Nik Arrives!

Nik finally came, arriving Tuesday after a much troubled flight. I was so terribly excited as it has been quite a while since I've seen any family. I showed him some bits of London, we saw some great plays. It was wonderful.

Then we went off to Paris. Instead of showing you all of Paris I will just show you a new acquisition to my list.

Voila, Le Sacre Coeur.

It was massive and beautiful. The tile work inside is highly impressive. It covers such large area of the wall and ceiling. Quite stunning.

We stayed in this area that could not seem to decide which culture to emphasize. When we first arrived the streets were thronged with Middle Eastern people, so crowded and busy. Later that night all these tourist shops suddenly popped up, and no one appeared to be a native. Then the next morning there were streets and streets selling fabric of all kinds, lain out on the sidewalk. The place kept changing on us, but it was only a collection of maybe 4 streets.

Nik and I took a sleeper train to Italy from Paris. Here was my Paris souvenir: wonderfully cute, small, and delicious. Happy? Yes.

The train was an interesting experience. We were bunked with this small, odd Frenchman with a large suitcase and cello that he could not figure out where to put. Nik says the Frenchman got up multiple times during the night to check his stuff and peep outside the cabin window.

In the morning our French friend was the first to hop down and open the door. Only the lock mechanism came out in his hand and he could not fix it. Yes, we were locked in this very cramped, uncomfortable cabin with uncomfortable, foreign, and small people. It was awkward and strange and never-ending. I feel I should also mention the bathroom facilities this train offered were so small that, according to mon frere you'd have to open the door and step out into the hallway to wipe yourself. Also there was a sign above the sink that said 'do not drink the water'. Sketchy? Yes. It didn't help that our Italian cabin manager insisted we lock our door and 'sleep wit da moneys'.

Nik took a hand at the attempt of freeing us after a while. Quite naturally he almost took the door off its hinges, except it didn't have any hinges. But this showed us exactly where the door was stuck (it wasn't the lock). We finally pulled in, all 4 of us close cabin buddies still stuck. Help came in the form of 5 Italian men, 1 mallet, 1 crowbar, and 1 audience member. After much rushed and angered Italian to each other and words of calming to us, some hammering, to the door, and some crowbar to the track the door was off, we all were freed. But missed our connecting train.

Not to worry. We made it to Florence. Eventually.

Florence!

Here is the gorgeous, unbelievable, amazing Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Or simply the Duomo.

Here is Nik climbing the dome (can you see the curve?). Those were some steep steps. Almost put the Notre Dame to shame.

Almost.

Look at its beautiful painted ceiling! It really was breathtaking.

Ok, so that, quickly, our days in Paris and first day in Florence. Certainly a lot more happened, but I'm pretty sure I have never been so caked with sweat in my life. Or my feet so dirty. Shower is much much needed. We love Europeans only so much. I'll copy their art, but never the smell.