We are in PARIS!

Salut everybody!!
Well we made it to Paris after 2 days of no sleep.  literally.  We almost skipped going to Paris because it was becoming too much of a hassle.  We made it to Frankfurt no problem, met two very nice German people who took us straight to the place where we need to buy tickets to get to Paris on the train.  We bought tickets (should have bought 3 days earlier and on line for a better deal - note to the next people doing this).  We took the first train ride to Mannheim Germany where we to spend 4.5 hours to wait for our train to Paris. 

So we wondered in a little place called Mannheim.  It was beautiful, we had some coffee and bread, and wondered the streets a bit, but there wasn't too much to see and then it began to pour.  We are currently exhausted... boo... so we went back to the station to wait for our long awaited train to Paris.  O SORRY, the paris train workers decided not to work... you will have to wait until the next Paris train, in one more hour.  Boo... more waiting in the dang train station.  Luckily there was delicious turkish food to chow down on (donairs) (the turks seem to be the majority there).  So we were debating whether to just skip Paris and head to Milan, but lo and behold we went back to the dang platform to wait for our Paris train.  "Ladies and Gentlemen your train will be 50 m inutes late"... BOO!!!  We waited.  Luckily Jon made friends with this old frenchman and also a young french jew.  We chit chatted and eventually got on the dang train that took us to Paris.  Hallelujah.  I caught a few winks on the train - much needed. 

We finally got to Paris, hunted around for an affordable place to stay, it was fun walking around the streets, and eventually we found... the CRYSTAL HOTEL.  A wee bit sketchy but good.  We are staying in a neighbourhood where putting in fake weaves for black people is the main industry.... look on the street,,, there are pieces of weaves... haha, but it doesn't feel unsafe at all.  We were so happy to find a place and lay our heads down, we didn't even go out for dinner we were so exhausted. 

13 hours later we woke up to start our adventure in Paris!!! GREAT DAY!! Headed to the LOUVRE!! Unbelievable, loved it!  Headed to the Eiffel Tower, on our walk there a dark looming cloud decided to open up and drench the city!! and us!  haha it was fun though, and everyone in Paris stopped and got under cover somwhere.  We were fairly soaked, but managed to find a nice cozy french cafe where Jon had a nicoise salad and I had onion soup. YUM.  Then we headed over to the Eiffel Tower- WOWZA.  So huge it's hard to fit it in your camera view finder.  We went up to the second floor which was REALLY FUN.  Good people watching in Paris as well, so many people to see!  All sorts here.  Jon is doing so good speaking French to everyone I hardly even feel like a tourist!  All of the French people have been very nice and helpful, jovial and fun! ps. same goes for the Germans.

Then we jumped on a train and headed to a neighbourhood and restaurant Rachel Maxwell suggested to us.  It was fun to hunt through a new neighbourhood and find it (even though we decided to eat at the place across the road).  DELICIOUS! we had lamb and veal, and wine and beer, and it was the best ever.

So far our trip has been great and the bad parts have already been forgotten.  Tomorrow we jump on a train early and head to Torino to meet Jon's new found cousins Giovanni and Nicola and Rosalba.  We can't wait!! It will be so nice to have people from the area pick us up from the train station and take care of us.

Ps. Before I forget a few things really helped us during the beginning part of the trip.  First, the stay at Uncle Rob's hot new pad in New Westminster before our flight, Mom gave us those things that go over your eyes so you can sleep on the plane - much needed and used, and thirdly Teresa's candy bags she sent us away with.  Those are still kickin' and are just what we needed.

Unfortunately I forgot the camera cord in our hotel.... so no pics for this one.  But we are taking lots!

Love to you all, we are doing great, and it's just begun, we are so happy.