Our Journey

Thankfully, this part of the trip was without great incident. Our first leg was from Portland to Vancouver BC. This flight left at 7 o'clock, so Ben and I were up by 4 getting ready.

From Vancouver, we had a flight to Toronto, which would leave at 10. After passing the Canadian Border Guard's inspection, and after reclaiming our misplaced baggage (only to carry it across the room), we entered what Vancouver must think is it's trademark - hallways. Never ending, monotonous hallways. 

This, mind you, is only the last third or so of two very long hallways we had to cross (not to mention many more smaller ones). Notice it's simple glass walls. No doors here. Ben and I chuckled as we thought of the architect who designed it. "Hmmm...let's put another long hallway over there. That way, people coming internationally or early in the morning can have a long way to walk before actually being able to get anywhere." Moving on. Our flight to Toronto was likewise uneventful, taking nearly 4.5 hours to fly there. This was the first place that we heard equal amounts of English and French being spoken. Boarding on a supposedly 7:30 flight, we weren't actually off till past 8pm (about 5pm in Portland time). Apparently, a high school class from Toronto area were also going to Paris. Though Ben and I were seated in row 53, the high school managed to get behind us. Two or three of them were always talking during the whole flight.

Portland time, we were leaving Toronto at 5ish pm, and would be landing in Paris near midnight. Thanks to time zones, we arrived in Paris at 9 o'clock in the morning. Then came the scramble for the baggage claim. Actually, there wasn't really a scramble. Half a dozen bags were started, but then for some reason it stopped for 20 minutes! I had heard that our train was leaving at 10:10, but thankfully, we had our bags in time to catch our train. We walked out into the flash of cameras and signs, amongst whom was Uncle David. A trip on the TGV to Tours, meeting our Aunt Jenn, then a drive to Clos Lucé, where Da Vinci died. It is an amazing place, but sadly, my iPod was on low battery power. Therefore, I've got a few pictures, but none that really do it justice.

Here's the Acheron's double hulled side...imagined by Da Vinci.

This is an automatic hammer and anvil. 

We then spent some time getting gelatos, and walking along the Loire whilst eating them before they melted, in which I was unsuccessful. After another drive, we arrived in Loches at about 3:30 in the afternoon. 

We had a relaxed afternoon, though they did make sure we stayed awake until 9pm to make sure that we got accoustomed to the time switch. Of course, to write everything that we did would make the post much longer than it already is.