Heather's Happy Thoughts

On our first tour of Paris the morning after our arrival, memories of having lived and worked there flooded back as I saw familiar sights.  Then, as the days went by I saw Paris, and the other wonderful places on our tour, through new lenses.  Angelique’s knowledge and humor helped to make me feel as if I were experiencing things for the first time.  Some of them were completely new to me, like the magnificent ancient city of St. Malo.  I loved every minute of it: the itinerary, the food, the walking, the cooking lesson, the art, the architecture, the history, and the company—our “pinch-me-I-can’t-believe I’m here” group of “girls” was the best in traveling companions! I had begun to think I would never set foot in France again.  Then, when Marge planned such a marvelous trip, friends and family urged me to go.  I was thrilled to be back there.  It had only taken 33 years…now, I can’t wait to return to France!

Pam's Perceptions

I'm so happy I decided to join the trip.  As I passed through customs in Detroit I realized how much I already missed France, and hearing and speaking French. The trip was made more special because of the people I traveled with and our wonderful guide. We were so busy doing such a variety of activities! The first day I wondered if I would be able to keep up, but I did and returned home in better shape than I had left.

I enjoyed each part of the trip - whether seeing places I had visited years ago but with new insights or having the opportunity to finally visit the gardens at Giverny and the musée d'Orsay.  I will long remember being part of the first group into Versailles - what a contrast to my last visit!!  Other special moments include our picnic at the château, visiting with friends at an outdoor café in St. Malo while listening to the concert, and the visit to the Tour Eiffel at night.

So many wonderful memories.

Irene's Impressions

I enjoyed our French trip very much. I am glad I decided going, even so it was last call--thanks to Suzie's convincing.

I appreciate all the work, time and effort that went into the planning.  It was very well organized and we did and saw a lot in this short time.  We all got along so well and had a great time together.

 Angelique did a wonderful job guiding and entertaining us, we could not ask for better. She was terrific. 

I am not able to sent any photos through the computer, I have no idea how to do this. (Suzie added some!)

Bisous, Irene

Mes pensées--Sherrill C

As my aunt Wanda would have said, “What’s not to like?”

Here’s the bottom line:  You girls are awesome! From l’Arc de Triomph to Macarons to Omaha Beach to Versailles—nothing would be as jaw-dropping and tear-falling if it weren’t for you girls. You’re the best! I could sit with any of you, feel comfortable, and chatter like a chipmunk on chocolate.  C’était un plaisir de vous rencontrer! You made the trip, mes amies! Made it le meilleur! Here’s some photos of the great girls of the bus and a few others thrown in the mix.

The orange bag brigade in the Marais.....

Giverny: Monet's Garden Boat....

Blue Babes of les châteaux

The girls at the Arc: first day in Paris
















Clock at Musée d'Orsay

Baker-mates: Olga and Sherrill

Linda's Love Notes......

This trip quickly surpassed my expectations about what I would see on my second visit to France.  First time was a "working" vacation.  This truly was a reward for waiting another five years.  

From the moment we landed on Tuesday morning until we returned eight days later our days and nights were filled with lessons on history, art, architecture, food, and life in France.  I especially appreciated our wonderful guide, Angelique, who had so much information to share and so many insights on how to make our visit perfect.  I have never walked so far, so fast or climbed so many steps (365 to the top of Mont Saint Michel) and had fun doing it!   

I loved seeing the inside of Sainte-Chapelle with its magnificent windows, hearing mass at the abbey at Mont-Saint-Michel and then listening to a little boy sing the same melody outside by the garden, visiting Monet's house with its famous bridge and gardens, chasing through the Louvre just before closing time to find one last painting, walking the rampart around St. Malo and realizing we had no idea how far we had to go to complete the circle.

Seeing the beaches and monuments at Normandy and Pont du Hoc was a humbling and deeply moving experience.  How blessed we are to have that remembrance to honor those lives lost in WWII.

I'm sure I will never again be first in line at the opening of Versailles — thanks to Angelique's insistence on an early departure.  It's hard to believe people actually lived there and in the castles at Chenonceau and Chambord.  A perfume factory, an afternoon making Parisian macarons, a stop at a winery, all these experiences are ones I will never forget.  I truly loved all our time in Paris and wish it were not an ocean away!

Linda (photos coming!)

Jan's Insights….

Ever since I returned from France I have struggled with trying to condense my thoughts about the trip. Part of the reason is that each thing we did deserves pages of reflections let alone the fact that we frequently did
three separate, remarkable things in a day! Also, the trip was set at a rapid pace in order to see as much as we did. When I got back to the hotel I simply fell into bed without a chance to pause and digest every place we
visited. A couple days ago I  went through my photos and felt like I took the trip over again! What an amazing experience. I wouldn’t change a thing except to make the same trip three times longer so I could sit on a bench or in a café or in a cathedral pew to drink everything in more slowly!

My sister, Suzie had us read several books before we left for France. This was surprisingly helpful even though they were novels of little import. The fact that one described the building of the Eiffel tower and described life in Paris in the 1890's made seeing the Tower come to life for me. 

