Baltic Cruise 2013: Almost..........

Well I am sitting in Atlanta airport waiting to board our last leg of the trip. One hour plus from Atlanta to Wilmington, but it looks like it will be delayed, so it is a good time to write the last entry.

Our last day in Paris was very nice. We decided to take the second day on the Open Tour double decker hop on hop off sightseeing bus. We got started on another very nice mild day about 10AM. We spent some time at the Eiffel Tower, than at the main square with the Egyptian obelisk. We then walked through the Tuileries gardens over to the Louvre stop. We then road around some more ending up at the Musee de Orsay that was recommended by a fellow traveler on the Ferry over from Dover. Lyle took the bus back to the Marriott but the three of us spent about two hours looking at some very nice paintings by well-known artists, Monet, Rembrandt, Cézanne, and Picasso to name a few.

When we got back we decided to work on the rum so as not to have to take it home partially full. We were successful pouring the last into the souvenir Russian flask. Dinner was a result of some wandering around and we ended up at a small Italian restaurant owned by a young man from Florence. I had meatballs and penne which were very good.

Before getting back to the room for packing, I found an ATM and got the euros for the morning taxi 60.

The alarm and the wakeup calls started at 4:30 AM and we out an in a taxi by 5:20 AM. Looking at my watch that was now 18 hours ago. We had a little problem finding the right lines to wait in and then got to wait for a very long time for the security process, although it is less extensive that US you can leave your shoes and belt on. (Just got the announcement that our aircraft to Wilmington has called maintenance for low oil pressure…….not a good sign)

Sun was up and bright when we boarded a Boeing 637 Jet painted Delta although we had been advised that we had to check in with Air France. Nine hours, three movies, two meals and some sleep we looked out and saw green fields around Hartsfield airport.

Passport control and customs went well, but I had bought a bottle of Captain Morgan to replace the Bacardi Oak heart we finished in the room the night before, and I had to get a fourth bagged checked so it could come with us. We had been able to check 4 bags going but in France they only gave us three. You get one free for international, and I have the Delta Gold American Express card which gives a free bag on every flight for the annual fee.

So we are here in Atlanta, Charlotte has her Kindle Fire back plugged in and I plugged my computer in after detaching the converter adapter plugs we needed in Paris and of course a different one for the cruise….so we are back on USA AC.

Charlotte just talked to Monique who is still struggling with her stomach and leg. Grace has been tremendous in helping out while we were gone and it looks like Charlotte will be leaving very shortly for a caretaking stint in Nashville. I cannot go as I have commitments to the town and to our business, and to a couple of board meetings for the next couple of weeks. Because of the greater needs in Nashville we have decided that we will not go to Arizona for the cousins reunion scheduled for Flagstaff the second week of October. I was really looking forward to that, but I am sure Russ will do an excellent job sharing the new letters, cards, and insights that have been developed on the Greens since out last review a couple of years back. Also I expect to see Glenn Rex and he and David are making a trip next week to look for a vacation home on the Carolina coast and will be staying with us (now me)

So it is time to wrap up the fabulous Baltic Cruise with a couple of thoughts that I came up with. First though it was really special to share our third trip with Lyle and Marlene and to share their 47th anniversary and Lyle’s birthday in St. Petersburg. I guess the world leaders are there soon too for G 20.

Speaking of the world leaders. After this trip I rank world history leaders this way. Charlemagne, Peter the Great, Napoleon, and Winston Churchill….I have omitted the religious perspective which is probably even more significant at least if you look at the headlines today.

I have also theorized that world history is like a game of rock, paper scissors. The rock is the buildup of economic systems, paper is the laws and to govern, and scissors is the war and destruction. So history is a reordering of each of these elements with each one being displaced and dominated by another. Success as a world power requires balancing all three elements, sound economics, fair and even laws for the people, and the ability to conquer and protect with superior weapons.

Anyway I have enjoyed putting some personal perspective on all those western civilization history stories I have read and learned along my life’s journey. I do hope that Charlotte and I can continue to build on this pleasurable exercise, but if not, it has been a real nice experience. I hope that those who came along in the blog had some fun too.

Good Bye from the Baltic Cruise 2012 but here are some last images….