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France, Belgium, Ireland 2018

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Day 23
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 8:52 AM
☁️ 13 °C
Altitude: 36 ft
United States North Park Blocks 45.525895, -122.68228245°31’33” N 122°40’56” W
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Home/Random Photos
May 19, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
I didn't loose anything, break anything or get sick, so lucky!
With the exception of the French rail strike, having to change only one segment, all of my transportation went without a hitch. I LOVED Bordeaux and Dublin, could easily live in either city. A lovely trip to celebrate my 60th birthday.Read more
Traveler Proper command
5/23/18Reply
Traveler Cat lover guy
5/23/18Reply
Traveler A true quote
5/23/18Reply
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Day 22
Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:16 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 98 ft
Ireland Temple Bar 53.34384, -6.27025753°20’38” N 6°16’13” W
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Dublin 3.0
May 18, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Traveler Wide rivers thru a city, are quite a sight.
5/23/18Reply
Traveler Proof you were there.
5/23/18Reply
Traveler Fancy meat shop.
5/23/18Reply
Traveler Helpful
5/23/18Reply
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Day 22
Friday, May 18, 2018 at 11:54 AM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 79 ft
Ireland Dublin Castle 53.344938, -6.26747353°20’42” N 6°16’3” W
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Dublin 2.0
May 18, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Irish beer, that I tried:

O'Hara's craft lager
O'Hara's ale
Hophouse 13 lager
Smithwicks
G
Yankee White IPA
Kilkenney lager
(and at least two that I have forgotten the names of)
Quote for the self-guided pub crawl day: "slow and steady wins the race".

Ireland, like Belgium, has got to be tricky for bartenders/dishwashers. The breweries have a special glass for many of their beers, therefore, lot's of washing, drying and putting back in place. On a busy night at the bar, that must be challenging.Read more
Traveler The sign in the back ground is killin me..."fresh handmade cosmetics"!
5/22/18Reply
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Day 21
Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 11:39 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 85 ft
Ireland Christ Church Cathedral 53.343625, -6.27063153°20’37” N 6°16’14” W
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Random Dublin
May 17, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Traveler Incredible
5/18/18Reply
Traveler Wank on the tank. Chubb on the hubb. 😂😂
5/18/18Reply
Traveler Very cool indeed
5/18/18Reply
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Day 20
Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 1:21 AM
⛅ 6 °C
Altitude: 85 ft
Ireland Christ Church Cathedral 53.343586, -6.2703353°20’37” N 6°16’13” W
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Guinness!
May 16, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
This might come as a shock but I really don't think I have even had a Guinness before, a Black and Tan, yes, but not a straight pint of the G. I visited the brewery today and I was completely blown away. Magnificent, educational, they did a fabulous job with all of it. Heaps of staff to help you through the beer journey. I even got emotional as I was watching vintage footage of a "cooper" (now I know what that is) making a barrel by hand, yes, you heard me right, emotional! Then came the taste test and learned how to drink this stuff! You first inhale and hold your breath, take a gulp of beer, hold it in your mouth a few seconds, then swallow it while you exhale. This allows you to taste the flavors in all of the different areas in your mouth, and it really worked! Then on to the finale, on the 7th floor, you were given your reward after the tour with a pint of the black stuff at the Gravity Bar, with a 360 degree view of the city. It was happening in the there!

I then went from drinking, to church. St. Patrick's Cathedral (1192!) was having an Evensong, the members of the church chorus sing the mass, if you will. Got emotional there too, natch. Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels, 1726!) was dean there for 32 years and is buried there also. On his grave in the nave, his self-penned epitaph reads "He lies where furious indignation can no longer rend his heart". Heavy.Read more
Traveler Wicked vat!
5/18/18Reply
Traveler 😂😂😂 luv it!!!
5/18/18Reply
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Day 19
Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 5:38 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 85 ft
Ireland Temple Bar 53.343728, -6.27027253°20’37” N 6°16’13” W
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Dublin
May 15, 2018 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
First full day in Dublin and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. So many green spaces, great city planning. Streets and parks are clean and tidy, people friendly. Not gonna lie, I don't hate it that this is an English speaking country, I don't have to try and fake the language like in Belgium or France. Visited Trinity College ( two Oregon maples are prominently planted on campus, seeds were obtained in 1827! ), alumni include Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker), Book of Kells, Temple Bar District, St. Stephens Green, Merrion Square where Oscar Wilde's monument is, surrounded by a large concentration of Georgian style houses.Read more
Traveler and tulips
5/18/18Reply
Traveler You just don’t see Licic trees that full here, awesome.
5/18/18Reply
Traveler And perfectly posed on that boulder.
