What's She Up to Now? Jody's Life Blog

Aug 25th Paris and Real Life

Howdy!

I will again be showing honor to the French flag through my use of color in my blog. Their flag is blue, white, and red. I'll write in red and the prompt will be in blue.

Aug 25th Paris

Rise and shine Peeps, we're off to a castle today!
Discover one of France’s top attractions in style and make memories to last a lifetime on this 4-hour Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte helicopter tour from Paris including Champagne reception. Fly over Paris and take in fine views over the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. Enjoy a Champagne reception on arrival at the castle, admire a 360° view around the estate from the dome which is 25 meters high, then explore the grand suites, hallways and gardens at your leisure. Afterward, hop into your limousine and return to your Paris hotel. Upgrade to a round-trip helicopter tour and take to the skies as the sun sets. Highlights Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte helicopter tour from Paris Admire the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Palace of Versailles from the air on a 35-minute flight Land on the grounds of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, one of France's must-see castles. Enjoy a Champagne and macaron reception. Explore the house and gardens at your leisure (audio guide and golf cart rental included). Travel back to your Paris hotel by luxury limousine, or upgrade to enjoy a return helicopter ride.

What You Can Expect: Use your audio guide to discover more about Vaux-le-Vicomte. Your helicopter tour departs from Héliport d'Issy-Les-Moulineaux in southwest Paris in the morning. Aboard a state-of-the-art helicopter, take to the skies over Paris on a 35-minute flight, admiring aerial views of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the nearby Palace of Versailles before heading to the Château. Touch down at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in Maincy, about 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Paris. Soak up views of the beautiful 17th-century château and gardens, and step inside to enjoy a welcome reception. Enjoy the sumptuous surroundings as you sip Champagne and savor macarons. This light, tasty treat — comprised of two flavored meringue biscuits with a ganache, buttercream or jam filling — is one of the most popular pastries in France. Grab your audio guide for an informative self-guided tour of the château, filled with original furnishings, lavish gilded walls, impressive stone statues and tapestries. One of the most beautiful, stately and significant French castles, Vaux-le-Vicomte was the inspiration behind Versailles and is a testament to the architectural prowess of Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances of notorious King Louis XIV. Climb to the top of the dome and admire a 360° view around the estate from the dome which is 25 meters high. Wander the beautifully manicured gardens at your leisure, or hop in a golf cart and ride around the grounds in style! Perhaps visit the château’s restaurant to enjoy more snacks or refreshments (own expense). At the end of your visit, hop in a luxury limousine and relax on the drive to your Paris hotel, or upgrade to enjoy a round-trip helicopter flight. Re-board the helicopter, lift off and soar back to Paris at golden hour. Have your camera ready for these views! Land at Héliport d'Issy-Les-Moulineaux to conclude your tour.

Read more about Helicopter Tour to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte from Paris Including Champagne Reception - Paris | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Helicopter-Tour-to-Chateau-de-Vaux-le-Vicomte...

Thankfully, Lyn's a Witchy Woman let us sleep in some. How generous! Well, it is only a 4 hour tour after all.

I was excited for the helicopter tour! I'm SO GLAD we had already gone to so many places before seeing them from the sky. I don't think I would have appreciated the ride so much if I hadn't gotten up close and personal with so many places first. Not to mention, knowing their history adds to the excitement!

When we'd landed, I'd forgotten I could tell them ahead of time that I don't care for wine or champagne. Oh well. I offered mine to Spacecat and he politely accepted. I'm not sure if he was just being a gentleman or was excited for more free alcohol, but I didn't really care. I wasn't wasting mine and that's all that mattered to me. lol However, I didn't give up my macarons. I'd seen them a lot, but had never had them. Turns out I really liked them. And they're so little, how bad for you can they be?

After an eye-popping tour of this phenomenal castle, we went outside to tour the grounds via golf cart. Oh good grief! When SB Musing offered to drive me, Sally, and Jellyfish in Morocco, I didn't think a thing about it. But upon reflection, there was a glint in her eye and a spring in her step that wasn't natural. I should have known. On the good side, she saved me a good decade of life in a retirement home because I'm pretty sure that ride took 10 years off my life! HAHAHA!

After I was done with the ride of terror, I decided to go get something to eat. I ran into SandraLynn and we went to the onsite restaurant. I had a lovely light salad and she seemed to really enjoy her soup and sandwich. I hadn't spent time with her recently, so it was nice getting to chat for a while before we headed back.

