"Goddesse" "It's French - for goddess"

This episode is out of sequence. I thought I had published and apparently had not. Obviously, Paris was our last day.

The day begins with Starbucks. As you travel, there is one truth. Money exchanges are expensive. You try to finish the trip with as little on that country's currency as possible. I have been trying to reduce my horde of Euros, particularly, the coins.

Outside the US, there are no $1.00 bills. 1 & 2 euros and pound sterlings are coins. So coins are easy to accumulate. Secondly, because it is often time consuming to come up with exact or reasonably close coins when paying a bill and, to be honest, because of the language, you tend to hand over the largest closest bill you have and wait for change.

I have gotten fairly proficient in using change in my pocket. My solution today is to over tip at Starbucks.

We will take a taxi to the Gare de Nord (train station). Paris and London have a separate station for each direction. In Paris, it is easy if you speak French - the Gare (station) is the name of the direction. Gare de Nord goes North to London.

I know of one exception the night train to Milan also leaves from Gare de Nord. But, that is another story.

We know we will use a taxi. It is beginning to drizzle. Use of the Metro is out of the question. Our memory is that the Gare looks simple on the map but it involves a lot of walking and stairs.

I have no idea as to the cost of a cab. We know what it cost when we arrived and we know what the landlord's handbook says. There is a very good chance that the taxi will accept credit card. I estimate that about 40% do.

So I take 60 euros from the ATM. There goes the plan.

I am a reasonably good traveling companion. Not the best, but not bad either. I am open to try anything. I do like to eat when I am hungry. But, I do get nervous and grumpy about being late for reservations, trains and planes. I like to be early. This is particularly true when I am doing something for the first time.

So I am unhappy. We did not make reservations for a taxi. When Angela and Caroline try the Landlord's Manual, the recommended cab company (the English speaking one is useless and does not sound very trustworthy) and the French one does not answer the phone.

We need to be at the Station, at least, thirty minutes ahead because of security checks. The Eurostar for London leaves at 13:04 (1:04 PM). The tickets are expensive and the trains are full.

It is about 11;30 when we leave to apartment. It is raining. We are on the wrong side of the street. (in Paris, cabs and buses have designated lanes. There are five and we have luggage.

I am not happy and show it. As I said, not one of my better moments. We are moving towards to Metro station as a last resort. But, St Michel Metro is about a 7 block walk. A walk made difficult by trying to hail a cab.

Suddenly, a cab stops on the other side of the street. He waves. I dodge traffic leaving the others to cross more safely. I want salvation. And, I know it when I see it.

The driver says sure we have room. "Hold your carryon on your laps". "You, Monsieur, in front with me ". He turns on the meter and we are off.

We talk to him. The usual questions. "How long?" "Where are you from". We always answer "California". Europeans love anything and anyone from California.

We pull up to Gard de Nord. The bill is 15 euros. I give him 20 euros. I am generous, relieved and I still have too many euros.

Inside we look at the big broad and no Eurostar. The problem with being a stranger in a strange land is the first time is never smooth. If you have the choice, try to travel with a companion that has been to that strange land at least, once and recently.

The Eurostar security and waiting area is on the mezzanine level. You can take the escalator or the elevator. I am frustrated. Caroline follows me and we ask "Information" and move in the general direction of the point. John, Angela and Betty take another tactic.

They get to ticket check-in first. My electronic ticket is not where I think it is. Betty, to the rescue with the paper copy.

My only defense who would think you have to go to the second floor of a train station to catch a train. The answer is that the Eurostar - Paris to London - needs to separate Eurostar passengers from other destinations and there is not room on the platform areas on the first floor.

I buy chocolates with my euros. Liquor in Europe is very expensive, even at duty free shops. Scotch Whiskey, Rum, Gin and Vodka have high tariffs to begin with and that is before the exchange rate. All are less expensive at Costco.

This Eurostar is newer. We have seats facing each other. Other than Angela, who has a French couple with their little daughter sitting with her. I would offer to change places, but I am content and my legs can stretch out. I am even happier that the concession train is next train up. A diet Coke and potato chips calms my nerves.

Apparently, there was an important football match in Paris. Our "standard" coach has a number of blokes on the way home. Nice bunch of guys. They are suffering various degrees of hangover.

In and out of St Pancras station and to a black cab. We get it all in. We give him the address from the reservation (we have learnt to be prepared). Within fifteen minutes, we are at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in Kensington.

Tomorrow - the rest of the story.