Back in Paris

I'm still in the middle of my whirlwind family adventures, but back in Paris... so hopefully in the next couple of days I'll be able to get caught up on all of the fun things I've seen/done/eaten, etc. in the last two weeks or so.

As a little preview...

-Strasbourg: listened to the lovely Hallelujiah chorus in a goregous sun-coming-through-the-stained-glass centuries old cathedral. Maybe I cried because I was so moved. No making fun, you would have cried, too.

-Salzburg: "tea with jam, jam and bread" posing on the famous Von Trapp "Do-Re-Mi" fountain

-Vienna: Lots of churches, charming streets, and a beautiful castle (which we were, unfortunately, only able to take pictures of from the grounds, and not inside).

-Prague: giving all the Euros we had to a shady cop just past the border into the Czech Republic, deciding I hated the Czech Republic, and then changing my mind and thinking it was "okay" after visiting gorgeous and interesting Prague

-Dresden: two wonderful days with our friends Reiner and Heike in a beautiful city which is still recovering (architecturally and otherwise) from the effects of WWII. Beautiful architecture, and a super-outdoorsy feel to the general area. Loved that.

I decided that I wouldn't be completely opposed to marrying a German or Austrian guy who also speaks impeccable English. Some of those little country villages look verrrrrrry appealing. Quaint. Charming. Quiet. And surounded by history, with just a short drive to a thriving city. (Though this is also still entirely true of France. Preferable, really. I'm just keeping my options open...)

And the Czech Republic has kind of wierd candy. Just sayin'...

Stay tuned, I'll be back with what will probably be more pictures and details than you care to see. I won't be offended if you pick and choose, skim, or ignore them altogether. I'm just happy to have an internet connection again for more than 5 seconds so I can finally get some work done.