Hit the ground running

We landed at Charles de Gaulle airport right around 8 am and proceeded through the gauntlet that is arriving in France.  Passport control was a bit stress-inducing to our septet, but with that mischief managed, we found each other again at the baggage carousel.  After that, it was a hop, skip and a jump to the exit sign where our driver was waiting.  Jeanne had pre-arranged transportation from the airport to the Airbnb where we will be staying for the week.  The driver offered to take us around town for an hour or so.  That all kind of began at 9:30, which was when we finally passed through the logistical obstacle course that is the Charles de Gaulle International Airport.  With our very capable French driver at the helm, we made it to Montmartre, where he said quick hellos to a series of people he apparently knows, who also happen to be in charge of entry to the Basilica Sacré Coeur.  He kind of snuck the seven of us past the waiting throng of people so we could walk through the Basilica.  We got to walk a lap through the chapels, stained glass displays and different parts of the church.  It was all quite impressive.  I even saw a stained glass window in honor of Joan of Arc, which was kind of cool, because in French, she’s called Jeanne, and that happens to be how my mother-in-law spells her name.  When I spotted it, I made sure she saw her name immortalized in colored glass.  

It was quite impressive, and the vantage point afforded us a great view of the city.  The driver seemed to have a lot of time, connections, information and patience.  He was kind of great, but honestly, I just wanted to get checked into the room and brush my teeth.  As the one hour tour started to become a two hour tour with more stops apparently in the offing, Zoey fell asleep.  It was about 4 am Dallas time, and she was wiped all the way out.  Hey, she’s 11.  At about 11:30, we got to the apartment we’ll be using as our home base for the next week of adventures.  We’re all settling in, now.  Chad and Dave headed to a nearby shop and picked up wine and snacks.  Cas and I have put our own shampoo and soap in the shower, brushed our teeth and finally taken our shoes off.  Whew.  I don’t really know what this evening holds, but we should all be cleaner and more well-rested in a bit.  

I am sure Cas will be building our traditional photo album very soon, so that will be coming in a future post.  In the meantime, we are still up and about- but we certainly hit the ground running.