Our trip from New York City to France was approximately seven hours. Leaving New York at night, the whole city was outlined with lights. The plane rose up into the dark sky, and when the land finally disappeared from my window, I was scared we might never see it again. The moon appeared from behind clouds and I watched it for a long time, a reassuring sense returning. The strangest thing about flying against time is that night is so short. We were sleeping for three hours when the stewardess woke us and we saw England and Scotland outside our windows.
We had a fifteen-minute stopover in England, and ran to catch our plane to Paris. When we arrived at the airport, we waited for our baggage. But alas, our baggage was nowhere to be seen. Tired and hungry, we departed to our hotel.
This is the view from our hotel, in the first city we visited, Paris. We visited a few other cities in France, including Verdun, a war memorial; Commercy, famous for its Madeleines, or sweet cakes; and Versailles, home of the great Louis the Sun King.
Paris
The city of Paris was founded on an island near the middle of France two thousand years ago. It is the largest city proper of continental Europe, and is also the capitol of France.
Paris is also the setting of the Broadway play "Les Miserables", the story of Jean Valjean and the Revolution.
Commercy
Commercy is a small town where my French teacher used to teach English. It is also well known for its Madeleines, which are little cakes.
Nancy
We visited Nancy with students from Commercy, whom had been English students of our French teacher. We visited "The Fair".
Strasbourg
The French city of Strasbourg is full of German influence. It was part of Germany several times, and the people speak both French and German. There is also a church here with an astrological clock, which people come to hear strike twelve noon.
Verdun
A huge burial ground where American and French soldiers stretches as far as the eye can see. Reminders of the war dot the countryside in a sad and profound way.
Versailles
The Sun King, Louis XVIII, lived here for many years, escaping Paris and all the trouble it had caused him. He slowly built up his palace and garden into a grand plan which at first centered around mythology and Apollo, and slowly became his vision of himself as war hero and Sun King.
Le Chateau Talleyrand: The Gould Estate
The Goulds of the United States live in our area and helped us with getting to France. We visited their French cousins at their home, Le Chateau Talleyrand. Their woods and garden were beautiful, a special treat to see.