Oh WOW.
Now that is neat!! :app:

Our docs are arriving via private courier...

...Arlene just boarded the plane to Brussels hand carrying our docs. :D

:lct:

I am a little worried about Bing and Carol.
Carol ended up in the hospital Saturday evening
with double pneumonia. Report is she goes home Tuesday. Sure hope she recovers in time to go! :ohmy: :mecry: :hug: :(

Oh no Jim, sure hope Carol will be OK !!

Carol is sicker than we thought.
Guess they put her in a induced coma yesterday afternoon and brought her out of it today.
If things go well she should be able to go home Wednesday.
She was sick enough that they flew her to Billings
on the air helicopter.
Got this information from one of her co-workers.

Very sorry to hear the news Jim but hope she is on the mend soon -

Jim, we've got our fingers crossed for Carol. We have not had the pleasure of meeting she and Bing, but I know it would be a real disappointment for you and Jan, if they had to cancel.

Oh, my, Jim. So sorry that Carol is that ill. Although I'm not on this trip, I know how much you have looked forward to it, especially going with your friends. I had pneumonia for the entire month of August. I can't imagine having double pneumonia and then being put in a temporary coma. Unfortunately, it takes awhile to recover from pneumonia. My thoughts go out to Carol and Bing.

Jim I am so sorry to read about Carol, but pray she is doing much better. You and Jan will sure miss them on your cruise.

Good heavens .. that is very bad news indeed. I wish Carol a speedy recovery, and send both Bing and Carol a big hug. Scary stuff!

Cheers, Anne

I do hope she's better

Oh Jim....how sad. My very best wishes to Carol for a quick recovery. You have been so looking forward to this time together. My very best.....

Just got off the phone with Bing.
He had just talked to Ngaire and informed her
they would have to cancel going on the trip.
Carol is still in the hospital on a ventilator.
Yesterday was the 1st day he was allowed to talk to her and that was very short visit. It will be next week sometime before she will be able to go home.
:( :(

Sorry to hear this Jim and hope she recovers soon -

I'm so sorry to hear this Jim. They're such a nice couple. I hope she recovers very soon!

Such sad news for them to have to cancel this trip. Please pass on our wishes for a speedy recovery.

Just received an update on Carol.
She is still in ICU but out of isolation ward.
Still has the ventilator as she struggles breathing on her own.
Does not sound like she had H1N1

Friday 11/27/09

They have taken the ventilator off.
Seems to be lots of improvement.
Doctors are hoping she can go home
Wednesday or Thursday next week.

wonderful news Jim!

thanks very much, Jim. Glad to see she's starting to see meaningful improvement. She's way too young for this kind of trouble!!

I'm so glad to hear this, Jim.

Wonderful

We visited our first Christmas market today in the village of Løve (Danish for lion) about 100 km SW of Copenhagen. It was held in a 150 year old windmill and it was lovely to see. It's nowhere as extensive as what we'll see on Paris but interesting and unique anyway. For those of you packing for Paris, even farther up north in Denmark where the temperatures are in the low to mid 40's. we're getting by quite well with a sweater and a lightweight jacket. Layering works well when you're going between the windy outdoors and warm buildings. Pat carried her fur jacket on the plane so it didn't interfere with packing. Marcie, if you & others bring a fur, we can have fur coat gatherings in the pubs.
See y'all next week.
Jim

We also visited our first Christmas Market today; here in Brussels. Lots of stalls selling lots of food and drink. The merchandise for sale was a bit more limited than we had expected; not much in the way of Christmas ornaments. They have two classic carousels, an outdoor ice skating rink, and a ferris wheel. We didn't buy anything, yet; waiting for PARIS.

We hope everyone has safe travels. See you all in a week!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon....our bags are packed and we're ready to pull out this afternoon.

Have a fantastic tome everyone

Christmas Wonderland River Cruise

Wow, sounds delightful.

To: Paris people

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2003142792161&source=jl999

From: Ray & Penny

Thank you, Ray, for that wonderful card. I am so sorry we won't have you to document it all (and Penny for the company as well). Ken is in charge once again!

how nice Ray, thank you so much......

Ray and Penny thanks for the Bon Voyage card. We wish y'all were on PARIS as well.

Carolyn

FROM NY TIMES today:
Experiencing Christmas in a country not your own can be an enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday. I contacted Doreen Carvajal, a reporter at The International Herald Tribune to ask her about the Christmas markets in Paris, and she told me in an e-mail message that there are many; she particularly recommends the one at La Défense, which, she wrote, fills up with rows and rows of little chalet-like stalls. There, you can find Christmas accessories, leather slippers, jewelry and scarves and can sample the winter flavors of foie gras, sausage and hot wine.

Have the best time ya'll!!! I know you will, lots of "Parismail" if you can.

Jim - Haven't been on this thread for a couple of weeks, so missed the story of your friends. Sure hope Carol is doing better and that she will be home soon. Please pass along our wishes for a speedy recovery - know how hard it is when close friends have to cancel something you've been planning a long time.

Interesting Joanna.
Wonder how far that is from our hotel?

Jim I have no idea I have done zero research for this trip :( :mecry:

I don't know exactly where your hotel is; however, you can easily get to La Defense with RER A or Metro 1.

We wish we were joining you in Paris!!

Just checked the long range weather. Light rain or rain every day except Friday which shows fog and clouds. Temps in the high to low 40s.

Guess I'll dig out my rain slicker and umbrella

Normally we wait until the night before we leave to do our packing. Don't know what got into us but
we did it yesterday afternoon. :ohmy:
Looks like 1 checked bag and 1 carry on for each of us.
Is there any plans on meeting somewhere at the hotel
like around 5:00 pm after we get to Paris for a little cocktail or two?

Jim, most flights arrive in the morning; do you really expect PARISites to wait until 5pm to get together for a "cocktail or two?" Shouldn't this be arranged for noon? :D

:lct:

JoAnn, I think you are on to something, we can't call it seamail for this trip!
How about canalmail, oohlalamail, riverdirt or tresmail?