[EUROBOUT CONTINENTAL CAROUSEL - 1984] DAY 20

Travel Notes
August 30, 1984 - Day 30
FRANCE

Lourdes to Paris - en route

Oh, my eyes. We were off at nearly the crack of dawn, for the long haul drive to Paris. At barely one hour into the trip, Earl and Bart had to scout for an open gas/petrol station for Carmen, who was in a state of urgency. Miraculously, we found a gas station with open restrooms, but once Carmen got down, everyone else decided to take advantage, too. Earl's comment of "Try not to think of running water. . ." was not much of a help! People stocked up on sandwiches, soft drinks, and canned goods at a supermarket in the next town, and the next road stop was after a toll gate for an impromptu safety check by French highway patrol. Something to do with the broken window. The picnic lunch stop, was a change after roadside restaurants. We were blessed with beautiful weather - blue skies and warm sunshine, a cool breeze to take the edge off the noon sun.

The ladies' room was a source of unwitting entertainment. The toilet was a porcelain "squat-as-you-go" affair, essentially a porcelain-lined hole in the ground with two raised steps for the feet. Ma was first in - but she's seen similar before, so no particular reaction. My own equilibrium held fairly well until I passed Carmen. I burst into giggles when she asked how it was; told her to see for herself and went away grinning. Couldn't help it, but I would have paid good money to see the expression on her face!

As each of the ladies emerged, she would be met by bland, deadpan looks before the comrades-in-distress broke up in conspiratorial laughter!

While all this was going on, Bart had himself a little rest, and a well-deserved one. Earl was bustling about confirming reservations for the optional tours in Paris, and I am determined to enjoy myself up to *here* before the tour ends! I will miss the nice people : Basil and Rita Jackson, Joe and Maria Silveira, Bart and Earl. I'll always think of them fondly, even if we lose touch with each other.

Paris - Hotel Ibis

The "family" is on the entire fifth floor, and Lois announced that her and Angy's room overlooks a cemetery, good Lord. The illuminations tour is set for nine tonight, and Earl has an expression on his face that would indicate that Paris holds warm memories for him. Looking out of the windows after five minutes in the bus during the tour, I am inclined to agree with Earl; there is an ambiance about Paris that justifies its reputation as a city of romance and romantics.

First we drove down the Champs Elysees, "The Avenue of Diamonds and Rubies", stretching from the base of the Tuileries Gardens to the Trocadero, the Eiffel Tower, the Place de l'Etoile, and the Eiffel Tower. Fantastic perspectives - it's wonderful to sight along its length from the Carrousel Arch in the Louvre courtyard, up the Place de la Concorde and the Arc du Triomphe : car headlights and tail-lights are like ribbons in motion.

Then the bus stopped at the Place de l'Etoile and we all had a chance to walk under the Arc d'Triomphe of Napoleon I (The Great) where we had time to read off the names of various generals and campaigns. We also passed through possibly one of the narrowest gaps in the city : a pair of arches opening into the Louvre courtyard. Bart says it is all in the speed and the timing of the traffic lights - I suspect knowing the bus is certain to fit between the walls is also part of the magic!