Monthly Archives: July 2015
Adieu, Adieu (Day 16)
Gate E19 is relatively empty an hour and a half before departure. Kristy is off buying a magazine for the flight. There are a few couples talking about forty feet from me, but otherwise I’m alone. We’ve been in Europe … Continue reading
The Importance of Tolerance (Day 14)
Amsterdam exists where no city should. Over centuries, Dutch engineers have dried out marshy land, built a series of canals and dikes, and developed architectural innovations to enable construction in the area. Today’s tour guide tells us that a full … Continue reading
Stairway to Heaven (Day 13)
Before we left for Europe, I asked a friend of mine–a co-worker from Italy–what nice things I could do with my wife in Amsterdam. He shook his head. “Your wife? Already you have ruined Amsterdam.” And I can kind of … Continue reading
God, That’s Good! (Day 12)
The best meal in Paris is at Ave Maria. Yes, we’ve only been here six days; no, we haven’t eaten everywhere. But–all hyperbole aside–the meal we ate there on Saturday night may be the best meal I’ve eaten in … Continue reading
Paris, je t’aime (Day 11)
One of the guards at the Louvre inquired politely about the itinerary for our trip, and we told him: London, Paris, Amsterdam. “Ah,” he said, “please tell me that you like Paris better than London.” We laughed. It’s an interesting … Continue reading
If You’ll Be My Bodyguard… (Day 10)
Paris is beautiful. Look at the picture above, taken at Les Invalides, a monument to French military men erected by King Louis XIV. Gorgeous, isn’t it? And here’s the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe: … Continue reading
Almost Speechless (Day 9)
It looks like a postcard, but it isn’t. My wife took this picture during our walking tour of the Eiffel Tower. There are some places so beautiful, so iconic, that almost any picture you take looks frameable , and … Continue reading
A Clean, Well-Lit Place (Day 8)
We overslept, and we didn’t get out the door until after 10 AM. Kristy was worried that we were wasting our day. She needn’t have been concerned. Today was the day we went H.A.M. (Look it up, old people.) … Continue reading
First Impressions (Day 7)
We all know that the French are rude, beret-wearing pickpockets who love to mistreat foreigners, especially Americans. They refuse to speak English, put cockroaches in your drinks, and have sex with your wife when you’re not looking. Except none of … Continue reading
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. The Beatles (Day 6)
I didn’t have high hopes for today. Our London Pass had expired, so we either had to do free activities or pay way too much for things. Kristy, being the sensible woman that she is, wanted the former. Her first choice was … Continue reading
...said the blind man... 