Ahhh Paris

I have been looking forward to getting to Paris, but it is not going to be as much fun as I'd hoped. Firstly, the observation deck in the Eiffel Tower is not reachable because the elevators are being repaired. Well, it is reachable if one wants to climb over 400 stairs but this one is not!!! Secondly, the Louvre is closed. To top it off, its rsining & cold! So...may not see as much of Paris on my own as I'd planned:(

We do have a guided tour 2moro morning, then some of us signed up for the excursion to Versailles. We'll see the palace of Louis XIV. I'm looking forward to that!

Before I left home, I went online to locate a UPS or DHL office near the hotel to send home all my purchases. My suitcase alone was pushing the 50 lb limit before I left so I knew I'd not be able to carry souvenirs home. As it is, I bought a larger carry-on bag to put some fragile items in. I may have lucked out as the subway has a stop at our hotel & near the DHL office.

Orleans France

Today we began our journey towards Paris. Our first stop was in Ambroise where there is a magnificent castle that was home to Leonardo da Vinci. In fact, he is buried on the grounds.

It was a bitter cold windy day in Ambroise, certainly not what we expected this time of year.

Next stop was for lunch in Orleans, pronounced or-lay-on. Orleans is the Sister City to New Orleans...that's where NOLA got its name. After Katrina, this French city sent money to help the residents. They also invited students to come study in Orleans at the expense of the French city.

Orleans was the home of Joan of Arc & there is a large statue dedicated to her.
It was no fun trotting around this city as it was pouring rain:(. It would've been very pretty in more cooperative weather!

This cathedral, one of many on our trip, is St Croix.