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.

David on the train to london

Caption on the back of the image reads:

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

Wednesday, June 5, 1991

The Grocery and Apartment – Wednesday, June 5, 1991

David takes the high speed train to Leon, France, for the day. We decided to move out of the expensive hotel and into a temporary apartment in La Defense called Club Affairs. With David gone, I check out the hotel taking 2 pieces of luggage with me on the cart and off I go to the apartment.

The only problem is, as I exit the building, I know the general direction to go in but am not really sure, plus there are steps and people everywhere, so I head for David’s office. Yes, it’s the long way but I’m sure I can find it that way and hopefully find the ramps for my cart.

No such luck. After climbing 2 large stairways I arrive at Club Affairs. Nice people here. Back to the Sofitel for the last piece of luggage. This time I remember the straight way -toward the Grand Arch and back toward the arch de Triomphe and it proves easier.

Well, it’s grocery buying time. We now have a kitchen and utensils. David arrives home and off we go (walking, of course) to Auchan Hypermarche – a huge grocery, etc., store. Tons of people there. We see people with grocery carts and realize they are coming from a back room. David goes to get one and has to pay to use it.

Then there is the grocery line. You bag your groceries -quickly, while trying to watch that they charge you the right prices. You have to be fasts because the minute you pay, they are checking the next guy and you need to be gone!

Editor’s Notes

Image below is La Defense – Temporary Living in June 1991. Caption on the image reads: View from our temporary apartment

It looks like it was raining, of course.

La Defense, View from temporary apartment

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