Mora We checked out of our Hotel, hopped the metro a ½ block a way, took it 4 stops to the train station. Luckily, we scoped out the route on our way to Bruges and knew where all the elevators and escalators were located. At the train station, we stopped for a coffee and croissant and people-watched until our train came up on the schedule board. Once at our platform/gate, they displayed a sign that said DO NOT BOARD!  We watched and as soon as it changed to welcome us aboard, we hopped on board to stow our suitcases in the luggage area before it got too full. The conductor yelled at us to get off the train, then he looked down the track and saw the sign, shrugged his shoulders, and let us on- despite the fact the crew was still cleaning.
The THALYS was just like the TGV, comfortable, and at points exceeding 290 km/h. Naturally it slowed down through cities and towns, but the overall speed average was 186km/h.  On the train we tried to match up photos with the text of the journal. As we were working through them, we realized we didn’t have all the photos on the pc and Mike said he’d make sure to check out the rest.
http://ndapak.com/russeifa-grain-silos-jordan/ We arrived at Gare du Nord in Paris a few minutes late, but the most delaying factor in getting to our hotel, Hotel Mansart on rue des Capucines, was standing in line to get metro passes. We were in line for 25 minutes – at least. We even got behind a tour guide buying over 1000 euros worth of passes. The agent was a vey cute young lady with long blond hair, spoke English, and actually thought she was working tourist information – she spent so much time with each customer, discussing what they could see, what she would recommend, how to ride the Metro, etc. Finally, our transaction for tickets is complete and off we go to meet Glenn and Kimberly at the hotel. We metro from Gare du Nord to Opera, climb the steps at Opera and off we go down rue del Paix toward the place de Vendomme and our hotel. Glenn was hanging out the window when we arrived, calling to us – sort of like an old French movie.
We checked into the hotel (room 306) and dropped our bags. By now lunch was way delayed, so we went out the front door to the right and found a great little spot in the next block. Green bean salad, roasted chicken and mashed potatoes with cheese and butter, beef Bourgogne – and a bottle of wine.
We headed over to the Petit Palais to check out the permanent collection, then to the Grand Palais to see the new exposition. But the new exposition required advance reservations and folks were in a weaving queque throughout the plaza. We abandoned the Grand Palais plan and walked over to Blvd Haussman to go through Jacquemart Andre and see their new exposition of a collection of Belgian and Dutch painters. We squeaked out just before closing time and headed back to the hotel, stopping by Sotheby’s to check out what would be auctioned off the following weekend. At the hotel we took a few minutes to get ready for dinnerat La Cordennerie with Hugo. On the way to La Cordonnerie, the skies opened up and luckily we all had umbrellas. When we arrived Hugo had a cancellation and we were able to sit in the kitchen after all. I had daurade (sea bream), Mike had swordfish, Glenn had deer stew, and Kimberly had veal. Dessert was a fabulous chestnut cake and, of course, the chocolate fondant. This was Glenn and Kimberly’s arrival day in Paris and we were anxious to get them back to hotel for some sleep – they made it through to almost 11PM.
