I ran Rome

Yesterday Geoff and I caught the last flight out of Paris, into Rome. We booked on a low cost airline, one that demands all checked luggage a fee, however the carry on has no weight restriction, but one must be able to put it in the overhead bins without assistance. Were in line for boarding and there is this lady in front of us. I was intrigued by her because she looked hugely overweight but her legs were little, I was confused by her body type. Then I thought, "Hmmm, maybe she's pregnant at 50...could be." Then she got to the front of the line where the airline attendants refused to let her board because she was hiding another bag under her coat...she was ball-sy!
Today Geoff and I had a glorious breakfast at our hotel and then put on our running shoes. We ran through Rome, stopping when we felt like it. It was a beautiful way to see Rome. I literally love this place. Today has been the best day of my life and it's not even over!

Stretching outside of Piazza del Tribunali

ROME ROME ROME

Versailles yesterday, Rome tomorrow

Two days ago, the gang and I went to Chateau de Versailles and the next day Geoff and I went to the Louvre. Too much French history in too little time. It's bonkers thinking about real people in real castles doing real things, and then me walking through their bedroom 500 years later *WHAT*.

Chateau de Versailles

PS Did anyone else know that the Louvre was a castle that the Revolutionists turned into a museum. No one told me! The Louvre is giant and much too big to see in one day, let alone two. To truly appreciate the Louvre one needs a month pass and lots of hot coffee...but you would never feel confident in your hand steadiness to ever drink coffee in front of thousands of pieces of priceless art.
Today Geoff and I went on a morning run, it was tres romantic. Nemours is truly one of the most beautiful places in the morning. Today we ran down a country side canal with two horses munching on some grass on the left and a tug boat on the right hand side. I could see myself living here...minus the French...today I have managed to mess up every order. I have ordered two espresso's instead of a coffee with milk, I order three sandwiches instead of two, one with eggs on it...and a pastry which I didn't think even existed...someone help

suitcases are for bums

We trained into Paris today...slight gong show. First of all...the land lord only gave the four of us ONE key for the door to the apartment building...not to our apartment, but to the building. So we all have a set of keys, 3 of which are useless. I left Nemours and had to BURY the keys in the dirt in a secret location and then email the girls where I left them. It's like I'm Dark Wing Duck or something. Ya, that's right, Dark Wing Duck. Anyway. Val and I got on the train and I realized I forgot my passport in Nemours, but Geoff and I need it when we fly to Rome...so off the train we get. The worst part is that Val's luggage got messed on her flight over, and now her suitcase is missing a wheel, a very vital wheel, one that makes the luggage roll and steer. We get back to Nemours and realize we have 10 minutes to get back to the apartment, get my passport and get all our luggage to the next train platform. So we devise a plan...a genius plan. I will take both the purses and sprint to the apartment, dig up the keys, unlock all the doors, get my passport, bury the keys and sprint back to the platform...meanwhile Val will take my duffle bag, her duffle bag and her POS suitecase, down a flight of stairs, under the train tracks and then back up a flight of stairs...This plan is fool-proof...
Not too worry we made it in time...just in time for metro traffic in Paris...awesome.

Safe and sound...a few steps in front on the Eiffel Tower

It's time for a baguette. 

Montargis!

Yesterday Val and I went on a true adventure. We got on the train and went in the opposite direction of Paris. We got off on the last stop and just waled around the town. You wanna know what we found? A town that Joan of Arc travelled through. WHAT! HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN? Literally, we walked through history. Montargis has the most canals in France, apparently its called the Venice of France and it has a spectacular primary growth forest, with a track in the middle of it. I found a track in the middle of a forest. Only in France.

Forest in Montargis

Joan of Arc was here in 1419

Does this need a caption?

Enjoying our wine..the French way

Wandering around Montargis after a titch too much wine

Pere Lachaise

Pere Lachaise is like a town for the Dearly Departed

Kissing Oscar Wildes tomb...its what you HAVE to do, only a 9000 euro fine

Pere Lachaise

Today Val and I spent the day at Pere Lachaise (cemetary) in constant awe of the tombs. Some of them are small houses. The cemetary is so beautiful, its impossible to feel sad when one is surrounded by that much beautiy. If you took the graves away it would still be a gorgeous garden.

C'est la vie

The past few days with Val have been good. We went into Fountainebleau where every French king from the 12 - 18 century lived. The castle was magnificent and the forest garden surrounding the castle was just as grand. I was super jealous of all the runners, running through an ancient royal forest without a second thought. No words can actually explain the days here. Yesterday we trained into Paris and spent some time at Sacre Coeur, my favourite basilica here. It the most amazing place, you know that God is there the second you see it. Afterwards we walked around Paris and took more (and more) photos of The Eiffel Tower. It doesn't get old! Today we're going to take the train in the opposite direction of Paris and explore the country side. This is truly the good life, but don't mistake me, I miss everyone at home to n'th degree, it's *hard* being away from you guys!