My Life in Europe

A Daily Journal by Georgia Christal

Archive for the ‘excursion’ Category

Aug
19

Halloween, but Not in France

Tuesday · Popularity: 13% · excursion, my life in france 

Wednesday, October 30, 1991

David leaves early A.M. for London returning late night.

Thursday, October 31, 1991

No Bible Study today as tomorrow is a holiday in France - “All Saints Day”.  Today is Halloween but you wouldn’t know it here.  The practice of Trick or Treating is not done here.  There are no candy bags for sale, nor any costumes.

We have only seen one small specialty shop with a few decorations in the window.  We had wondered how children would be able to trick or treat if it were a tradition here, as the access to apartment buildings and houses is only with a key thru common front doors, gates, etc.

Well, the car is packed.  It’s 5PM.  David was to leave the office at 1PM???.  He didn’t make it.  We’re driving to the Brittany area for this 3 day weekend.  guess we’ll leave tomorrow as it’s getting dark.

Aug
12

Arrival in Brussels

Tuesday · Popularity: 17% · excursion, my life in france 

Sunday, October 20, 1991

The rain stopped long enough for us to cook breakfast and put up our wet tent.  We found no English speaking Churches in Mons, so we studied the Prophet John in our Bible.  We arrived in Brussels, studied numerous corner street maps, and found our hotel - The Royal Windsor Hotel.

In the afternoon we visited the “Grand Place”, beautiful old buildings, truly a grand looking place, stopping as we went at numerous lace and chocolate shops.  Oh! the calories.  we also visited the famous statue “Mannekin Pis”.  Yes, a little boy doing his thing.  we took the Metro to “Rick’s Place” - excellent ribs and American cuisine.

Jul
15

Sunday, September 22, 1991

Tuesday · Popularity: 27% · excursion, my life in france 

Church in London

Attended the American Church in London carrying our luggage, golf clubs, computer, etc., as it was on the way to Gatwick Airport.  Arrived at Victoria Station to catch the Gatwick Express to the airport and the platforms for our train were roped off with no entrance allowed due to a “suspicious” piece of luggage left unattended.

So we wait.  We are leaving from a different platform and we’re off to the airport.  We assume all turned out O.K. with the bag.  Arrived Paris Sunday evening to very cool weather.

Jul
11

Friday, September 20, 1991

Friday · Popularity: 25% · excursion, my life in france 

London England

David and I departed early AM for London, England. Business meeting on Friday and part of Saturday with the balance of the time - pleasure. Our flight arrived late and without David’s golf clubs. Although we were rushed to make his first meeting we had to complete lost baggage forms along with other Dan Air passengers with the same problem.

Apparently one of the cargo trailers never made it on board the plane. Off on the Gatwick Express train to London Victoria Station. David rushes to his meeting to his meeting and I remain there with the luggage and visit the many shops in the station.

As I’m waiting at our meeting place for David to return at 12:30PM, an American Airlines lady asks me to move from the area. It seems an older gentlemen had left an old pocket recorder of his on the desk kand they thought it could have been a bomb.

He returned for it and all was well. David returned from his meeting (late) and after a nice lunch I went to the hotel and he proceeded to his next meeting. Soon after I arrived - so did his golf clubs. Friday evening we ventured from the hotel to enjoy a meal at “The Three Magpies” pub - a very delicious and reasonable place for London.

May
6

Wednesday, June 26, 1991

Tuesday · Popularity: 50% · excursion, my life in france 

Paris on Alitalia Airlines

To Paris on Alitalia airlines. Nice weather in Paris after a month of rain every day. We’re ready to move into our apartment. But no, the lady is still living there! So back to the Sofitel for the night.

Ate at a restaurant we discovered earlier, close to our laundromat in the Puteaux area. I ordered Calamari Frite (fried Calamari) and Spaghetti Bolognaise. David ordered veal. He got veal and my calamari (but not fried) and I got my spaghetti. Communication is great.

Editor’s Notes

They did not actually fly on American Airlines but I think she probably saw something she finally recognized, the double “AA” and had to take a photo. The airline they flew on is the yellow in the background.

American Airlines at Madrid Airport

Caption on the back of the photo reads:

20. Madrid Airport
6/26/91

I love this next photo. What a great shot of Madrid from the air as they depart the area.

Madrid from the Air

The caption on the back of this photo reads:

22. Leaving Madrid
6/26/91

May
5

Tuesday, June 25, 1991

Monday · Popularity: 64% · excursion, my life in france 

Iberia and British Airways to Madrid

It’s early up today. 6:30am bus to the airport. Upon arrival at the airport our Iberia flight to Madrid, Spain was canceled. So we stand in line with hundreds of others for the next British Airways flight to Madrid.

Arrived late afternoon in Madrid. It’s hot here - 100 degrees +. Pool atop the Holiday Inn. I sunbathed with the topless ladies. It’s really different to go from “Bonjour” and “Merci” to “Buenos Dias” and “Gracias”. Loved the weather.

Our dinner was lobster at a nice restaurant where we watched them serve fish they had prepared - baked in salt.

Editor’s Notes

I still haven’t actually determined why they took this trip but my guess is it was a business trip that David was on when Georgia was able to go with him, as she did often.

These two photos were taken from the roof top pool of the Holiday Inn, in Madrid Spain. No, she did not take any photos of the other ladies she was sunbathing with, sorry.

Madrid Spain Holiday Inn Hotel

Caption on the back of the photo reads:

18. Madrid, Spain
Taken from top of Holiday Inn

Madrid Spain Holiday Inn

Caption on the back of the photo reads:

19. Madrid

May
4

Monday, June 24, 1991

Sunday · Popularity: 70% · excursion, my life in france 

Shopping in Portsmouth

Enjoyed shopping in Portsmouth. Took the train back to London. Hotel at the airport was extremely crowded. Sat next to a gentleman in the restaurant who had been in the Navy and in Viet Nam when David was.

We sat and chatted for a long time. They had a lot to talk about. I ordered Spaghetti Bolognaise and got noodles instead because they were out of spaghetti so I did get a dessert free.

Editor’s Notes

This image is of David on the train back to London. They are actually going back to London to catch their flight to Madrid Spain, not to go back home to France. Not sure if it was a business meeting or not.

David on the train to london

Caption on the back of the image reads:

16. Tain back to London
Monday - 6/24/91