"The Last time I Saw Paris....."

We encountered only a few snags on our first European tour, and we managed to escape without injury although our nerves were a bit frayed at one particular point.

On our last evening in Paris we rushed through all of the sites we could before ending our evening with the most important stop of all, The Hard Rock Cafe Paris. As we had discovered all through our European experience there is one thing that is very true, they never rush you through a meal. They consider disturbing you as you dine to be rude, so you must get their attention for everything including the bill. So, after walking, hunting, and running into a couple of Americans ( how funny it is to feel such excitement when you hear your own language being spoken and you can recognize a southern accent...home!)we located the restaurant where we would celebrate our son's 19th birthday..The Hard Rock Cafe in Paris.

After dining on a wonderful meal and enjoying a , yes..chocolate dessert accompanied by happy birthday being sung in French we were ready to head back to the hotel via the subway train. It was nearly 1:00 a.m. and the cafes were still filled with people sippping wine and coffee and enjoying conversation. There was a lovely chill in the air and we were full and ready to rest. Armed with our subway map and our trusted leader, we purchased our ticket and entered the subway platform.

The train arrived and as we welcomingly took our seats and began to relax we heard, "oh, nope, we have to get off at the next stop, it will be faster if we take the "A" train directly to the Airport and get a taxi to the hotel." No questions asked we popped off at the next stop, where we heard again, " oh, nope we need the next stop and then up to the train back to the airport." With a snarl, and a huff, we watch and wait for the next train, "swooosh", we get on quickly, but not quite fast enough, my son begins to get in just as the door is closing, so I did what any mom would do, I threw my body in the way of the door, and felt a sharp pain permeate my shoulder, but the kid gets on board.

Alas, the next stop, and out we go, heading up the stairs, my thighs burning, and to the train area, but it was chained and locked. Almost immediately we hear and see three gurads and a muzzled german shepherd dog, the subway it closed. We were escorted out and onto the streets of Paris at 1:30 a.m., as taxis are flying by, people are milling through the alley ways, and we are praying for safe passage to our hotel and at least a few hours of sleep before dawn.

I wish I had a picture of this!