Sat., Feb. 19th - I've been to Paris, and that's all I got to say about that.

Well, we got out of Dulles with only one near casualty. With my seat in the upright position, my seatbelt securly fastened, and having been fully educated on what to do if we lose cabin pressure, I'm ready for take-off. The plane speeds down the runway, the nose of the plane lifts into the air, and the first aid drawer comes flying at the side of my head. Of course I can't move because I'm busy being protected by being strapped to my floatation device! I then activated the most important security measure at that moment - a padlock! The flight itself was pretty uneventful, once the girl across the isle from me self mecicated her panic attack! We landed in Paris and the luggage hobos were at work. After claiming all of our baggage, I had a long conversation at the airline counter. Lufthansa straightened out United Airline's mistake - ahh, the Us/Germany relationship! lol At this point, two hours have gone by but I'm still hoping that we can make it into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower. First we needed to visit the currency exchange vendor. After standing in line for awhile, I heard a scuffle betwen a very large African American gentleman and a very small Aisan man. So much for the romantacism of Paris - I was not feelin' the love! Come to find out I was in the line for a tax refund. I then got in the correct line, and the little Aisian man tried to move about 20 people from "his group" in front of Annie and I(the same thing that caused the scuffle earlier). Here I stand in the middle of about 70 Asian people and I say "no, no no, no, no." What was I thihking?! Lack up sleep and determination, mixed with a little stupidity, got us escorted to the front of the line where it took about 30 seconds for the transaction. It was very disheartening for Annie to see adults overtly lie and be so disrespectful, but I'm glad that she got to see that it is possible to stand up for yourself and still be a good of example of Christ. I then went to information to find out when the next shuttle would be leaving for the Eiffel Tower. It is then that I found out that there was a holiday and that it was rediculously crowded in the city. So, it was very cold, rainy, and crowded. I made the tough decision to not see the Eiffel Tower. I could just see us not making it back in time for our flight and Annie getting sick from being run down and cold. Annie didn't really want to go anyway. So, we bought a deck of cards and I taught her to play Rummy. I think she's addicted! We had such a good time! The highlight of her day was when we were shopping and I found this little metal box. I twisted it and turned it and couldn't figure out what it was. I held it sideways and the plastic emblem slid a bit. So, thinking I'm opening a pill box or coin case, I flung it open and a flame shot out the side and burnt my knuckles! I immediately scream and throw it, the manager is saying something to me in French - not that I really cared what he was saying at the moment, and Annie was rolling on the floor laughing! The good news is that my ring fits better. I'm not sure if it's because the heat sized it or if it's because of swelling, but... lol Then we were off to Munich for a night of more Rummy! It has been great so far. Tomorrow we leave for St. Pete where we will get to see friends adn settle in - I can't wait to see Max on Monday!