Departure for Paris Starts Chapter 3
Editors Note:
This is the start of chapter 3 from My Life in Europe. Looks like they pretty much spent the month of December in the states and now it’s back to Europe. If you are unfamiliar with this blog, you can read more about this particular journal at what is behind this blog at http://georgiachristal.com/about/
Sunday/Monday December 29-30, 1991
Departure once more from DFW to Paris, France, after a most enjoyable holiday season with family and friends. Definitely the off season for travel to Europe as the plane was not at its normal packed status and we shared the business section with only 6 passengers. We arrived Paris on schedule at 10am Monday, Paris time (3am Dallas time), to find gloomy, cold (36 degrees F) weather, gathered for many bags of luggage and proceeded to the taxi line.
Only this time we wouldn’t even fit into a station wagon, so it was necessary to take two taxis home. David heads to the office and I proceeded to unpack and take care of our plants in much need of water and tender loving care.
Ready to Depart for the United States
Friday, November 29, 1991
Louis declared it a holiday for Intervoice so David caught up on his reading and I packed for my trip home to the U.S.
Saturday, November 30, 1991
Early AM flight for me to Dallas, excited once again of seeing everyone and being at our real home for Christmas, with David joining me on December 11.
…………………… to be continued
Editors Note
This is the end of the second chapter of My Life in France. Georgia flew home and will pick up the journal again on December 29th on her departure from DFW to Paris. Chapter 3 will cover December 29, 1991 through April 11, 1992. Stay tuned.
Thanksgiving Day, Not Celebrated Here
Thursday, November 28, 1991
Thanksgiving Day - Not celebrated here. David worked most of the day, but, as Intervoice is an American based comapny, Louis and Isabelle hosted a turkey and trimmings dinner at their home. Very delightful.
Visit to the Greek Orthodox Church
Sunday, November 24, 1991
What a way to end a wonderful trip. Coskun and Sema, along with Cavit, took us to a Greek Orthodox Church on the Asian side. The Patriarch or head leader of the Greek Orthodox religion resides in Istanbul, Turkey an dis on the same level of rule as the Pope is in the Catholic religion. Today was a special celebration of the appointing of a new Patriarch. - and we were there! Can’t say we understood any of the Greek chanting, but we did finally grasp the word “Amen”.
A beautiful old Church with as well a beautiful, formal celebration. Very ceremonial. A drive on the Asian side of the Bosphorous Sea for tea and pastry at Hidiv Kastl, and old castle restored as a hotel overlooking the Bosphorous. Departure for Paris on Air France was a show in itself. The plane was packed. People with huge carry on luggage were trying to stuff them in overhead compartments. As compartments were opened looking for space, things would fall out.
One gentleman, who looked Greek, was carrying on his shoulder about a 5 foot artificial plant, and one young man was so loud and obnoxious that the ground supervisors came on board to settle him down. Actually he was kind of frightening. But he settled down and was allowed to stay on the plane. David sensed my nervousness but, of course, he was used to it.
We were body searched twice and our carry-ons opened and the contents checked. Air France did not make everyone sit down before the plane left the gate and if an empty seat was next to you, people were putting their carry ons loosely in those seats. We arrived Paris, loaded our suitcases in the car, began to back out of the parking lot and realized we had a flat tire. Luckily, David had familiarized himself with the tire tool and location of the tire. That’ snot to say it was easy to get to. So, it’s unload the cases and change the tire while I added on another layer of clothing for warmth.
Tour of the Dolmabahce Palace
Saturday, November 23, 1991
Finally relaxed with no business calls. Leisurely breakfast and a guided tour of the Dolmabahce Palace. Absolutely spectacular! It was the home of the Sultan Kings who ruled Istanbul until the early 1920’s. We visited the Kings’ rooms and their Harem’s (wives and concubine’s) rooms. The women lived quite well. It’s just that they were not allowed into some parts of the Palace.
The King was allowed 4 legal wives, the one of most importance to him being the one that bore him his first son. The Palace was comprised of 40 tons of silver and 14 tons of gold, chandeliers weighing as much as up to 4 tons. Just beautiful! The Grand Hall of the Palace recently hosted President Bush for a Gala Dinner during his recent visit to Istanbul. The evening we spent in the hotel Casino - losing money, but having fun.