CDG

It has been tough to find time or steady wifi over the past few days to do one last post. We're still in Paris, or more specifically, Charles de Gaulle Airport, as our flight home yesterday was overbooked, and we were bumped from our flight. On one hand, they were pretty accommodating with hotels and compensation, however when you have it in your head that you're going home, you just want to be home. 

Alas, today we are really leaving, as we actually have assigned seat numbers on our boarding passes, and we look forward to sleeping in our own bed tonight.  

Our last full day in the Alps was a much sunnier one, which allowed for some outdoor activities. I went on a Via Ferrata climb with Paul, Thomas, Caroline, and her friend. Caroline had promised me that it was risk-free, and I'd be safe at all times, although the original course she showed me wasn't the one we ended up taking, in fact it was much more difficult. I am not a huge fan of heights, and it was not only physically challenging, it was a real mental challenge as well.  

I found myself scaling the sheer side of a mountain with little more than a few clips holding me to the cables that run along the side of the rock face. In really difficult spots, there were footholds or metal bars to help, but then they would just end, and you're forced to make your own footholds in the cliffside. The one motivator that kept me going was the fact that it would be easier to climb up than to try going back down. 

I'm glad I did it, but if I had known what I was getting myself into, I probably would have backed out. 

Ashleigh stayed back at the chalet with Nathalie, and they noticed a helicopter flying in the direction of our climb. She was sure I was getting some sort of an emergency rescue. 

That evening, we had one last family dinner with all of the Poulain and Thouard families. It was quite the feast. Ashleigh even had to pass on dessert because she was so full. 

That night, we watched some fireworks that were happening down in the valley below. It was strange to look down on fireworks, but they were well done and a great way to cap off our last night in France, or so we thought. 

The next day, we had a series of trains to catch, including a near miss at in Valence, but we made it, and had a great stay at a very modern hotel, CitizenM. Everything in the room was smart-controlled from a tablet. Now I want that for our house! 

Monday morning, we went through all of the motions. Baggage check, security, etc., only to find out that our flight was overbooked and we'd be staying an extra night. Ashleigh made it very clear with the Air France staff that she wasn't impressed. It was a hectic day, and neither of us slept very well, but here we are, about to board our flight, and in the grand scope of things, it wasn't such a big deal. 

We had quite the time in France and Italy, and made many memories that will last a lifetime. We can't thank the Poulain and Thouard families enough for the hospitality and generosity. Without them, our trip would likely have been much shorter.

Logging our journey was a lot of fun, and hopefully anyone who followed along enjoyed it as well.

Au revoir!

J & A