The Beginning

Tuesday 4th September 2012

Hi, Janine here and this is what I hope to be the beginning of a truly magnificent experience Colin and I are about to embark on.  I'd love you to follow us as we go on this journey.

Many years ago I began to dream of going to Paris.  It all started when one of my 3rd form electives at College was French and from that point on I was hooked.   I wanted to see Paris.  However, just because I did a few years of lessons,  don't for a minute think that means I can speak French.  I'm afraid those classes were many years ago and almost all memories I have of those classes have been lost.  I can recall a few phrases and who knows how much I will remember once I get there.  Yes, you read right. We are going, and soon. 

Planning began a couple of years ago when I decided if I was to turn the big "50", then I deserved to do it in style.  For those of you who know me well, you will know I battled cancer 12 years ago now and this has changed my outlook on life somewhat.  Live life to the fullest because you never know what is around the corner so with that in mind and a milestone birthday looming the beginnings of the trip started.  We started a Europe savings account and a year on we attended the Travel Show in Auckland to begin planning in earnest.

We came across the Cosmos Bus Tours stand and looked at the various trips available and decided this was the one that suited our budget.  As France is such a long way to go we decided to make the most of the long journey and do a bit of a tour around Europe as well, but always keeping in mind the main focus was to spend a bit of time in Paris with the most important aim to be in Paris on the 27th September 2012.

The time difference between NZ and Europe created a bit of a dilemma for me as to which day I would actually celebrate my birthday.  I guess the only way around that is to have two celebrations and what a shame that would be.  NOT!  We will actually be arriving in Paris on what I will call my Europe Birthday and we will be going to the Eiffel Tower for dinner.  Ah but I am getting well ahead of myself and that will be another post you will get to read.  I might say a little happy birthday to myself on my NZ birthday and perhaps if I am really spoilt we might celebrate that day as well.

The spoiling has already begun.  I had family up a couple of weekends ago and enjoyed some family time, a celebratory dinner with champagne and gifts.

This last weekend, I had a celebration with 3 of my friends.  A "French Themed Night" with a very french menu of delicious goodies for dinner.

Unfortunately for me a T-Shirt I ordered off Trade Me for the "French Themed Night" didn't arrive in time so I whipped up the below ensemble from a white T-Shirt and cut strips out of an old red shirt and blue shirt and sewed these onto the front to represent the French Flag.  That's me in the middle in case you didn't guess.  Not looking my best if I do say so myself due to a nasty cold.  Debbie in the green beret and Donnay dressed for the French open are friends from on old workplace of mine.  Sue is behind the camera in this one.  The next photo shows Sue in her French Maid outfit.  So all in all a great night.

 

And so people, stay tuned for more updates as they occur.  Oh and by the way, only 6 more sleeps to go :-)