Low Battery

Papa says his travel battery is low. That must mean it is time to head home. I think I am ready, too. I am eager to be back to my own bed, shower, couch, and kitchen - and most of all, family. I am ready for their hugs! I am ready to wear some other clothes, too. I am so tired of looking at myself wearing my few outfits over and over again. They will go to the back of the closet for a long rest.

We have had a great time in beautiful Prague: two chamber concerts, one opera, street musicians, two good museums, a fun cooking class, good food, and time with family. We visited a marionette studio, too. Oh, and a little shopping. Not much time to blog. And for wi-fi, I have to sit in the hall or in the lobby - not great for blogging.

I've been inspired by Mucha's art nouveau style and feel certain I will need to do work that will reflect that influence. I'll be eager to get my paint out to see what I can do. I have a show coming up in February, so I'm happy to have more ideas than I will ever be able to use.

And Papa and I will enjoy trying to duplicate goulash and dumplings without tutelage from Chef Martin.

I'll write more and include photos when I'm back in CA.

Tomorrow we'll fly to Frankfurt, then will have an eleven hour flight to San Francisco. Whew! A long time to sit!

Good bye Prague.

Imagine

OK, think of it. You are floating down a canal in France with swans as escorts. Your very own French chef prepares meals for you, four family members, and seventeen friends - some of them new friends, some old. And these meals are grand. After the first two days, I decided that I could not possibly go through the whole week eating that way. Maybe I would skip dessert at lunch. And then that very day, the chef cooked up the best chocolate mousse I have ever tasted. So that was the end of that idea. And my clothes are tighter.

We enjoyed several shore excursions I'll try to tell you about later.

The AC was out in our cabins - bummer. And the weather was warm! hot, even. But we survived.

We were happy to leave the boat this morning and are in Prague, now. So far, great music, excellent food.

More later.

Shucks

OK, so I ordered a camera connector for my iPad so that I could download photos during the trip, saving space on my memory card as well as allowing me to post pictures on this blog.

Now that I have transferred my photos (that part is good) I see that the iPad edition of my blog post site doesn't have a button for adding photos. What??? Why is that? Don't those people know that you want to see my gorgeous pics of Strasbourg? Especially the more than gorgeous food we were served tonight? I have already had several of the best meals of my life on this trip and I wanted to share.

Also, my sisters and one brother-in-law have joined us. We are thrilled to be able to spend a lovely time with them. Other folks we know have arrived in Strasbourg, and we will meet the rest of our traveling coanions tomorrow- most of those are friends, too. I'd planned to show you pictures of all of us having a blast.

And I could've shown you a picture of my sore feet. We've enjoyed walking miles everyday; today was no exception. I increased my mileage by stopping in every little shop along our route. I didn't buy anything, but I am sure I will weaken soon. Actually, that's not true. I bought a fabulous art/decorating magazine this morning.

And yesterday I bought hand cream - but that doesn't count on today's tally. Years ago, a friend shared hand cream she had bought in France. I loved it, so made a mental note of the name. I'd looked since I'd arrived, then found a shop selling L'Ocitane at the train station in Paris - of all places! The shop keeper spoke no English, so I had to use my French to convey what I wanted. Yay! She understood and offered the very creme pour les mains that I was looking for. Way good.
So for now, unless I find a way or meet someone a lot smart than I, you will just have to use your imagination. Picture charming cobblestone streets, glorious flower boxes, charming bridges including one that turns to let sightseeing boats cruise through the canal that runs behind our hotel.

OOH LA LA

OH MY! Quelle difference! Now this hotel is nice! Spacious, stylish, and set in lovely Strasbourg. Of course getting here was "interesting." As usual.

Knowing we were clueless regarding procedures at the train station, we decided to leave our hotel two hours before our train was to leave Paris for Strasbourg. Good thing.

The drive took us through beautiful streets and the train station was a nice surprise: cute shops, good food, book store. But, of course signs could have been a bit more helpful:( I had made reservations online and the instructions said something like "just go to the self serve kiosk" to print your ticket. Right. I expected to see the sort one finds in an airport. Not. There were lots of little yellow things that said they were to exchange tickets. ??????

Usually I can watch others and figure things out (metro excluded), but, sadly, not today. There was a sign to an office that seemed like it might be the place to go, but I have to tell you the arrows pointed in weird directions. We'd follow them and get to more shops - not offices. So the office was hiding in plain sight and was the right place to go. Our ticket man didn't speak English, but, happily, I could tell him what we needed. Whew!

Signs for the trains were way better, and Papa figured out how to find ours. Good boy.