5/18/18Reply
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Day 17
Sunday, May 13, 2018 at 8:14 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 75 ft
Belgium Manneken Pis 50.845788, 4.3502150°50’45” N 4°21’1” E
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Brussels
May 13, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Just scratched the surface but glad that I visited Brussels. Hotel La Legend was perfect, location stupid close to the train station and the Grand Place a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Took a walking tour and would have never found the bar that was tucked away down an alley. It boasts a Guinness book record for most varieties of beer sold in a week, 2000 of them. They have since reduced that to 100, such restraint. Tried my first Belgian chocolate, Galler, a local confectioner that does not export, yum. I found the city to be easier to navigate than Bruges, I could not pull it together there, even with my handy dandy compass. Final word on Belgium, they like to celebrate!Read more
Traveler All that color with gothic building.
5/15/18Reply
Traveler Brilliant!
5/15/18Reply
Traveler Pride
5/15/18Reply
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Day 16
Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 4:22 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 75 ft
Belgium Manneken Pis 50.845808, 4.35021550°50’45” N 4°21’1” E
On the way into Brussels, this happened
May 12, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Yet another parade when I enter a new city! This is starting to be a thing. Found out its called the Zinneke Parade and it went down the street where I am staying and continued to the Grand Place, where the floats and peeps hung out to continue the reveling. The parade theme was ILLEGAL. A cultural event that uses residents along with artists that work together to build bridges between all cultures. A very enthusiastic group!Read more
TravelerLooks like fun to me!!
5/14/18Reply
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Day 14
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 11:42 PM
🌙 8 °C
Altitude: 52 ft
Belgium Het Brugse Ommeland 51.210072, 3.22601351°12’36” N 3°13’34” E
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Bruges
May 10, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
I do believe that Bruges IS "the cutest city in Europe".
Just adorable with lots and lots of sights to see in a relatively small area, all walk-able. Of course I had to go to 't Zwart Huis (The Black House), where they filmed
the bar scene in 'In Bruges' and I might have sat at or very near the location.
I wanted to take a photo but this just wasn't that type of place and I didn't want to be rude. It was a COOL, hip vibe. Took the brewery tour at De Halve Maan ending with a lovely pint of my fav Brugse Zot. The guide mentioned that we would be drinking the unfiltered, fresh as fresh can be version since we were drinking it on-site. It was extra tasty and I could tell it was more flavorful than at the bars.Read more
Traveler That’s a match
5/12/18Reply
Traveler How is it possible for these homes to be on top of water?
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Ridiculously charming
5/12/18Reply
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Day 14
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 11:17 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 52 ft
Belgium Het Brugse Ommeland 51.210063, 3.22601651°12’36” N 3°13’34” E
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The Procession of the Holy Blood
May 10, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
So I just happened to arrive to Bruges on Asencion Day. Bleachers in Markt Square and a bazillion peeps. I couldn't cross the street to find my hotel so I surrendered and looked upon this minor inconvenience as a bonus. Floats, animals, 1700 locals, body tan makeup, wigs, even proper period footwear! Pretty impressive.Read more
TravelerVery colorful. Is ascension day joyous?
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Great photo, especially like the woman with fish hat.
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Jailbirds
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Day 14
Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 5:58 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 52 ft
Belgium Het Brugse Ommeland 51.210119, 3.22599851°12’36” N 3°13’34” E
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In Bruges, literally
May 10, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
This morning, I took the RER C train from Versailles to St. Michel.
Transferred to RER B train to Paris Nord.
Took the Thaylis High Speed train to Brussels.
Connected to the Intercity train to Bruges.
City bus into town and Voila, here!
Nobody said independent travel is easy!
Actually, it all went super smoothly.
When I got on the train to Bruges, the woman across the aisle leaned over and said "This is 1st Class". I acknowledged that I was aware of that.
Yes, I did look a little travel weary but lordy, attitude from this Euro
Louis Vuitton wanna-be was uncalled for!

Travel tip to live by: read and follow the very clearly posted signage
in stations first, then if you're still unsure, don't hesitate to ask anyone who will listen:)Read more
Traveler Easy peezy, just pick one, and hop on.
5/10/18Reply
Traveler Such a great idea.
5/10/18Reply
Traveler We need to replenish the YETI so a trip to BevMo is on for Saturday. I wonder if they’ll have it🤔?
