COUNTDOWN TO OUR AEF WORLD WAR I TOUR

Tuesday, 7 August 2018

Golden Tulip Hotel/CDG (http://www.goldentulipcdgvillepinte.com/)

Paris, France (Roissy)

97F, sunny.

Golden Tulip Hotel--convenient to CDG Airport, about an hour from Paris- 

but accessible by train and taxi, free shuttles to CDG and Aeroville

Based on the news report this morning on TV, France is really suffering from the heat wave. They are especially concerned with ozone levels.   Four nuclear reactors were forced to close in order to avoid raising the temperature of rivers whose water is used for cooling and then returned. It is very dry in Paris and Roissy—the flowers and trees are in stress.

This morning we set off for Aeroville Mall again—what a difference being free of jet lag! It is a very nice mall and we bought some items, e.g. 3 microfiber cloths—I meant to bring wash/face cloths as the French don’t seem to use them. I also forgot my travel alarm, but Tim remembered both wash cloths and his alarm.

The Welcome Debriefing and Dinner were great. There are 38 on the tour, plus Desiree, tour manager, and Hans, our bus captain, both from Holland. I had forgotten Mike’s (our tour guide) sense of humor. He said it is a jam packed tour—that he did not realize he would ever be quoting Josef Stalin, but “Quantity has a quality all its own.” 

At least a third of us have traveled with Mike before and most have a WWI connection—it is great to be in the company of so many kindred spirits.

Note to Friend Carol of Arcade: Mike said that we can make arrangements to lay a wreath at any of the American cemeteries. Now the protocol is that he tells the cemetery personnel we want to do that and they provide a wreath to my specifications. I am so honored to be able to do this for William Hendershott, 78^th Infantry Division/303^rd Engineer Regiment/Co. D.

Note to Friend Carol of Arcade: Mike said that we can make arrangements to lay a wreath at any of the American cemeteries. Now the protocol is that he tells the cemetery personnel we want to do that and they provide a wreath to my specifications. I am so honored to be able to do this for William Hendershott, 78^th Infantry Division/303^rd Engineer Regiment/Co. D.

TK’s Take: There were magpies in the park.

Pour notre amie, Judy P: Nous avons achete des croissants and La Vache Qui Rit, pour le bon vieux temps. Nous nous sommes assis dans un parc pour dejeuner ! Souviens-toi, Judy ???

Mayor's Office and Park nearby/Janie