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PICT0001
Sarah, my brave travelling companion, on the train from Paris's hellhole of an airport. It's 7 am. She hasn't slept all night. Neither have I.
PICT0002
We got off the train at a metro stop downtown and decided to walk to the hostel we hoped would have room for us (after discovering the one we'd made reservations at was in the red light district). In retrospect, it was a mistake to tackle the miles with packs on, but in this picture I was excited. We'd emerged into the city and immediately found a sight! (What is it? Who knows! But definitely a sight.)
PICT0005
The view from the window of our hostel, which finally let us in for a merciful nap at 3:00. Pretty Paris rooftops.
PICT0006
After the blessed sleep, Sarah and I decided to be true tourists and picnic and watch the sun set at the Eiffel Tower. Which we finally found after getting lost, again.
PICT0007
It was really an exquisite picnic. A baguette, brie, the best strawberries I've ever tasted (featured here), and little bottles of chocolate mousse. Probably among the best meals I ate in Europe.
PICT0009
Me, post-picnic, in front of the Eiffel Tower. At this point, I still don't believe we're in Paris.
PICT0010
No comment.
PICT0011
Sarah, in the Paris train station, as we jog to catch the train to Brussels.
PICT0012
Leslie having lunch at a sidewalk café (overpriced, naturalmente) in Brussels. The main plaza is behind me.
PICT0014
Sarah in quaint Belgian street.
PICT0015
Leslie in front of one of many cathedrals in the fine city of Brussels. This one they light up at night, changing colors and patterns to classical music. Cheesy but endearing.
PICT0016
Looking up at said cathedral's spire.
PICT0018
Building facades in the main plaza. The unifying theme: dingy Baroque.
PICT0019
I think the best thing we did in Brussels was leave the beaten tourist path on a walking tour suggested by our faithful "Let's Go." We saw lots of beautiful older buildings side-by-side with modern ones, which I tried to get at with this photo.
PICT0020
A narrow cobblestone street! We must take a picture!
PICT0022
Sarah in a park. (This is all on our book-guided walking tour.)
PICT0023
It's the park aaaand another cathedral.
PICT0025
Some...buildings... (I swear, I deleted a lot of these, but this was just a good representative shot.)
PICT0026
Some more...buildings...
PICT0028
The view from our hostel window--the spire of that first cathedral.
PICT0030
Couldn't go to Belgium without eating a waffle, could we? The crepes are to make up for the oversight in France.
PICT0031
Sarah, on another train. To Amsterdam!
IMG 1753 t
First Class! Location: Boston, MA et alia This is the first time since I was a little kid that I've gotten to sit in first class! It was kind of neat, but at the same time I felt uncomfortable--I feel like I belong in coach. Well, this was were my seat was reserved, so this is where I sat, hot towel and all.
IMG 1754 t
Location: Boston, MA et alia
IMG 1755 t
Location: Boston, MA et alia
IMG 1758 t
Chicago from afar Location: Over Chicago I took a picture of downtown Chicago on our approach. If you squint and convince yourself, you can see the Sears tower.
IMG 1759 t
Chicago Airport Location: Boston, MA et alia
IMG 1760 t
Location: Boston, MA et alia
IMG 1761 t
Logan Airport Location: Boston, MA et alia I arrived in Boston after dark, but not too late. 7pm or so, I think.
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My rental car Location: Boston, MA et alia A Ford Focus, courtesy of MIT. It's always fun to drive a late model car whose long-term maintenance is not your own responsibility.