[mjohnson]

Our first trip to real Europe was with a 20-mo old girl (yes, poor life choices there).

With a little planning/coaching on "local" languages, Munich was easy (of course), Paris was doable but Mrs J had a conference in Tours where they were having none of that "Englais" crap. We were game for that and did OK until a few things got tight and do you know who's happy as a clam to talk english? The dude in the kebab shop. That guy hooked us up so well and he was thrilled to help us out.

One funny story of perception vs. reality in Europe was that a massive windstorm brought down trees and killed the HS rail from Munich to Paris. Panic ensued - Mrs J was on official travel and didn't care what the $$ impact was, kiddo and I were on "travelbitz.com" cheap tix and were nearly screwed. Our hotel desk guy knew a guy who knew a guy to get us tix by air to Paris. Wires got crossed and my name really didn't match my passport - and on a mainline (KLM?) carrier too. I panicked and at the check-in the nice lady said "don't worry, this isn't the USA - enjoy your flight).

And the Air France/Sky Club lounge at CDG is quite OK...