pause. breath. relax.

I'm at the Holiday Inn CDG, which is roughly ten minutes from the airport by shuttle.  We all left our other hotel at 7:00 am, and the rest of the group should be about halfway home by now.  After good-byes, I lugged my bags all over Terminal 2, making my way to the SNCF train station to catch the shuttle.  By the time I got to the hotel, I was exhausted.  The nice man at the front desk let me check in four hours early (and I did it all in French!!), so I took a shower and immediately crashed on my big comfy queen bed.  I woke up four hours later, just in time to skype with Mom and Dad.

I was really tempted to just stay in all afternoon, but I didn't have any food and the hotel restaurant is super expensive.  So I went for a little walk, and with the help of the map I found in the lobby, I found a little grocery store and bought a snack, dinner, and breakfast for 11 euro (we regularly spent 15 for a dinner in Paris).  Now I'm set!  I'm back on this wonderful bed in my pajamas, eating chocolate and watching Avatar in French on the flat screen TV. 

Last weekend, I made the trek to Lyon to visit Noellie and her family.  It was SO good to see them again!  I didn't take many pictures (yeah, yeah - I know!), and I realized it was because I'm intensely protective of those memories.  I don't want to share them!  That little house in the foothills of the alps is one of my favorite places in the world - it's too wonderful to be put into words.  If you want to see it, I guess you'll just have to come with me next time I go!  Here's the train station photo, though:

My last few days in Paris were pretty laid-back.  I did some last last-minute shopping with Kristina on Monday, took Flat Stanley to the Eiffel Tower for my first-graders yesterday, and finished packing in the early hours of the morning.  I think I'll repack again tonight before I go to bed.

I have an early morning ahead of me - my plane leaves at 8:00 am.  I'm planning to get up at 5:30, brush my teeth, throw some clothes on, and catch the 6:00 shuttle.  Anything later than that would be cutting it too close.

Paris has been FABULOUS, but I'm ready for a change.  I'm looking forward to another new experience in Ethiopia!  I don't quite have all of my photos up yet (and I might not until I get home), but you will eventually be able to find them HERE and HERE.  Also, since I'm leaving Paris, I won't be posting here anymore.  Follow our group blog for Ethiopia at http://tlcethiopia.wordpress.com/.

Thank you all for your prayers, support, and shared excitement!

Lots of love,
Ellen