Well we woke up after less than 2 hours of sleep to leave London. We had a 5:25am train to catch. After getting out tickets we waited in line to present our tickets, then we waited in line to go through security. Believe it or not these guys made TSA look good. No one mentioned ever that Alan would need to take his laptop out of his bag, oh but he sure got yelled at about it. We then waited in another line to go through customs. We then walked to out train, #18. Although this was the highest number it was the first train. We boarded and had zero leg room. Once we were on our way, Alan headed back to the food carriage to have a bite to eat. He had a ham and cheese toastie with crisps. I slept. Upon arrival we departed the train and went to look for the car rental place.
Thus began the next adventure in not knowing much french. I found the word Voiture, which is french for car. You should all be proud that I remembered that. I then realize that in tiny letters under the main french wording, it is in english. Low and behold the sign said car rentals downstairs. So we head down the nearest stairs. We get down and there are signs for everything but the car rental. Alan goes in search of an ATM to get out Euros so we can go to the bathroom. I wait by the bathroom with our bags for what seemed like an eternity. Alan comes back from a different way with euros, however he only had 100's and I don't think that the bathroom would take them. He couldn't find a change machine along the way. So onward we went to find the car rental. We begin walking in circles in the basement of the train station to no avail. We find information and she tells us we have to go upstairs and downstairs on the other side. Of course you do because that is so smart and practical. A hallway would have been nice but no, they wanted to see me haul 2 suitcases and a garment bag upstairs with no escalator for the good show. Just so you know, Alan had the 2 bigger, heavier suitcases.
So we head back down on the other side to find the voiture rental place and get in line. The man working can't find Alan's reservation, so Alan pulls out his computer to show him. He then tells us that we are at the wrong rental place. Well he told Alan that while I stood out of the way with the luggage. That is all I hear and I then think great, I am going to have to haul this shit all over the metro during rush hour. This is fantastic. A few minutes later, Alan turns around with keys in hand and we head to the parking garage. We find the car that we have nick named Griswold. We get in, I get our maps and Alan's cell out and we go. I hadn't gotten siutated enough when we pulled out of the garage and so we just start driving. Good thing I have a pretty good sense of direction and well Alan has an amazing one. I figure out where we were and we go. At least I thought I knew where we were and we had missed a turn. However, luck for us we run into the freeway. We get on and it is the Peripherique. Fantastic, we now know where we are: In traffic. We continue to drive and are hungry. Oh and we still have to pee.
We stop at the gold arches. Yes, we come all the way to Europe to go to McDonald's not once but twice now. So I decide I need to order in french even though the guy working clearly speaks English. I am sure he thought I was a moron but I needed to put some of my schooling to use. We eat lunch and get on the road. Alan decides there is too much traffic and puts the gps to work.
TO MY FAMILY: We successfully navigated Paris side streets without any issues with the help of GPS and did it on purpose. Alan was quite proud of us.
Back to story: We continue driving for a bit and I take a nap. Alan pulls into a rest stop so he can sleep too. 45 minutes later, he wakes up, takes a potty break and continues driving. I didn't move an inch. Nothing has changed.... He drives another hour or two and we switch. We switch driving turns all the way to Baden-Baden Germany.
Before we get to Baden-Baden, there are signs on the side of the autobahn that we aren’t really sure what they mean. We think they are like our Blue Attraction signs. One said St. Avalon. Alan knew this was a battle site for WWII. We get off at the next exit and start up a road we think might be where this cemetery and memorial might be. Well we were wrong. We turn around and head the other direction. This was correct.
We pull into the visitor area and park. We go to the visitor center to sign the book and find out if we could go to the cemetery. We walk to the roadway towards a large building, turn the corner to see the traditional rows of perfectly placed white crosses and a few stars’ of David. This a sight that can’t be put into words. We walk amongst the graves trying to put words to feelings with no avail. To all our military friends and family, we thank you. To the families and friends who support the military, we thank you even more. We visit the memorial building to view the displays.
We continue on in the car to Baden-Baden. This is a cute little town and there is lots more to come.
Mr. & Mrs. Green
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