thanks to some CS members whom I met in France

It's so good to be home. I admit, no matter how beautiful and exciting a trip and vacation is, there's no place like home. I missed my children, my love, my beamer, the wide and spacious roads, and all that is American. I used to rent a car before but this time being driven by friends is simply wonderful. I thank you so much Phil for driving your beautiful car (Citroën, full size top of the line). Now I can truly say I am an expert in driving a right side driver car having driven them from England, Australia, Switzerland and France. Amazing how almost all taxis are now Mercedes E class it used to be BMW. Most cars are very small compared to my country, virtually no big SUVs, no trucks like our crew cabs here. And definitely not many luxury cars like we have. Heck I have seen more Ferraris, Aston martin, Porsche and M650/550, here than there.

The good thing is 130 km is a regular speed limit which is awesome compared to California which is 70 miles per hour. And not a single sheriff, police of highway patrol on the road. Needless to say I enjoyed driving without restraint, except Phil and Tess scolded me if I drove past the speed limit. But thanks again Phil for trusting me in driving your beautiful car.

For shopping, merchants in Europe charge 12 percent from customers, while in the US, the merchant pays the CC. I made a mistake using my credit card from shopping on the first three days. After that I withdrew Euro cash from my bank through ATM.

I used to shop a lot when US dollar was higher than Franc or Lira but today our dollar is cheaper by .7 percent than the euro. Buying a Louis Vuitton tote is cheaper at the Broadway in Santa Monica than in France where it's made.

I have mostly flown Swiss Air from the US to Europe before but there's only a direct flight from LA or NY so I flew Delta for the first time and it's okay until they left 250 baggage in Paris and I'm not happy about it.

Anyways, this blog is to thank so many good friends who I met in Paris, most are CS members but this is specifically to Phil and Tess who has shown me the true "France", the country side. Also Brian and Roz (Scotland) Mick and Pat (Ireland), and Mark and Ann (England).

I have had the most memorable experience with all of you and I hope to see you in the US next year.

For hotels I'm so lucky to be a member of 4 and 5 star hotels and 50 percent discount helped a lot. I can't complain on our stay at the Holiday Inn which is a walking distance to the Eifel tower. A last minute decision so I can at least rest one day before my flight but Tess and I decided to stroll Mont Parnassus section and it was fun.

But having been accommodated by the most wonderful hospitality of Phil in his beautiful and sprawling Chateau, Tess and I felt like queens. The elegance, the Atrium, huge bathroom. I never expected such a hospitality. Thanks again Phil. Tess and I planned on staying on a hotel but your kindness and generosity, we're simply blessed. Driving to all the different historical places like Carnac, château, (Mont St Michel), just amazing. I wish I know how to upload pictures, I'd show them here.

Thank you again my friends for making this vacation most memorable and exciting. I will hopefully bring my children next year to see Europe before it's completely changed.