Appointment with the Prefecture in Versailles
Monday, November 18, 1991
9:30AM appointment with the Prefecture in Versailles. Early train to Paris Centre to get our translated papers. Real Surprise! The lady meets us on time and they are ready. Off to the metro. We stop by an American Express machine to obtain some cash from our U.S. account, but it’s not working and won’t take our card. Across the street we go to a Carte Bleue machine to obtain money from our French account.
Only David can’t remember his “pen number”, puts in the wrong number and it keeps his card, telling him to check with his bank. I’ve never used my card and can’t remember my “pen number”. Time is clicking by. Off we go with very little cash in our pocket and I don’t carry the French checkbook with me. Back to the metro to connect to an RER to go to Versailles.
We see the sign for Versailles CH thinking its Versailles Chateau and board the train. (The Prefecture is located across the street from Hotel De Ville and the Chateau). For some reason, I had the feeling we were on the wrong train. I recalled the time when several years ago, my mom, sister and I tried to take a train from Paris to Versailles to visit the castle. Not knowing the train system at that time, we finally did get a conductor to try and tell us the name of the correct train.
I told David I remembered him saying “Vick” and I knew we weren’t on “Vick”. David jumps up, looks above the door at the diagram of the train’s direction, and finds that this train changes tracks soon and is going to Versailles Chatilier (who only knows where that is). Our problem now is - what station do we exit so our correct train would stop there? Well - David chose one and off the train we go.
A sign appears and 1 minute later the correct train also. What luck! We arrived Versailles with 10 minutes to spare. David uses his French and asks a passerby in French “Where is the Hotel DeVille?” We were pointed in the direction and began to speedily walk. We walked into the office with 2 minutes to spare. Wow! The receptionist took us to Mr. Lequiller’s office for our appointment and we let out a deep breath.
His secretary seemed a little surprised at our arrival and asked us in French what time our appointment was. We could even tell her in French - 9:30AM! He was obviously not in. So, we wait. One hour goes by. People in and out of the office. There seems to be some confusion. The secretary decides we must be at the wrong office. There are 2 Mr. Lequiller’s. We’re again pointed in another direction (1 hr. late now) and visit with the right gentleman, hand over our numerous documents and copies and are issued a temporary residence card. WOW!
Bryan’s Birthday Today
Friday, October 25, 1991
(Oct. 25) - Bryan’s birthday. We waited as late as we could to call, but about 10:30PM (4:30PM USA) we spoke to Bryan with lots of birthday wishes. We could have talked forever.
Saturday, October 26, 1991
My first time at the wheel of our car. We decided to go and wash the car and I decided I could drive it. I’m not an expert yet but feel more comfortable about it. we attended a Halloween party with the Young Couples Group in downtown Paris.
We took the RER and Metro in full costume, managing to get looks, gestures and comments from several.
Editorial Note
I tried my best to find a photo of the two of them on the train in their costumes but never found one. I will keep looking, can’t imaging what that looked like.
A Rail Strike and a Long Drive in France
Thursday, October 24, 1991
David is off to London and I’m off to Bible Study - only one problem - giant rail strike. We leave early and David drives me to my study. A normal 10 minute drive took one hour and 10 minutes as everyone is driving today. The city is paralyzed, and as San Antonio is with an ice storm.
Some people just don’t even bother to go to work. David parks the car at the airport and boards the bus to the airport terminal. Suddenly the bus just stops along with all cars approaching the airport. The road is blocked by strikers and no one is getting thru. He has to walk about 2 miles carrying his heavy luggage but does make the flight in time.
Train Trip to Biel and Yverdon
Saturday, October 12, 1991
Again I took the train, this time to Biel and Yverdon. The towns being farther north, more German was spoken here. In France the bathrooms are called “Toilets” and in Switzerland, they are called “Water Closets”. Two restaurants we have enjoyed in Lausanne are the “La Mandarin” (Chinese) and “The Chateau” (French).
Upon visiting the grocery store I learned you take your own carrying bag or else buy a plastic one from them for your purchases.
Lausanne Cathedral, Bern, and Swiss Alps
Tuesday, October 8, 1991
David departs for the show and I visited the Lausanne Cathedral (one of the oldest and largest cathedrals, built in the 12th century).
Thursday, October 10, 1991
I took the train North to the city of Bern. The scenery was beautiful but the city was full of Cultist groups.
Friday, October 11, 1991
I ventured on the train to the city of Bex. The train spiraled around Lake Geneva and then entered the beautiful Swiss Alps country. What a breathtaking sight. I loved this small resort town and fully enjoyed the spectacular beauty of its surroundings.
Retuning to Lausanne I stopped at Montreaux at the Chateau de Chillon - a castle built in the 13th. century on a rock on Lake Geneva.
Sunday, September 22, 1991
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.
Monday, June 24, 1991
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.
Caption on the back of the image reads:
16. Tain back to London
Monday - 6/24/91