Au Revoir Paris; Now it’s under and over the seas

Another non-stop Wednesday greets us. Bobbi and I awaken still happy and full from our excellent (though late) entrecote. Got to the Le Relais de Venise last evening about 9:30 (after getting some nice sunset shots, then lightshow shots, of the Tour Eiffel, the Invalide, the Ecole Militaire, etc.) and of course the queue was fairly long. Finally got in the door about 10:45, then it was up the micro-stairway to the more intimate, completely lacquer-red upstairs dining room. Once seated we got the two questions: how do you want it cooked, which wine would you like to drink. It was…just perfect, the best way to end this leg of the journey. Major props to Stephanie in Austin for the fast intel! Anway, back to Wed AM… Bobbi organized our many items and got a box of books sent back home while I did a quick edit for our client’s upcoming Board meeting. Then the fun began: the too-long cab ride to Paris Nord station and the Eurostar platform; the Eurostar systems not finding---then finally finding, 10 minutes before departure--our pre-paid reservations; the very fast and fun and nap-inducing train ride through the northern France countryside in uncomfy, 2nd class seats. One thing we like about the Eurostar experience is….when you start in France, all announcements are first in French, and then in English; once you pop out on the other side of the Channel, the announcements are first in English and then in French. And vice versa. Anyway, our arrival at Waterloo was normal until Bobbi discovered that there are no loos in Waterloo once you exit the secured Eurostar platforms area. Who knew no loos? Perhaps a sign or an announcement might have been in order. After another long queue we stuffed all three of us and our bags into a black cab destined for Heathrow. Had a very nice driver who somehow managed to drive us past some of our fave places; the little pub across from Parliament (one of the ones with a Division Bell inside it which alerts Members that it’s time to drink up and head back to vote); the very clean and white Westminster Abbey (seems they’re cleaning all the important buildings up in the city; nice!); the Cabinet War Rooms, down along the gardens and past Buckingham Palace, then past another fun pub (the Bag o’ Nails), through Kensington and Chelsea and, 71 pounds later, to Heathrow Terminal 4. Discovered the 30 kg bag limit that BA has in Heathrow, and after some quick re-packing (hope our dirty laundry bag makes it to Buenos Aires) we were squared away. Next bit of new knowledge came when we learned about the VAT refund scam. In Paris we bought some small items. As you leave the EU, when you attempt to get your VAT refund on small items, they ask to see them. (“What, are you kidding? They’re packed! What kind of a scam is this?”). So after some huffing and puffing by me, followed by an apology by me, we got our VAT refunds sorted out, banged back some tall drinks in the British Airways lounge, and boarded our flight; 12 hours to Sao Paulo, a quick layover, then a few more hours on to Buenos Aires where we hit the ground running!

Factoids: BA Business Class seats on the 747; the most comfy yet! This is the first time either Kahunas have been below the equator (and the toilets do flush counterclockwise)!
Fun update: We’re still on the ground in Sao Paulo, and the new batch of passengers is boarding….and they are quite enthusiastic and loud! Viva Brasil!