We wandered around the general vicinity of the Pompidou for about an hour, looking at the shops and our map.  Why didn’t we think to bring a compass?  When the streets go all sorts of crazy directions, how do you keep track of North?  But we eventually got there, and it was really exciting.  We definitely will be going back before we leave.

When we got there, there was a street actor/director putting on a ‘show’.  His actors were dragged out of the audience (2 didn’t speak French), and he directed them in an action sequence where the girl breaks up the fight and ends up with the hero in the end.  It was a hoot.

One of the most striking exhibits (to me anyway), was the giant cube made of toothpicks.

We had a fantastic dinner at a random restaurant.  We had risotto with fromage, and chicken caesar salad with potatoes.  They were both incredibly tasty.

Our hotel room has a fantastic view of St. Augustin church, and Place de St. Augustin

Church St Augustin

And it also has a really cool spiral staircase leading to the rooms.

It also has a comfy bed and a super-deep bathtub.  And a flat panel TV (all in French!).

We safely arrive in Paris around 11am local time (5am back home), and proceeded smoothly to our hotel. It’s a wonderful place at Place de St Augustine, with a great view and nice room.  We had a short nap, and now are off to the Pompidou and dinner.

Eli and I waiting for our first plane

Well, my cell rang at 4:24 this morning, it was U.S. Airways, informing us of a 50 minute delay of my flight from Hartford to Philadelphia. Right, 50 minute delay for a flight scheduled to leave at 5:30 PM tonight. You couldn’t wait until normal, sane, daylight hours to call and inform me of that?

Ah well, bad juju done and gone with.

In the word of the immortal Ship Densmore: We’re off, like a bride’s nighty.

We’re getting ready to leave on our around the world adventure.  Two more days of packing, work, and playing with the kitty  before we’re on our way!  We’ll update as often as we can, so check back soon!

Itinerary
We leave Friday November 20th from Hartford headed to Paris. Here’s our itinerary:

11/20: Leave Hartford
11/21: Arrive in Paris
11/25: Leave Paris, arrive in Mumbai, India.
11/26: Leave Mumbai, arrive in Ahmedabad, India.
11/28: Leave Ahmedabad, arrive in Mumbai
11/30: Leave Mumbai
12/1 : Arrive in Aukland, New Zealand
12/18: Leave Aukland, arrive in Oakland, CA
12/21: Leave Oakland, arrive in DC
12/25ish: Drive to CT