We ate delicious hot panini fromager. "Chaud!!!!!" the man warned as he handed over our sandwiches and beer. Not the beer - it was nice and cold.

We figured out how to stamp our tickets but had to ask how to find our train car. They were certainly not marked in a way we could figure out. Nothing new, huh?
Once on board we enjoyed wonderful seats and a smooth beautiful ride through the French countryside.

Hint: When at the train station in Strasbourg, don't accidentally enter a toilette as another customer is coming out. Wait. Let the door close. Drop 35€ into the slot, THEN enter. Otherwise you get disinfected. I am happy to say that it was Papa who learned this lesson.

The other lesson we learned today is that when you go into the Tobac store to buy a map, be sure to get one that has street names on it. What??? Really, now. No street names?

No matter. We found our hotel by walking down cute little cobblestone streets, bags wobbling behind us.

Papa just pronounced this shower way less quirky and wonderful.

Next dilemma....dinner. I'm sure we will manage. If there's food, we are sure to find it.

Seulement en Paris

This morning we woke too early. When we thought it a decent hour to be out and about, we walked around the corner for a nice petit dejeuner. Shopkeepers were setting out their fresh food - fish, fruits, veggies, and meet. All were beautiful. Of course the figs caught my eye, and we bought about a dozen of them. I've eaten one.....too much other good food to eat.

We came back to the room to plan the day. I wanted to go to the Picasso museum and Papa didn't care. After the nice young woman at the front desk gave us extensive directions to the metro and which lines to take, we set out. Thank goodness the information lady at the metro station spoke English and had a good disposition. We knew where to go, but the ticket purchase machine was challenging! Recoverig from that embarrassment, we boarded the metro and followed our receptionist's direction, map in hand. We asked for directions a couple of times, just for reassurance. When the musee should have been within sight, we couldn't find it. So Papa asked a down -and -out looking fellow who said "ferme pour renover." Nah. couldn't be. I'd checked their website.

Somewhere along the way, we stopped for a delicious lunch - quiche for me, club sandwich for Papa. I decided my new mantra needs to be "You don't have to eat it all!" But I ate most of it.

We soldiered on and eventually found the museum ..........closed. We retraced, stopped for a beer for encouragement, and made our way back to the hotel. We walked at least five miles all totaled. We did have a plan B, but by the time we could have switched, we didn't care!

Back at the hotel, we both collapsed on our wonderful beds to rest. And woke a little before 8:00 PM!!!! We hurried to dress and walked down the street to Al Punjab for a spectacular Indian dinner. OMG! It was just the best!

So, no musee, but a fabulous day of people watching, window shopping, exercise, rest, great food, great weather - a good way to spend a day in Paris.

Tomorrow we take the train to Strasbourg, and I am looking forward to that ride as much as just about anything else on the trip - except for seeing family. I love to see the countryside.

Stay tuned.

Ah! Paris

France is a long way from California! We arrived saddle sore and sleep deprived, but happy to be here and see our friends Ray and Dianna who are now on their way home to California.

I won't make you suffer through the math, but we arrived in Paris about the time I would have been going to sleep at home. Since I was wide awake throughout the flight (Papa was having no trouble sleeping!), I was bleary eyed and bone weary by the time we located a wandering suitcase and took the shuttle to the hotel. After greeting Ray and Dianna and finalizing our dinner plans with them, we showered and napped. Ahhhh! Soooo much better!

And that shower? Very interesting. Let's just say it is way easier to spray the whole bathroom than one's body. That thing is wild, let me tell you. We haven't decided if we are brave enough to try it again this morning.

Dinner? Fabulous. We followed our map and our noses to find our restaurant - recommended to Dianna and Ray by friends of friends in CA. Once we had the restaurant in sight, we stopped at a cafe to share a bottle of wine, people watch, and share travel stories. Then our great dinner. The guys had salmon seasoned with sea salt - they said it was the best ever. Calamari, sardines, legume salad dishes were all good. I enjoyed my red snapper and Dianna liked her mystery fish. It looked like sole. Dessert was superb. I picked chocolate cake -similar to molten chocolate cake - with orange. Dianna picked a strawberry torte. Then decaf espresso.
Yum.

We turned in early and woke way too early. Now off to eat again and explore.

Outta Dodge

And off to gay Paris! We leave early in the morning to spend a couple of days in Paris. First we'll meet friends from California. They'll be on their way home after spending a month in France. After a little taste of Paris, we'll go by train to Strasbourg. We'll poke around there for a day or so before meeting our travel companions -including my sisters and one brother-in-law. We'll cruise a canal on a river boat, eat gourmet meals the chef prepares, take side trips to see the sights, hopefully walk some of those extra calories I take in, and enjoy good company. After that week of indulgence,we fly to Prague for different sights and flavors.

