Our first stop on the way to Prague was in France, just over the Spanish border. From here we were suppossed to catch a connecting train to Stausburg, but when we asked for information at the ticket counter, we were told of the train strike currently underway in France. A bit concerned, we boarded a bus for Perpignon from where we were told we could continue on our way east. Waiting for our train to Paris, I realized a slight problem with my backpack. A buckle holding the top portion of the pack had broken, and I was forced to rig a temporary solution using an extra strap we had brought in case of such an emergency. Frustration absolutely consumed me, and for the first time I insisted on cutting our trip short and heading home from Paris. Despite my beautiful wife's patience and support, it was not until I called Neil that I realized how STUPID I was acting. He reminded me of the main reason why Dana and I had left for our trip - WORK SUCKS - and instructed me that we were to return home only under the most dire of circumstances.

Calm, cool, and collected we boarded our overnight train to Paris but missed our connection to Frankfurt. Trying to make the best of an ever worsening situation, we called Philippe and tried to talk him into stopping by the train station for a quick coffee. Unfortunately, Philippe declined our invitation but wished us luck in our quest to get to Frankfurt. Sure enough, by 8pm, some 12 hours behind schedule, we were in Mike and Nicole's living room happy and relieved to be with great friends.