Day 9 - Chugga Chugga Chugga CHUNNEL

July 8 - Day 9: Our last morning in Paris... much last minute shopping is taking place. Donna and I are way short on suitcase space and I am pretty sure I am going to have to buy another bag to get all my gifts home in.

None of us are happy to be pulling our suitcases along behind us again, but we are hoping to arrive with plenty of time to make sure we are in the correct Coach and in the correct seats.

Getting out of Paris and into London, through customs and immigration at the train station was more then hectic. Carrying all our stuff, tickets, passports, pens, filling out forms, all in a massave line of people. We were all relieved to find our seats and just chill for a bit.

There is a 1 hour time difference between Paris and London, so our 2 hour train ride was really 3. But we saw lots of countryside, French cows (the breed is Charolais and they are all white... thanks Janet!) and many of us enjoyed a nap. Melanie and I giggled our heads off over the Jimmy Fallon Troll Doll songs, although the others didn't think it was so funny.

There were two sections of track that were all dark... not sure which was the actual tunnel under the channel, but we ended up in London, so no worries! Donna wishes they had big black lines drawn on the landscape so we will know when we entered a new country. Not sure how you do that under the channel, but...

We easily find the Underground station and naviagte to Baron's Court and then it really IS an easy walk to the Ace Hostel. It is in a lovely residential neighborhood with a strip of stores and a bank nearby. The girls were thrilled to be allowed out on thier own and the adults were thrilled to get REAL Diet Coke... no more Coke Light.

The hostel is clean, friendly, and has everything we need. A far cry better from the filthy standing water in our tub at the hostel in Paris, although we are all still spread out. In Paris we had to go down 5 flights and up 2 to see the other room. In London, we have to go down 2 and then up 3.

We gather after a bit of rest to find dinner, but none of us knew the adventure that was in store. There is no where around that can seat all 11 of us. We are walking and walking... finally we find a place and as we are looking over the menus, the waitress approaches us and lets us know they will not searve children after 6pm. I said, but they are all 18?!?!?! Donna says - well only 2 of them are 17. Ugh... I don't even argue with the lady, but if they didn't want our 250 euros, well then, we will move along. We then found a lovely little spot called the Pear Tree... cause there was a pear tree in the back dining area. We waited and waited and waited for the menus to be printed.... literally off an ink jet printer from the office... and then waited and waited some more for someone to take our order. The food was delicious, but the service was turtle slow.

Back to the hostel for laundry and planning out the next day and much needed sleep!