I'll post when I have wi-fi.

Red

This red is the color of several of my walls, so I decided to try it on this wall for a while. Red makes me happy.

Invisible!

Below is a real letter that I wrote to a real restaurant tonight. I've never done that before. As I look back at it, I think this might be the kind of letter ancient local citizens write to newspaper editors. Until now, I haven't put myself in that category. I hope this isn't confirmation of that club membership.

I've heard and read that seniors feel invisible. I don't usually experience that. I can recall a few times - not many. I am usually out in front, not sitting quietly. Maybe that's why. Tonight was radically different. Maybe that's why I needed to write the letter.

August 11, 2010

Dear Mr.Italian Restaurant Owner,

I have never written a letter to a restaurant, nor do I normally even fill out evaluation/feedback cards. But tonight, I think I should write to let you know about our experience.

My husband and I walked in about 7:45, I guess. A young man greeted us and invited us to sit anywhere we wanted. We chose a table for two, pretty much in the middle of the room, and sat down.

We sat there for ten or fifteen minutes, not really worrying about the time. We were not in a hurry. The young man who greeted us went to the back. Another waiter came out and seemed to be enjoying speaking Italian to a table by the door.

We waited. I was happy with my husband’s company, and not really concerned. Then three more tables filled. The Italian speaking waiter hurried to give them menus, fill their water glasses, chat at length with them, take their orders, and bring them bread. We sat. No service.

I tried to catch the waiter’s eyes. No luck. After quite some time, when one of the tables seated after us received salad orders, and all other tables had been attended, we were offered water. I had to ask for menus.

We finally ordered, and our wine and dinners were delicious. However, most of the tables seated after we were had finished eating by the time our entrées arrived. About half way through dinner, I asked for bread – we’d not been offered any.

We like your restaurant. We enjoy your food. We drove from Los Osos just to eat there tonight. Then we felt overlooked, even ignored.

We are seniors. Could this be why? All other patrons were twenty and thirty something. Are we invisible? We felt that way. Our waiter focused on younger patrons. He didn’t see us sitting there.

Should we go back? Aren’t we important?

Just thought you should know.


Gaga

So......

I usually talk non-stop with my hairdresser. We just seem to have lots to talk about. Or maybe she doesn't say anything, and I just jabber away. I suspect that is the case

So today I sat down and she said, "So....." And so there I was talking away telling her all about my last few weeks: my visit to the Getty with my friend, all about Buddy and Roo, about phone and iPad technology, and the grant situation. We talked about a referral I sent her and the kid in the next chair who now has black and pink hair. He was there to get pink - it matched his pants.

Anyway, I have finished writing the grant narrative and can work on the appendices at a more leisurely pace. And another board member is helping work on a data profile. This means I won't have to work on vacation - except to ponder from time to time. I'll be able to work on my own stuff - writing, learning to use Keynote on my iPad, and reading ibooks. I now have a great little cover for the iPad, making it less slippery and more holdable.

Since I thought I was going to be buried in grant business, I packed for the European trip about ten days ago. I just have to throw in last minute things to be ready. Yay for that.

So here's my countdown checklist:

Make Paris airport shuttle reservation (tonight!!!!)
Shovel grant writing and Gaga School debris
from my work space
Do laundry
Scrub the litter box - oh, joy!
Enjoy Buddy and Roo's company tomorrow afternoon and Fri
Make scones for a Thursday tea
Cook for Gaga School graduation dinner Friday night
Keep up with email
Update the Art Center Facebook page
Get ready for and attend a meeting in another
town on Saturday afternoon
Mail out about thirty letters - really
Remember to pick up prescription
Remember to sleep

I'll let you know how it goes.

The good thing is that today I realized there is absolutely no way I can reach my desired pre-trip weight before next Monday. I give up. Since the situation is hopeless anyway, I can eat exactly what I want this week. If I outgrow my clothes in Europe, I'll by a caftan or something. I began this celebration with an amazing pulled pork sandwich. Yum - it was worth the consequences, whatever they may be.

On top of that, Papa served me a dimple of ice cream, later made popcorn and brought it to the studio to me, and has just walked in with what appears to be about a half a beer. I don't know what kind it is, but it is washing the popcorn down quite nicely. He knows when I am weak.

So........

If I can find enough hot spots, I'll blog about France and Prague.