I'd opted for the helicopter ride back and it was AWESOME! I really enjoyed the trip over, but getting to see the sun setting, plus the lights of the city of lights at night was fantastic. It was totally worth that extra $400! lol

Hope you enjoyed the champagne because this evening we're going to see the darker side of Paris.

Challenge your romantic illusions of gay Paris on a terrifying 2-hour tour of the city’s most sinister spots. Delve into the eerie mysteries of the City of Light, strolling the serpentine streets in search of spectres and spooks; stray from the beaten path with a masterful story teller, discovering unfamiliar facts about the captivating capital as you venture to sites of reputed haunting. Gain fascinating insight into the horrible history of the city when you visit mystery-shrouded sites like the Place de la Vert Gallant and the Palais du Justice.

Highlights: Night walking tour of Paris' ghosts, mysteries and legends. Discover the dark and violent history that lurks beneath the city's sparkling facade. Hear fascinating ghost stories. See the Hotel de Concierge, where Marie Antoinette was once imprisoned. See the old Place du Greve, where many were tortured and killed.

Sites visited on the walking tour:Place de la Vert Gallant, St Germain de Auxerrois, La Fontaine de la Croix du Trahoir, Rue de la Ferronnerie, Square of the Innocents, The Rat Trap Shop (as seen in the movie Ratatouille), Tour St JacquesLa Fontaine du Palmier, The River Seine, The ConciergerieIle de la Cité, Palais du Justice, Hotel Dieu, Hotel de ville

Read more about Ghosts, Mysteries and Legends Night Walking Tour of Paris - Paris | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Ghosts-Mysteries-and-Legends-Night-Walking-To...

SWEET! I love ghost tours! I always try to hit them whenever there's one in a town I'm visiting! This one was NOT disappointing! There were a lot of sad stories and some creepy "after stories" but I'm really glad I came on this tour! Good times! Princess Megan Snow Rose and Finn O'Flaherty hung out with me during the tour and we chatted between stories. It was nice. They're pretty fun ladies!

Dig deep into history with a 2-hour underground Paris Catacombs tour. Learn why the bones of more than six million people were deposited under the city in a complex maze of tunnels that you definitely need a guide to navigate. Highlights 1.5-hour tour of the Paris Catacombs Take a narrated walking tour of the fascinating underground labyrinth of tombs Hear the story behind the Catacombs from your informative guide

Read more about Skip The Line Paris Catacombs Tour - Paris | Viator at: https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Skip-The-Line-Paris-Catacombs-Tour/d479-6159C...

The Catacombs were just CRAZY! First, I'm impressed with the balls of the guy who suggested the idea as a solution to overcrowded cemeteries. Second, I can't imagine the heartbreak of some of the families who regularly visited their loved ones and then find out they are going to be moved to basically a mass grave. Third, I'd hate to be down here alone. You WILL get lost! That was just insane! I'm really glad I went, though. My only complaint was that it was like 50-something degrees and I got really cold after a while. But then, if I'd gotten online and read, I would have known to bring a jacket, so it's my own fault... On the good side (because I'm rude), I was hanging out with BlueMoon on the tour and she was also cold, so we commiserated. lol

Sweet dreams my lovelys!

Real Life
Well, because I have a tendency to do things without thinking the plan through ever since Iraq, I scheduled an appointment in Chicago (I live in North Carolina) for October 17. She's a brain injury specialist. I'm REALLY hoping she can shed some light on my "lapses of awareness" when my brain just sort of shuts down and I can't understand what's happening around me--like I can't even recognize the streets I'm on. Sort of a "lights are on, but nobody's home" type of thing. That's why I had to quit driving. I almost ran over a pedestrian who had to jump out of the way. I totally saw her, but nothing suggested it was a problem that I was about to run her over. Sometimes I have a visual memory, but no emotions or anything else attached to it. Other times it's all a complete blank. I won't be staying in Chicago for treatment, but I want her to look me over and decide what course of treatment she'd recommend to end these lapses so I can one day drive again. For that matter, I can't even legitimately take a job. I'm not safe when these events happen. I'm hoping she has an answer!

I entered my Hook to Book yesterday and I thought it was just hysterical when I was writing it. Well, in the light of day, I find it less hysterical, but still cute and amusing. I've gotten several reviews of it so far and they are all positive. That makes me feel good. I'm considering entering it in the Chapter One contest too.

TTFN



Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.
- Gene Fowler