Joyce and Glen

Well the big news for us (and for a few others as well) is Glen's safe arrival back home from Iraq. Two days ago he was reunited with his wife Christina and new baby girl Kiera, and now they are together again in Germany and we look forward to seeing them both here in Paris soon!

Welcome home Glen!

The other bit of big news is that Susan's sister Joyce arrived here in Paris safe and sound Friday morning. Susan and I left the apartment about 7:20 a.m. and walked to the Port Royal RER train station, just south of the Luxembourg gardens and about 40 minutes later got off at one of the two train stations at Charles de Gaulle airport (motto: "no we don't know where it is either.") It's just as well that we got to CDG a bit early since the signs and directions for leaving the train and finding your way to the respective terminals is without parallel in its ineffectiveness and outright confusion. In fact this is one of the most confusing airports we have ever been in. (I discuss this in greater detail in another blog entry.) We met her at Charles de Gaulle airport in fact, watched her go through passport control, pick up her bag and exit to be met by her big sister. Quite a reunion I'd say.


The three of us then found our way back to the RER train and after a couple of delays along the way got off at the Port Royal station, and walked back to the apartment.

Although the day remained overcast (with hints at the sun somewhere) we were spared any rain -- naturally since we had the foresight to bring umbrellas and so we could stroll casually along the Boulevard Port Royal to Saint-Marcel and then over to Saint-Hilaire and eventually to Rue Poliveau.

Since it was nearly noon by the time we got home, we stopped along the way and picked up a couple of baguettes for lunch. Joyce got settled in, called family and sent several emails and we just generally caught our breath. Well, actually Joyce stretched out on the bed and napped, I stretched out on the sofa and took a nap -- after going out to the "Mouff" to get some fruits and vegetables -- and Susan fought closing her eyes but eventually she, too, surrendered.

Sometime after 3 we roused ourselves, feeling rather refreshed actually, and headed off to Jussiueu and the no. 7 metro. We got off at Pont Neuf and crossed the bridge to the Isle de la Cite, and to one of the boat cruises on the Seine. The idea was to show her the highlights of the city -- she had after all never been here before -- at the same time letting her relax and "enjoy the ride." Saturday would be the "power walk" day; Friday we would just take it easy and let the river be the guide.


After an hour or so we got off back at the Pont Neuf, got back on the no. 7 and headed home to dinner and an early bed for a certain young lady.

Welcome to Paris Joyce!

Steve