Another book mentioned exceptional chocolate shops which we accidently fell into! Or another described the merits of Berthillon ice cream and made it taste fantastically better and the price seem worth it. Another book mentioned the invention of Wallace fountains. That was important to me because of my need
to have water all the time. Stumbling upon the first one as we climbed the stairs to Montmartre was thrilling! 

I read a book about how to keep citrus
trees in wooden boxes so that you can pull the pins on the sides when the rootball is too large and then you can easily transplant it. I was surprised to see so many in the Orangerie!

The food was so enjoyable: fresh salads, crepes, seafood in corner cafes, bread, desserts! Having our breakfast together was important even though I
was so tired every day.  

Making macarons was such a wonderful experience. I look forward to getting our recipe and I think I will give it a try! Having our choice for a meal occasionally was special as well and I really enjoyed this opportunity.

College humanities courses came alive in the Louvre, the Musee D'orsay, Monet's gardens and the Rodin museum which created memories for me that are
too many to recall but sit in my heart ready to be touched again at a moment's notice. Before the trip, I watched a tv special on the Louvre so that our brief time there was not as overwhelming for me. I was able to see
the masterpieces depicted in the program. It was a total thrill to see Liberty Leading the People, the Coronation of Napoleon, the sculptures and artifacts everywhere, and the building itself was an art treasure!!!!!!!
Material from history courses became real as we visited where treaties were
signed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, fierce battles fought at
Normandy Beaches and the heroes buried at the National Cemetery. The
National Anthem and the playing of taps brought me to tears. I was so
pleased to see windows painted by shop keepers thanking the allies for their
help in liberating France. 

Angelique amplified the visual experience by telling us important facts and details about what we were seeing which made
it all so much more memorable.

My only disappointment was in myself. I had good intentions of studying the
language so that I would be able to at least converse minimally with people.
Time and demands prevented me from doing that at all. However, I did
memorize the 23rd Psalm which I recited in every cathedral, chapel and
church we entered. That was a deeply moving experience for me and was well worth the effort required to memorize six verses in French. I will have to enroll in a class before my next trip!

You were wonderful travel partners through the marvels of France. I am sure
you have as many memories in your heart and look forward to reading your
reflections.....

à la prochaine
Jan

Rita's Reflections

Having been to France several times previously I envisioned this trip to be like visiting old friends. Instead, it was one new fantastic experience after another shared with an amazing group of women and led by three learned women, "girls" whom I will never forget.

Special memories for me are being at the absolute front of the line at Versailles and winning the Amazing Race to locate the Gabrielle d'Estrees and her Sister, a very sexy painting.

Other amazing experiences were the 365 steps climb to the top of Mont S. Michel and observing a religious service in progress with the priest swinging the incense vessel; the beautiful water lilies at Giverny; our cheese tasting picnic on the grounds of a castle; and most of all joining others in the singing of our National Anthem during a service at the Normandy Cemetery.

Rita

Suzie's Pensées

France has held me in a hypnotic grip ever since I first visited it at age 19. I love every moment on her soil.  This trip was especially wonderful, sharing it with other friends and family. Big kudos to Marge who did so much work getting it all organized and put together.

What really pushed it over the edge, though, was being guided by Angélique. No ordinary tour guide, she has a passion for what she does and sincerely wants us to get the most out of each site visited, hence the early morning wake up calls, beating the crowds and listening to enthralling details about various places and people.

So, --Holy cow! it was my very favorite time to the Opéra, the Louvre, Versailles, Mont St Michel, and Chambord. The macaron making was unforgettable. Giverny in the delicate morning light was absolutely superb! All the breakfasts and other meals we shared were so memorable.  I loved everyone gasping (me, too!) at la cathédrale St Gatien. The picnic at the castle was so precious. Walking the ramparts in St Malo—breathtaking. Pointe du Hoc, Grandcamp, Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery on the 70^th anniversary were extra special.

And yes!—the camaraderie of the group was the glue the made a perfect mosaic of our voyage together.  Merci et gros bisous to everyone.

Sherrill W's Impressions

I had dreamed of this trip for 20 years, and it exceeded my expectations.

Angelique was a wonderful guide - it was like travelling with a charming
friend.  I liked the way the trip balanced structure and free time, history, art, and shopping. 

What I liked best was the camaraderie of the group and the opportunity to revisit the site of the D Day Invasion. 

Vivian's Reflections

The thing I remember most is the agony of the many steps which was always followed by the ecstasy of a breath taking view. Each day we were up early and on the move; the only time we stopped was when we climbed into bed at night-- and it most cases that was very, very late at night.  Our trip was carefully planned and yet it was so spontaneous.  We saw all of the iconic sights as any tourist should, but it was as if we were living in France instead of just visiting it.  We didn't just see Paris, we lived it!

How could 10 days pass so fast? Where did we get the energy to do all that we did?  And, when can we do it again?

The things I like best about our trip were as follows:  

--The  camaraderie of our group (The conversations were always stimulating, and we were always our sister's keeper!).

--Seeing Paris at my feet the first night on top of the Arc de Triumph and again at night from the top of the Eiffel Tower.

--Meeting the challenge of walking to the top of Mont Saint Michel. 

--The stories of Napoleon's willie and other tidbits of history. 

--The art and culture and historical lessons. 

--The wonderful food and spirits we imbibed.

--And, being first inline at Versailles.  It was as if the palace were ours!

Viv