Off tomorrow for a one-night stay at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Then board American Airlines to JFK. Forgot to take My Meds the night I needed them the most. My Right Hearing aid broke the connection between the microphone and the speaker... the second time since last year. Fortunately, I brought one back up. And it was the right one, but it has no Bluetooth, so GPS and phone calls are difficult to hear voices on.
In addition, I witnessed Trump's commencement speech to the West Point Cadets. As an Explorer Scout, I visited WP and stayed in the MP barracks for three days during the summer. I watched the Movie, Long Grey Line, when I was 10 or 11, and now it took on meaning as I explored the campus.
Drafted and working for Gen Abrams the commander of MACV I also took care of Gen Knowlton, who was assigned to take over West Point as the longest-serving Superintendent in its history. He told me Pres Nixon wanted to replace the recent appointee from VN because of a Cadet Cheating scandal, but the real reason was that he covered up the Mai Lai slaying of 500 children and old Vietnamese by Sgt Calle that was revealed 6 months after his appointment .
To see Pres Trump side by side with the present Superintendent address the cadets with "you officers will lead the greatest force in the world. This Army that I made that way or something to that effect. Gen Knowlton turned in his grave.
I forgot to take my meds again. I was up all night thinking about this POTUS who made the Army what it was. Flat foot felon President who is destroying the world. They have a Trumper in France following in his footsteps. Vincent B something who's main support comes from Catholics and Evangelists.
Putin's support comes from the Head of the Russian Orthodox church, whom he generously "takes care of".
I had my last dinner in Lyon at a Creperie?
I am up and have taken my night meds. I will try the day ones around 3 pm. My bad. Coffee and I'm off.
I booked a Taxi to get me from JFK to Penn Station...not going to lug a big suitcase on the subway. At the train station early for food, Croissant Jus & Omelet!
Charles de Gaulle, after 2 hr. direct train from Lyon
Indicates where to stand on the Platform to get in your car. #15
Never seen an espresso machine like this....
After the meal, I tried this at the table. Aimed the camera & up came the bill. Pay all or split. Then Google wallet paid it. Done!
No problem with the TVG train.
Carl Jr.'s Veggie burger tasted like Mayo. Shuttle to Marriott. Checked in and weighed in at 164...gained over 10 lb. eating those Pastries. The 9:00 a.m. shuttle takes me back for Bag Check-In.
I ascertained that the French restaurants maintain limited menu items to save on Labor costs in the kitchen and dining room. It is sensible and efficient. But boring after a few weeks. Oriental has more stir-fry, sushi, soups, etc. for variety. You do have to change your schedule to fit restaurant hours, with the exception of Fast Food Courts.
Tonight I went to the only restaurant at the Marriott. We don't start serving until 6. Ok, I went to the bar for a glass of "house wine". Good, but $15. So I bought a bottle of wine for $20 at their snack shop, took it to my room, and enjoyed a glass before returning for dinner. Mohammed waited on me and spoke perfect English. I ordered the Salmon with water. Then I saw Cider, so I had that...which prompted a conversation with my waiter. Where in France did this come from...I'll check. He returned. The Center of France. I said you are not French. No, I came with my wife 11 years ago from Bangladesh. Do you like France? It's OK. We began sharing our travels and opinions. It was so inspiring, and he was very knowledgeable. He has relatives in Buffalo, and I might visit my daughter there in September, so I gave him my card. If he wants me to pass on a message when I go to Buffalo, I will. It was so refreshing to meet and share so much of our lives. I begin to think that my encounter with Diane and my experiences, both good and bad, were meant to be. I think this trip changed me...other than I gained 10+ pounds.
This was excellent - very fresh and cooked to perfection.
I returned to my room and confirmed my train ticket from Penn Station in New York to Hudson, New York, with my cousin, who had misunderstood and thought it was for tonight. I was in bed around 8pm with the alarm at full volume on my phone next to me. My cousin called from Hudson around 2 a.m., wondering why I wasn't on the train, but had the phone volume down and didn't hear her five calls. I did hear an ALERT from Walmart at Midnight, that my meds were delivered . It was a restless night after. American Air flight was delayed so I spent forever trying to message my driver a new pick up time. My train connection with Amtrak was now in jeopardy. Had a great breakfast, took shuttle to airport and asked 2 Canadians how to get to Terminal C. They told me but after walking 15 minutes I decided to go the opposite direction. They were watching from a distance, and one left his suitcase and ran after me, to turn back around. I did and was at Terminal C. Thanks, neighbor! I checked my bag in, and the reservationist saw my hat. OH I was in Oaxaca as a child. Then the one next to her said it is her favorite vacation place! They changed the seat I paid $150 for, just to have legroom, when I told her sleep was more important and sitting up between 2 people would not help. Now I can curl up next to the window. Big mistake...lost 16000 Frequent Flyer miles and didn't sleep with legs cramped. We arrived at 3 pm at JFK with enough time. Went through customs, picked up my bag, and alerted the Driver That I was there. He met me at the pickup point, but now it was 3:45, and we arrived at 4:50, 5 minutes late, due to massive traffic jams. I booked the next train just before we arrived and got the LAST seat for departure at 5:47.
Drop off at Penn Station...
