Our last morning in Paris before we leave back to our daily grind.

We re-packed all the bags and since our plane only leaves late in the afternoon, decided to stroll Paris early in the morning, and then have a brunch with a good friend of ours to celebrate her birthday. It was a most delightful morning watching the city slowly wake up.

After breakfast we had a glass of wine at a small Parisienne Brasserie and decided to leave for the airport a little early since we still need to get through that process and like to relax before we board.

Little did we know… ANOTHER ADVENTURE AWAITED US!

Normally, the easiest and fastest way to the airport is by train. Very simple, you get on the train in the center of Paris, and a short time later that train drops you inside the airport which is about 20 miles away.

Not today.

The train traveled one stop only, to the main train station in Paris and there the line ended. They moved us to another train that also only traveled one stop and unloaded us all.

From here they are going to bus everybody to the airport.

Imagine, if you will, hundreds of very confused people with giant suitcases, having to walk a block or two and then getting crammed into a bus. Do not forget about the tension and stress of all these people that left for the airport at the last minute to make their flights, not anticipating all this extra time to load a bus, deal with traffic on the roads, and then unload a bus. The atmosphere was electric, not in a good way.

We left early enough so we made it through everything, relaxed in the lounge with a drink, and then boarded our plane in time.
It also helped having only carry-on luggage.

Until next time, Europe!

Church of Saint-Eustache

In the heart of Paris stands the Gothic silhouette of the Church of Saint-Eustache, It is the successor to the first parish church built in the thirteenth century, which was altered and then completely rebuilt between 1532 and 1637. From this pivotal period in the history of religious architecture, the building retains its Gothic vaults with intersecting ribs, forming a solid framework reinforced externally by buttresses. The height is impressive, reaching 33.50m under the vaults.

The originality of the building lies in its Renaissance-style decorative language: Corinthian capitals, foliage, and masks are elegantly juxtaposed with Gothic architecture. The western facade underwent rebuilding in the classical style from 1754 until the French Revolution halted construction, which left the south tower unfinished. Numerous painted and sculpted masterpieces, ranging from the fourteenth to the twenty-first century, enrich the building of the popular, lively shopping district of Les Halles.

There was a small service that started when we entered. The acoustics in that space was beautiful.

Goodbye Europe, it is not Au Revoir, it is definitely À bientôt.
_{(Or the same sentiment in all four languages we had to learn to speak over the last three weeks.)}