5/12/18Reply
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Day 13
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 9:39 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 469 ft
France Versailles 48.804809, 2.12493648°48’17” N 2°7’30” E
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Versailles
May 9, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Hall of Mirrors, just as promised, magnifique! Would have loved to rent one of the golf carts for an hour or two and push through the mega acres of gardens but, I couldn't be bothered. They had a tram too, but again, I was on a mission outside of the castle too. Grabbed some lunch at an outdoor food spot called Bosquet du Dauphin. Scored a table and chair even, in the shade. Then the crowds came and it was chockers. Timing is everything. Eight long, hot hours were spent there, on Day 1. Yes, I was a glutton for punishment and bought a two day passport for entry, thinking that I wouldn't be able to do it all in one, I was right! What I didn't cover the first day, I went back and got it the next. Simply popped the blister that I had grown day one, wrapped it up in a band-aid and went back for more. Brutal but worth it.Read more
Traveler Most adorbs!
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Holy Grail of Gorgeous! 💎🔥
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Chonch, the French sure know hedges. Impressive, for realz!
5/12/18Reply
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Day 12
Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 6:48 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 240 ft
France Masse 47.413326, 0.98440747°24’48” N 0°59’4” E
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Random Stuff 2.0
May 8, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Traveler She thinks yur paparazzi😂
5/12/18Reply
Traveler That's tits!!!
5/12/18Reply
Traveler 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 totes alfrez.
5/12/18Reply
Traveler Stunner fo sho.
5/12/18Reply
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Day 10
Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 8:44 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 190 ft
France Masse 47.411109, 0.98258347°24’40” N 0°58’57” E
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Chateau, Chateau, Chateau!
May 6, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
I LOVED the Royal Chateau Amboise, A+. What I loved was that it was charming, spectacular chapel (they say that Leonardo da Vinci's bones are buried in the chapel but I guess there is some question about that) gardens, view of the city and river below, use of stone, curl·i·cue spires and chirping birds.Read more
Traveler And comfortably sleeps...
5/8/18Reply
Traveler Serene
5/8/18Reply
Traveler Lordy, i could do some gnoshin in France!
5/18/18Reply
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Day 9
Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 7:35 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 52 ft
France Bacalan 44.862254, -0.54990544°51’44” N 0°32’60” W
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La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
May 5, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Back to Bordeaux to dock for the end of the fabulous cruise. Free day in the city so I decided to hit as many sights that I missed earlier. Love, love, loved Cite du Vin (thanks Robin!). It is super high tech with all kinds of hands on exhibits, ALL ABOUT WINE. It is said that to do the entire museum takes 9 hours. I was limited for time, and was able to cover two of the eight floors. Well done and super sleek.Read more
Traveler Best looking ham sandwich I've ever seen! :)
5/7/18Reply
Traveler Sounds familiar Inga! Looks like good weather too. Janet
5/7/18Reply
Traveler My thoughts exactly Janet! Maybe I should look into investing:)
5/8/18Reply
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Day 8
Friday, May 4, 2018
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 36 ft
France Port du Nouguey 44.912998, -0.24398544°54’47” N 0°14’38” W
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Libourne, France
May 4, 2018 in France ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Libourne, an adorable little town founded in 1270. It was market day so that is always a plus with the bustle of locals. A lovely gothic cathedral, St. Jean Baptist, the Musee des Beaux-Arts which is free to the public in the Hotel De Ville. All of this time, I thought that the hotel de ville was a real hotel and seeing this name over and over again was confusing. THEN I found out that hotel de ville translates to Town Hall, derp.Read more
Traveler How was the 2013 Miguel Torres from Spain??
5/5/18Reply
Traveler 👍
5/5/18Reply
Traveler Love the chart
5/6/18Reply
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Day 7
Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 6:06 PM
⛅ 15 °C
Altitude: 253 ft
France Saint-Émilion 44.894387, -0.15572944°53’40” N 0°9’21” W
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Saint Emilion
May 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Beautiful, quaint town with the upper and lower sections. Upper was originally for the wealthy, but now they both are. Heaps of cafes and wine shops. Driving from Blaye to Saint Emilion was a pure visual delight of green rolling hills and grape vines.Read more
Traveler Thoughtful banister
5/4/18Reply
Traveler Tasting history
5/4/18Reply
Traveler Charming courtyard
5/4/18Reply
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Day 6
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 2:59 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 72 ft
France Cognac 45.688943, -0.33012845°41’20” N 0°19’48” W
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Remy Martin, Cognac
May 2, 2018 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Spent the afternoon in Cognac to visit the Remy Martin Maison. The city has a young, hip and chic feeling. Although I didn't think that I was a fan of Cognac, I went to learn and taste for myself. Visited the perfectly kept grounds, cellars and distillery. There were three tastings all paired with a lovely little bites of goat cheese, duck pate and chocolate cake.Read more
Traveler Shades of amber, stunning.
