engagement, so no heirs. He was also very good friends with the composer Richard Wagner (Vogner) and had a special bedroom just for him. In the new castle, he...

Started yesterday, continued writing today... Looking forward to leaving Munich tomorrow morning. I usually love big cities, especially those in Europe, but this one doesn't qualify. I can't explain it, though we'll see how I feel about the rest of German part of our trip. The people aren't particularly friendly—I'd call them dour. The city is bleak-looking, though partially because of the weather, which has been overcast most of the days. I remember standing on any street corner looking at a map in New Zealand and having someone come over and ask if he or she can help and where were we heading, and then practically walking us there. Most people in other countries are like that—very warm. Not so in Munich. And something's been on my mind all day besides not liking the city or people here. I am uncomfortable in this country. Too much negative history that just doesn't leave me. I see families with children and I think of all those who were ...