Christmas

Christmas:  I went to Paris the Friday before my mom arrived in France and spent the weekend with Laetitia and her family. I had such a great time. On Saturday night we went to a Magic show and then after out to dinner in Paris. The show was great and I got a good laugh, but the whole time I was sitting in fear that they were going to call on me when they needed a volunteer. I’m not quite up to speed on my French magic vocabulary. Luckily they never picked me and I’m not writing about an embarrassing incident with a French magician. Dinner was absolutely amazing and everything you would imagine of a great French restaurant. I had the rump roast and a common French side that consists of potatoes, string beans, mushrooms, and bits of French bacon/ham (it’s a little bit a hybrid between the two). Oh for all of you non- informed Americans (this was me before the dinner), when ordering your before dinner drink, aperitif, never ever order wine. I made that mistake and was corrected; you only drink wine with dinner. (OK this only applies when you are in France, no need to practice this in the states) Some helpful hints as to what to order (well they usually have a selection devoted to this in the menu but here is some just so you are prepared): a whiskey drink (maybe mixed with Perrier or coke), gin martini, vodka martini, kir , champagne, or that French punch that I had mentioned earlier.  The whole weekend while I was in Paris before my mom arrived it wouldn’t stop snowing, I thought for sure that her flight would encounter some type of delay, luckily, come Monday morning my mom’s flight was one of the only ones that made it into Charles de Gaulle airport. Then we were off to Lyon. Lyon was great and it was so nice to see the family. Vincent reminds me so much of Great-grandpere. They look alike and act a like and sometimes it felt like he was right there in the room. Brought back some great memories. If you ever get a chance to travel to Lyon be sure to stop at the restaurant “Les Garcons”, amazing food and great people.  Lyon has some of the most remarkable food in all of France. I really don’t think you can go wrong with any restaurant. Saint Cyr is where my mom and I stayed, it’s the home of my great- great uncle Vincent. We had many a great meals there as well, couldn’t pick a favorite cause they were all so delicious. We spent about 3 days in Lyon and then went off to Paris for the day. My mom and I went to Les Champs Elysees and shopped around at the Christmas market there, then off to Laval later that night. This is the night when the awful flu reared its ugly head and attacked. My mother and I then spent the next three days in my 15X15 room because I was unable to move and deathly sick. I have never been that sick before in my life and it was so bad. Sorry mom for not being able to show you Laval and having to stay in my room the whole time. My mom was great and took care of me. So glad to have my mom here on Christmas and especially since I was sick. My mom and I went back to Paris where my mom spent the day at the airport because her flight got cancelled, but thanks to her we got to stay in a nice hotel near the airport and 2 free dinners and 2 free breakfasts. The people at Continental only gave my mom a voucher for a room for one person and one free dinner and one free breakfast but my mom is very quick and assured the man at the front desk of the hotel that it is indeed meant for two. Thanks mom for that!  It was great having my mom here in France for one more day. And thank you so much for coming Mom! I promise next time I won’t get sick! Hahaha