Train to Hudson. Ran along the Hudson River
My cousin Helen's smiling face greeted me. It was after 8 pm, and I had been up 24 hours with naps on the plane. Barbara, my other cousin, Helen's sister, was at the house with a meal and wine for me. I crashed without my Meds! Woke early, showered, dressed, and fell back asleep for another hour. Then, I enjoyed a morning walk in this beautiful area, which used to be a farm.
Helen's Brother in Law mowing his lawn in the Morning, everyday. By the time he reaches the end...it is time to start back at the beginning!
Helen and I went into town that afternoon to get some nice sandwiches to go for us and Jenny, her granddaughter who lives in an apartment they added to their home. That evening we all went out to celebrate Helen's Birthday. It was last year. I wasn't there, so my present. It was a new restaurant for me in Coxsackie. Very nice Italian. I had Chicken in white wine sauce, Helen Spaghetti, Jenny a salad and Barbara a Lamb Marsala.
Happy Birthday, Helen!
We watched Jeopardy that evening and talked till late.
Barbara and I had lunch at a nice downtown restaurant run by the Twelve Tribes commune, which had just opened another location in a nearby town. There are many sandwiches, soups, salads, and breakfast options that are very good. I enjoyed a Reuben sandwich, as did Barbara. She took me to see the other restaurant they had opened the previous year, situated beside a beautiful stream.
I love walking around the "farm" . It is so beautiful this time of year.
We had dinner at a new restaurant in nearby Athens. Barb had Chicken Schnitzel, Helen Crab Cakes, and I enjoyed Salmon topped with Crab.
The next day, Barbara drove me to Albany airport to catch my flight to Phoenix with a stop in Atlanta.
The state of the world right now!
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| Albany in Winter |
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| Canned White Wine |
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| Welcome to Atlanta |
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Welcome to Phoenix
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I took my Uber car to Jeannie's, and the next day I used her car to run errands. We had dinner of Baked Halibut at the Roaring Fork to celebrate her past Birthday. I forgot my camera. I met Roman, my oldest grandson, the next afternoon for dinner at Roaring Fork. It was a nice reunion.
Spent most of my few days at the VA Audio, where I will get new Hearing Aids and have my broken ones fixed as a backup. Then the Dentist and Dermatologist. I had to buy another suitcase because I broke the zipper on my new one. Marjorie and I went out to a couple of Happy Hours, and she is taking me to the airport to catch my flight to Sacramento tomorrow. I am packed and ready. Suitcase weighs 50lbs.
We had Sushi Rolls...Roman stopped by to say goodbye and joined me for dinner. He had a combo stir-fry and I had the Shrimp with Walnuts.
Marjorie took me to the airport on my departure day. I was at my Gate with 1 1/2 hr. before departure, so I got on the phone and down the rabbit hole. I looked up and no one was sitting around or at the Gate. It was 1:40 Departure time. I panicked and ran to the nearest Southwest Airlines gate when I heard the last call for boarding at Gate 18 at the end. I ran while the Southwest Airlines attendant walkie-talked the one closing the door. I got through while everyone was ready for takeoff, and I was the last.
Uber driver took me to Steve and Carmela's lovely home, where Carmela greeted me with a hug. It had been way over 10 years since we attended the Kentucky Derby together. Our last get-together. I spent 2 nights visiting with them and Amy, their daughter, who lived next door. Steve and I visited the Sacramento Art Museum the next day. We had a lovely dinner prepared by Chef Steve, and Chauffer Steve drove me to my flight to Burbank to visit my daughter Heather's family. It was a wonderful visit seeing dear friends.
Steve with daughter Amy
Chef Steve's Sea Bass
My dearest friends...Steve, Carmella, and ME!
I went through the TSA check. No need to take off my jacket, shoes, belt, etc. Then, I went through the scanner, and she said to take all metal off and run through it again. Put my carry-on, but then had to keep adding more as I kept setting the alarm off.
Finally, I grabbed my belt, Kindle phone charger, wallet, hat, etc., and went to the gate while wandering around for coffee at the kiosk. I paid and realized I didn't have my carry-on, so I ran back to security and got it. Now my wait was short, and it was time to board.
Heather, my daughter, picked me up in her new leased Hybrid Lexus SUV. How nice! We had lunch at Porto's, an inexpensive and excellent restaurant where, once you took a bite, you couldn't stop! Both our meals were fantastic.
It looked better before we got into it. That evening, we enjoyed Tacos with the family.
Went for a walk after under the full Moon
Ellis graduated at 8am the next morning in the Stadium of her College. It was a nice ceremony. We celebrated with a nice Lunch at Peddler's Restaurant. No food photos. Hamburg, Pizza, Salad, Cuban sandwich, and I had Salmon with Miso sauce, Fried rice, and Asparagus.
I napped, and Alan made dinner: roast beef, corn on the cob, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus — all delicious.
Today we just hung out...I was starting to cough and cancelled our Malibu park walk. I checked my packing and got ready for my last train trip to San Diego and the Marriott for my last night in the USA.
Thank you all for sharing my 10 week trip, and enjoy this last Post before we start anew from Oaxaca.
Helen and I went into town that afternoon to get some nice sandwiches to go for us and Jenny, her granddaughter who lives in an apartment they added to their home.