5/4/18Reply
Traveler Hedges the size of a house.
5/4/18Reply
Traveler Hollandaise sauce
5/4/18Reply
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Day 5
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 11:29 PM
🌙 6 °C
Altitude: 180 ft
France Techeney 44.856263, -0.48869944°51’23” N 0°29’19” W
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Sauternes, Bordeaux
May 1, 2018 in France ⋅ 🌙 6 °C
Spent an afternoon with the owner proprietor of Chateau de Myrat, what a treat.
Traveler Glluv this one!!!
5/12/18Reply
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Day 4
Monday, April 30, 2018 at 7:11 AM
🌧 9 °C
Altitude: 62 ft
France Bordeaux 44.837789, -0.5791844°50’16” N 0°34’45” W
Slipper Time
April 30, 2018 in France ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
This is the slipper portion of the trip, the one-off extravagant portion. Boarded the River Royale and today is the first day of wine tasting on the Dordogne and Gironde rivers. Today's winery visit was Chateau La Tour, beautiful grounds dating back to the Middle Ages. You can spend the night there for 300€ per night, book both of the bedrooms with friends and you get the entire chateau to yourself! Back to the ship, it's nice not having to think about your next move really. Biggest decisions of the day are what excursion to do and what to order for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Speaking of breakfast, the first one was lovely. They have an enormous menu and a few specials that changes daily. I couldn't understand the waiter (many are Eastern European), and after asking twice what it was, I decided not to ask a third time, entirely too excessive. Turns out it was crepes with cherry sauce and whipped creme. Decided on Eggs Benedict (soon to be my go to), french toast, roasted tomatoes, bacon, coffee. Going to love breakie. Gotten pretty good at my mercis, s'il vous plaîts and bonjours, but not much else. When I do use French on board, they always respond in English. Probably something that they are supposed to do. So happy that I decided to come in 2 nights early into Bordeaux. Just about jet lag free. Had a solid night sleep. Keeping to myself, for now. We'll see if I get chatty or not.
GAHR-ron = Garonne, river
CAD-ee-ak = Cadillac, city
DOOR-don = Dordogne, river
Bly = Blaye, cityRead more
TravelerSomething about cruising a river, and wine tasting that really goes together. Great photos, green and lush.
5/1/18Reply
TravelerPhotos are great. Love looking at old, old ruins and buildings. And wine tasting to boot!
5/2/18Reply
TravelerSounds wonderful!
5/3/18Reply
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Day 3
Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 10:33 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 85 ft
France Bordeaux 44.839018, -0.57779844°50’20” N 0°34’40” W
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Random stuff
April 29, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
TravelerHoly schnikies!!! What a trip😋
4/29/18Reply
TravelerToo cute 😺
5/3/18Reply
Traveler Thanks, girl. Iv always pondered
5/12/18Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 7:26 AM
🌧 8 °C
Altitude: 171 ft
France Pessac 44.799372, -0.64791544°47’58” N 0°38’52” W
Le Corbusier in Pessac
April 28, 2018 in France ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
So this cool architect (think Le Corbusier chaise lounge) decides to design and build a city. He took into account social and economic factors, and was determined to build the plan to provide people with low-cost, predetermined, homogeneous cubist structures. This began in 1920, a man thinking well ahead of his time with Henry Fruges, the philanthropist behind it.Read more
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Day 2
Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 2:09 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 194 ft
France Place Vendôme 48.8667, 2.333348°52’0” N 2°19’60” E
Bordeaux!
April 28, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
LOVE this city! Had a jet lag adjustment, forgot my camera the first afternoon in, but I think I got this. Yesterday when I was buying a tram ticket at the kiosk, I finally felt like I had found my feet.Read more
TravelerThe new wine museum is a “must see”
4/30/18Reply
TravelerOn the agenda, thanks for the rec!
4/30/18Reply
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Day 1
Friday, April 27, 2018 at 8:47 AM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 85 ft
Belgium Grand Place 50.850346, 4.35172150°51’1” N 4°21’6” E
Plane change in Brussels
April 27, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Loved Brussels airport, super easy to navigate. This was taken early am, before the day had begun for many.
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Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 105 ft
United States Schuetzen Park (historical)38.916281, -77.02136938°54’59” N 77°1’17” W
Clubbin
April 26, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Got a good start on the first leg of the trip. It was the UA gate agents last day. She got a gig with Air Force freakin One and was starting there the next week. Now that is exciting.
TravelerInga, I think I'm on board with Penguins. Is this you??? Janet here.
4/29/18Reply
TravelerYes! Thanks for following:)
4/30/18Reply
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Trip start
April 27, 2018