In Spain and Catching Another Cold...

Well, here I am in beautiful, warm, sunny Spain - Barcelona to be exact. And, I have met my love's family who have been welcoming, loving, and very wonderful in every sense. I feel like I've known them my whole life even though we have just met.

Unfortunately, I picked up another cold in Paris or the one I had decided it wanted to come back for another visit. The only consolation I have is my love's entire family have colds too. So, instead of enjoying this vacation, I'm spending most of my time in bed, and, not in a good way. We went to the beach, a bit cool to swim but, I'm trying to sweat the cold out. It's not working. Someone once told me that it isn't true love unless you get sick. That statement never made sense to me, it still doesn't, but, if going through another cold means this one is going to stick around, then bring it on!

Well, I am gathering my stuff head, runny nosed self together, since it's time to go out to dinner. Yes, I realize it's 10pm in Spain but that's just the point, I AM IN SPAIN! This is a very normal time to go out to dinner.

One thing for sure, the Europeans live much better than we do in America. They are not lazy, get as much done during the day as we do, but, yet they still know how to make time for love, family, and, recreation. I could live here easily... Yes, really

The Romance of Paris Can Bring About Unexpected Delights

If you ever doubted that Paris is among the most romantic cities in the world, if not THE most romantic city in the world, I would like to put your doubts aside. Oh yes, I know I've been missing in action for the past couple of days, however, I am very happy to report it is not due to a relapse of either of our cold; rather, the joy of the passion we've been expressing with each other.

Now, I don't want to imply we haven't left the hotel, we have indeed, but, we finally found our rhythm in the most intimate of ways, and, it has been fantastic. And the most unexpected twist of fate presented itself these past few days. I don't know how or why, but, I'm kind of engaged to be engaged. My love has vowed to me we WILL be returning to Paris within a year's time, and, we will become engaged at that time.

Truthfully, I'm a bit nervous. I've been down this engagement path before and it ended in disaster, but, I am throwing caution to the wind, and, just allowing things to proceed in it's most natural of courses. If we are meant to be together, if this one is truly "the one" then fate will take our hands and show us the way. If this is merely another heartbreak waiting to happen, then I will enjoy every moment I can until that time to say good-bye crosses our path.

I'm also feeling a bit more pressured now, since Monday we fly to Spain, and, I will be meeting his family for the first time. I'm trying to keep my composure to present the best possible me and not some blathering, self-centered, stereo-typical American.

More later...

The Chunnel of Love

For those who have never taken the Chunnel via the Eurostar, it is a vastly worthwhile experience. No hassles that one would normally encounter at the airport, it's all very - civilized. Feeling much better from our recent bout with bad colds, my love and I boarded the 10:25 am Eurostar to Paris. It was - well - romantic really.

It gave us a chance to really talk, and, really explore our feelings for each other since our respective colds really had us beaten as our trip began earlier this past week. It turns out we have more in common than we first realized, and, I dare to say that this is going to be a lasting relationship. We share the same ideas and ideals and our hopes and dreams for the future are identical. The trip on the Eurostar went by all too fast. Before we knew it, we were in Paris.

We then proceeded to our hotel on the Left Bank, in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres, the Hotel Montalebert. It's a small hotel with tons of charm and Parisian romance.

I must cut this short, we are going on a River Cruise for dinner. More to come tomorrow!

Vacation Plans for England, France and Spain

I am now trying to fight off a full blown cold with a slight fever of 99.9, and, I drug myself into work and, I am sitting here wondering why. I feel horrible, but, you do you know what my sweet new gentleman friend did? When I got home yesterday, I found that he had sent me flowers and, we talked for more than two hours.

We discussed everything we are going to see and do over the next two weeks, including visiting the Eiffel Tower, and, he is even accompanying me on shopping trips on Champs Elysees in Paris and Las Ramblas when we get to Barcelona.

As I already mentioned in an earlier post, we are meeting in London first. We're going to do some of the silly tourist things like the changing of the guard, the tower of London, and the London Eye. We are also making our way to West End, he already bought us tickets for the King and I and also for La Cage Aux Folles. And, we're staying at very nice hotel in the Mayfair section of London. What a way to start a vacation!

We then catch the Eurostar through the Chunnel and magically end up in Paris. Does it get any more romantic than Paris? The city of lights? We are staying on the West Bank, and, in addition to the Eiffel Tower and shopping, we are planning on taking a river cruise on the Seine which includes dinner.

Onward to Spain, home of my new love, and, yes I'm falling for him already, he is hard to resist, and, I am hoping he isn't too good to be true. And, if this is a dream or I'm hallucinating from the cold medicine I am taking, please let me enjoy it just a little longer...