On the road with Jim and Pat: Hello from Karlsruhe, German

Hello from Karlsruhe, Germany

Saturday Morning; August 16, 2008 (third travelogue of this trip)

Note: the photos for this post are at the bottom of the post.

As was the case with the last travelogue, I am starting this on the train (Friday afternoon). In this case, it is the high speed train from Paris to Karlsruhe. This train has seating much like that in first class on a plane. It also has an AC power outlet to power our computer.

We need to catch up on a couple of things. We have always traveled by train when we are in Europe. We buy a Eurail pass (only available in the USA) that lets us travel 1^st class on any train in Europe at any time. The trains here are absolutely great. The passenger trains will take you most anywhere, run frequently, and are generally very prompt and clean. First class (only class available with Eurail) is very similar to first class plane accommodations. The passenger trains are almost always electric and run on their own set of tracks (no freight trains on the same track). It is easy to figure out the schedule. For this trip Pat made several reservations for the major legs of the trip (extra cost, but required on some trains). The rest of the time, we will show up at the station and figure out where we are going to go. If we get on the wrong train it is no big deal, we just get off and get on the right train without worrying about having to buy tickets. The Eurail pass also lets us travel on cog trains, and the boats on the Rhine.

When we traveled to Bruges, it was our second time there. Both times we traveled with a Gates co-worker and both times in a Citroen (premium French Car). The first time, was many years ago and we traveled in a Citroen DS which was a car that was way ahead of its time. I have attached a picture of this kind of car (last made in 1972, I think). I am also attaching a photo of Jos and the Citroen that we traveled in this time. It was a very modern 1600 CC diesel powered, 5 speed standard vehicle that had great power, and gets about 35 MPG. There appears to be several organizations in the US devoted to the history and collection of Citroens. One is: http://www.citroen-ca.com/members.html. The DS had a very unique hydraulic over air suspension that was said to be superior to anything on the road.

The weather here has been quite good for touring. The highs have been in the 70s and low 80s, with a few showers. It looks like it will be that kind of weather for a few days. However it looks like it will be pretty hot when we get to Rome.

When we got to Paris we bought Metro (subway) three day passes. We got very proficient getting around the town. Often times transferring several times on a trip.

Our hotel in Pars (see photo) was very small, as were the rooms! It is located (here). However, it was fairly typical of the older hotels in Europe. Most are not air conditioned, but that was not a problem, as the evenings were cool and we opened the windows (no screens). It was quite comfortable.

Tuesday evening (8/12) we rode the subway to the Moulin Rouge (three stops and one transfer). It is a very famous night club (French Can Can). We did not go in, but it seems to be a “happening” for both tourists and locals.

Wednesday morning we went to Sacre-Coeur which is a beautiful cathedral overlooking all of Paris. Our Metro tickets covered the cost of the Funicular (cable car) up the steep hill to the church.

Wednesday afternoon we took the Metro to Champs Elysees (a beautiful tree lined street for perhaps one mile and then very fancy stores for the second mile) leading up to the Arch de Triumph. This is a magnificent monument to commemorate military events. It was built by Napoleon stating in 1806. We went to the top (284 steps, but we took a lift part way).

Wednesday evening we booked a tour which included a boat ride on the Seine river, and a dinner at the 95 meter level of the Eiffel tower. It was a great experience. We then took the tour bus back to the Moulin Rouge and walked about a mile back to the hotel.

Thursday we took a combination Metro/train ride out to Versailles. The Palace and Gardens of Versailles was built in the seventeenth century by Kings Louis XIII and XIV. It became the center of the French Government. It is a huge set of buildings with unbelievable art and decoration. We took a private tour of the King's “apartment” and the gorgeous Chapel. I have included a photo that shows some of the Estate. There is no way to photographically do justice to this very famous location.

Sorry this is a bit long, but there is so much to document and I had some time on this three hour train trip.