Monday, October 27, 2008

Lyon with our friends Diana and Kevin

Here we are at the roman ruins in Lyon! We had such a great visit with our friends Diana and Kevin! Thanks so much guys for showing us the sights. What a beautiful city! We rode bikes everywhere and did lots of walking to see the sights. Lyon was the first city in France to implement a system of renting out bikes all over the city for everyone to use at a very small cost. There are several pick up and drop off stations all over the city. Its a great way to get around!

Lyon has a network of tunnels between buildings that were used when silk was a big commodity. In order to carry the long spools of silk, tunnels were cut through the city. These secret tunnels were also used during WWII, where allied forces and others trying to escape the Nazi troops would hide. We spent some time searching for these tunnels called Traboules in the old part of Lyon. Check out more of our pics on www.kozbath.shutterfly.com to see more of these pictures.


Photos of Northampton Party and France

Go to

www.kozbath.shutterfly.com

to see pictures of our trip.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Ooo la la Paris!!!

Written by Tammi:
Well we made it to Paris! It is so beautiful, especially at night! We have been walking and walking and walking.... We saw Notre Dame, on our first night and just walked around enjoying the sights of Paris. On every block we noticed there are cafes about 3-4 in just one block. They all serve the same thing, but are pretty busy, especially in the evenings. We have come to France at the right time as smoking in public buildings like restaurants is no longer allowed. Instead everyone has to smoke outside. Outdoor seating here is a part of the scenery. Great for people watching! Paris is a high fashion scene. Ladies wear tall boots with everything! Everyone looks very ...fashionable.
Day 2 we did the Fat Tire bike tour of Paris which in my opinion was the highlight of my trip. in 4 hours we saw so much of Paris and learned about the history as we rode along. Our tour guide was from Wisconsin(another land of cheese) A fact which he was so proud of he had a tattoo of Wisconsin on his forearm.
So things we learned in Paris: The Louis: Louis the 14 built stuff. Louis the 15 enjoyed it, and Louis the 16 paid for it (with his head that is). The Nazis used to march up and down the most famous promenade in Paris between the Arc d' Triumph and the Louve (I forget the name). It would be so hot that his troops would pass out. So Hitler ordered that trees be planted on this street. Now Parisians and tourists enjoy the shade on hot summer days! Thanks Hitler! (You don't hear that one often)
Okay enough random facts, you'll just have to go to Paris and learn for yourselves....:) We highly recommend it!!!!!

Bon Voyage

Matt here:

After saying goodbye to friends and family, our friend Alex decided to give us a going away gift...a bike taxi to the bus station!

(SIDE NOTE: On the way we picked up a surge protector that later blew up in our hotel room in Paris. It shut off all the lights, and it scared the %$#! out of me. Tammi was in the shower when the lights cut! I thought we blacked out the whole hotel! However, one click of the switch at the fuse box by the hotel manager got us back in business.)

The bus and plane rides to France were nothing compared to the bike taxi in Noho! A great send off indeed. Next stop, scenes from Paris!