Day 91  Monday, November 27, 2023

We are awake at  6:30 to begin our journey home.  An uber ride takes us to the Denfert- Rochereau train station where we catch a train to the Charles de Gaulle Airport.  The morning commute is a busy time…our first Uber ride cancelled after we waited almost ten minutes, so we ordered a second uber.  Luckily we didn’t have to wait too long for it to arrive.

I was able to carry on a conversation with our driver who is from Tunisia.   I have been learning and practicing French online with Duolingo and it has certainly helped with my vocabulary and grammar.  Being able to converse in French, even imperfect French has been really useful on this trip, and I have really enjoyed it.

There has been a bigger police presence the last week or so, in the metro and on the streets.  Makes me wonder what they know that we don’t.  Police officers in Paris come in all sizes.

It is an interesting morning. In addition to the heightened security, we see three people in need of medical attention this morning, while waiting for our train to the airport. A young man who collapsed on the ground, a woman sitting surrounded by people trying to help her and an older man who was being helped to a seat after he fell.  I wonder if there is something in the air this morning?

We arrive at the airport after a very crowded train ride.  A young lady standing near us, almost faints, and we offer her what help we can.  At the airport there are groups of soldiers patrolling, armed with machine guns!  Maybe it is a good thing that we are going home?

This sign speaks to me…I’ll never forget Paris either.

It is a wet rainy day.

I do enyy Bob his ability to fall asleep almost anywhere.  After a bit of a wait at the airport…

We are on the plane and starting the journey home.

Good bye France. Good bye Paris.  À bientôt.

I love looking out the window on a plane…

it is so strange seeing the world from this viewpoint. We land in Edmonton just as the sun is setting. It is good to be home, but I can’t wait to return to Paris…one day soon I hope.

Thank you so much for following along on our trip to France and a special thank you to everyone who took the time to write a comment or two.  I can’t believe it took me over a year to finally finish these posts, but better late than never!
Till next time…