At some stage, I need to figure out how to post pictures. Today, I went on a tour of Historical Aix-en-Provence, It is so amazing that people can be so afraid of change and that they are willing to drive their children out rather than adapt.

Over and over again we hear Cezanne was born in Aix. Cezanne died in Aix. The people of Aix did not like him, his art nor his family. And now, they are sorry. They don't have art by one of its most famous residents. Why are we the way we are?

Aix has buildings from 500 ad through to modern times. You can see it all here.

Pretty quiet day today. Actually first day to myself in a very long time so I walked around Aix-en-Provence for several hours trying not to get lost. really felt like I was in a Dr Who episode where the streets kept moving around when I turned my head. Found some really interesting churches and hidden market places. Not sure i could find my way back though. I think this was the first time I was wandering alone in a place where I don't know the language. Thought there were several literacy analogies there.

In one way it is safe and fine. Probably. But uncomfortable and scary a little. Mine lasted a few hours but for a person without literacy. It becomes a way of life

Tonight there is a reception so I had better start thinking about what to wear. Tomorrow I will try to take a walking tour of the city

Well, I started posting from the Diary that I bought in Madison, but I didn't write about our own travels, so here is a shot at the original and best Doerner Travels. This should be an eventful summer so let's start right now, right here.

Paris, France.
Concord Opera Hotel

We left San Diego on a 7:55am (Thursday, 6/26/14) and headed for JFK airport in New York. From there, we flew directly to Paris and arrived Friday morning at 6 something am. Fortunately the flight was uneventful.

As we left the airport in search of a taxi, rather bleary eyed, a nice gentleman said "Taxi to Paris?"
We inadvertently followed him after handing him our reservation at the hotel. He took us into the airport and into an elevator. Looking at each other, we shrugged. Finally, we found ourselves in the parking lot with the said gentleman and got into his friends car. They promised we would get to the hotel for 60 euros.  It actually worked fine, but lesson learned. Only travel in real taxis. Don't follow nice strangers in foreign airports. We were lucky this time.

Once at the hotel, it was too early to check in so we left our bags and went exploring. We bought a two day pass to the hop on hop off bus. There are four different routes available. Plus we added the hop on hop off boat tour. Later we also went to buy tickets to the Louvre, hoping to avoid standing in lines tomorrow.

I am hoping that once we get acclimatized to the new time zone, I can also add some pictures to this blog.

Since we were tired, we decided to just ride the bus and not access the on-off part. We were the first to get on so we sat on top of the double decker and took the entire 2 hour route of the green line.

We then went back to the hotel to check in. Then back to work. We found a small restaurant to have lunch, then on to the Seine to take the boat tour. We thought we would take a look at Notre Dame. On the way we visited Madeline Church.

Later we took the blue line and went looking for the Bastille, but unfortunately that had been deconstructed many years aga

Frustration.
Typing for 20 minutes and TECHOLOGY. Sorry error. Now saving regularly.

Left San Diego, Thursday June 26 at 6:55am via JFK
Arrived Paris, France Friday June 27 at 6:15ish in the am.

Weird taxi experience

Booked into hotel.

 Bought tickets for hop on hop off bus for 2 days. The offer extended to a third day due to Pride Parade which is expected to disrupt traffic. Added the hop on hop off boat for more euros.


Sorry to be so boring, but I am tired of typing. I had written a very exciting narrative of our frantic taxi ride, so now are recovering from the PTSD. Dear reader, you may get the full story soon, but not this morning.

Took both the orange line and the blue lines. Also most of the boat trip.

Whew! Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, Champs Elysees all checked off. It was a great way to see a lot of things. It also gave us a good feel of Paris and where everything is.

Later we spent time wandering along the bank of the Seine, the Madeleine, Notre Dame and the streets of Paris.