We drove into Paris, one of my favorite places on earth. For me, going into Paris is like a dreamstate. I can't believe that I am there. It is so beautiful, romantic, and Heavenly. Many moons ago on my first trip there, with my family, we were on the Eiffel Tower and I thought I was in Heaven, I still feel that way. Never go up on the Eiffel Tower with me, I never come down and it is a pain for everyone else . Ask my family!
OH that place is incredible. When I saw it on this trip for the first time, it was like my heart sank(does that sound right?). The most incredible sight is when they have the flashing white lights all over it. it is truly one of the most touching sights ever.
If Parisians are proud of their city(and they are), they have an absolute right to be.
I am proud of LA, so, can relate......

The creme de la creme for a trip to Paris is going to Champs-Elysees. Love this place and again, dreamstate. Mon ami ripped open the American box of chocolates that I always give him, fun to watch, I will tell you. He had about 3 bags of aviation things to sort through and it is fun to see him go through everything I bring him.

While he waited inside for a table at our usual resto, Fougets, I stayed outside like an American goof and took in the wind, rain, and cold, I loved it! It was a fresh feeling and it just felt so good to be there.

We had a nice dinner, of course!, and caught up on things. I appreciate his interest in my fiance and getting married. Many were surprised that I, the worldtraveler , would actually settle down, but his reaction was the most interesting.
We had 2 French women(older, fyi) next to us who clearly eavesdropped on our conversations, kind of fun. Most was in English, though the waiter came over, prepared, speaking English, and I spoke French, hence, he went to French. Hey, I had my translator
. I adore this translator!!! He is a good man and very happy to call him a friend.
Probably one of the most generous and kind hearted souls one could ever meet.
Helps my view of the human race. If more were like him, it would be a different world, to say the least. As he was scheduled to get up early, he was nice by not dropping me off at the Air France bus, and took me back to CDG, which is a drive, when you live in Paris. It was a karmic payback when I stayed out with him til 2am at LAX one week earlier waiting for his lost bag that AF messed up in Paris and had to send via Air Lib( I hate that name).
See, karma really does work. Merci mon ami.

I was exhausted but did my best to stay up and catch up on French tv, which I love.
They even had Fox news, in addition to CNN Int'l and BBC World, all of which are great stations(hey, they are in English ). One more trip to the lounge and more drinks, I still have some. END OF PART 5



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Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver