Loire Valley, France day 6 June 27

We had to say goodbye to the hussle and bussle of Paris. We really loved it all, except for the drivers. Monte always says the pedestrians have the right of way, maybe that is an American rule because it isn't a French one. However, just yesterday a man stopped his car at a green light just to allow Paige to get across the street in her wheelchair. We were extremely impressed with the French people. Well...maybe not all of them like the taxi driver who blew us off this morning. Luckily our chechout person for our apartment noticed we had not been picked up so she called another taxi...we were lucky!

Ernest Hemingway lived right up the street were we stayed. That was kind of cool. We loved the small homey neighborhood. Lots of people out partying, especially with the World Cup going on. We have often heard cars and busses of people blowing horns playing music and cheering as they drive all over town. I heard they were mostly Algerian's.

This is daytime ...

  

We had a quick train ride out of Paris and into Tours to pick up a rental car then headed for Villandry Gardens and Chataux. Beautiful! Paige had an awesome chance to ride a horse in the garden. She was able to ride him pretty fast! She loved it.

Next we headed for Chinon to see the medieval village and fortress. That was great too. Rain had been threatening all afternoon and we almost made it. Had a bit of lunch in the car.

We ended up shopping, but us girls only do one kind of shopping....

It is only right to cap off a great day with a great meal....

Paige informed me that she likes "vacation mom" a lot better than normal mom. I guess I'm a lot more fun when I spend money! It is so easy to spend money here because the money is like board game money. It doesn't look real. Plus, with the exchange rate it makes it even seem better. Dinner tonight only cost 31€ per person. Hearing that 31 seems expensive but not too bad, and with fake money it is easy. Now, if you do the math you find that meal really cost $43. So, they key is just pretend it is fake and you can have a whole lot of fun!