The last time I flew American Airlines it was Air GRUMPY. This time, our trip was perfect: the flight attendants were all nice and professional. We arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris on time and we were happy campers. We made a short walk to the train station and found our place to wait for the train. It is a beautiful station with everything one needs. I grabbed a salami, butter and French bread sandwich at the station for fear that the train might not have a dining car. In fact, it did have a sandich shop with wine and beer.

Very beautiful ride through the Champagne region to Rheims where we began to see workers picking grapes in the fields. We arrived in Strasbourg on time and made it to the beautiful Regent Petite France Hotel. Petite France is the old part of the City. It is surrounded by canals surrounded by restaurants; ah, I am in heaven. Our first adult beverage was enjoyed overlooking a lock at our hotel. The girls had a local champagne and I had a Riesling. I know Curtis is laughing now because I never drink Riesling - but when in Rome ... It was a crisp, dry, full- flavored wine. Dad had a local beer and smiled alot.

Our first meal was Christmas in October (our family tradition on Christmas Eve is German sausages and hot potato salad). For this event, we enjoyed open-air dining on the canals at the Burestuber.

The first course winner was a goat cheese foam with pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes - served in a stemless Riedel glass. I also ate salmon tartar, which tasted much like salmon cerveche: the lemon juice overpowered the salmon.

The dinner winner was Charcute. Charles would be thrilled. Fresh, wonderful sauerkraut with lard and lingonberries covered with Pork, wienerschnitzle, half-inch slices of pork belly, lovingly surrounded by bratwursts with a boiled liver dumpling. We washed it down with a local Riesling that I think is equivalent to a grand cru in bordeaux.

Walking the cobblestones along the industrial canals is calming. At every green patch, park, and corner, people are laying on the grass in each others' arms. Young, old, big and small - people are in love. The outward expression of emotion is contagious. I will be hunting for a greeen spot tomorrow...

We will take a river cruise and tour the Cathedral in the morning. And then dinner: German I would bet. Thanks and hello to all....