Here is THE PLAN!

Here is an actual BEHIND-THE-SCENES conversation between Road to Paris runners, Maegon, Laura, and Jewelz, and the friends who are meeting them in Paris for a series of wild events and organized debauchery. Let's listen in and hear what they have to say, shall we?!

Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 12:29pm
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Okay - I am setting a plan in motion, here. Because we are all scattered around Paris, I am taking the bull by the horns and setting a meeting place for FRIDAY night. (I know some of you are not going to be there yet, but if you are, here's the deal.)1 - Kari and I are going to rendevous at my hotel directly from the airport on Friday (I bet it will be about 2pm). I think we will be arriving at roughly the same time. 2 - I think that we will make our way to the Marathon Expo to get registered and enjoy the swag bags - and other freebies.3 - I imagine that Kari will need to check in with her friend who is 'hosting' her and her husband. (in the 5th arrondissement)4 - shall we see if we can meet up at my hotel in the PURPLE BAR at, say, 7:00pm? I am anticipating that I am going to be absolutely EXHAUSTED at this point, but I'll need to eat and have a little drinkie!! Then - off to bed. All you folks on EURO time can tuck me into bed and head off for an evening of utter debauchery! (just keep it down, so I can enjoy my sleep.)THOUGHTS?As for saturday? I have to go back to the airport to fetch my husband, and I know that several of you will also be arriving that day. I'm envisioning a rendevouz at some landmark for a mid-afternoon meet-up. THOUGHTS?


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 1:02pm
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FORGOT - one other MUST SEE - Jewelz, Kari, and I have a rendevous with Atalanta on Monday. Can we sqeeze a quick stop at the LOUVRE? I'll bring the golden apples.


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 1:07pm
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OKAY - one more thought, and then I'm done. FREE ADMISSION TO THE LOUVRE on the first sunday of each month - that would be the 5th. Maybe a quick celebratory stop at the Louvre after our baths, rests, ...just a thought.


Joshua Farrier
March 21 at 2:34pm
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1. what is Atalanta?2. I think that I have decided to come, details to follow.3. What are the plans surrounding the marathon? Will you all be in a group at some point along the way to cheer our runners on, wait for them at the end? If it is ok, I would like to cheer you along at the part marked "time keeping 30" on the official marathon map, and then go to mass not far away at the episcopal cathedral (starts at 11am), then meet you all for the postmarathon festivities. What do you runners have as a goal for the marathon?4. Not to be a party pooper, but the Louvre is going to be PACKED on the only day that it is free in the month (it is the same way in Berlin). I dunno.5. Thank you, Laura, for having the foresight to start suggesting things! Very cool. I always remember you being organised. I think the most important thing is that we have several times where we can all casually 'hang out' in a low-key atmosphere to talk and catch up. That might be hard to organise, truth be told. But, I will do whatever I can to help. Feel free to delegate, Laura. Tell me what you need. :)6. Ok, now I'm excited.


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 2:36pm
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LIAR LIAR LIAR - Just chatted with Kari. We're going to set a meeting time on Saturday at 4pm at the SOUTH leg of the Eiffel Tower. That should catch all the saturday stragglers, right?


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 2:41pm
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OK - the liar liar liar was ME - (I said I wasn't going to throw anything else in the mix, but I lied) Josh - so true about the Louvre, so I think we will try that on Monday, if we can manage it. Let the low-key moments be on saturday night, we can meet at Eiffel and then find a place to hang. Some of us will need to save up our energy. It sounds like you have just identified a CHEERING SECTION spot for our followers, cause I don't think any thought has been given to that. We will probably finish in close to 5 hours.Glad you are joining us!!!


Joshua Farrier
March 21 at 3:37pm
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5 hours! Wow!!!! You guys are amazing! I guess we will have time for lunch after mass....BTW, does anyone want to join us for Eucharist on Sunday morning. I know the whole church thing is so not cool for ye movers and shakers, but it is the Episcopal Cathedral and it is bound to be great music (yours truly singing right next to you plus great choir plus great organ) and a great show... Think about it. (This is to the non-runners, of course. :)


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 3:50pm
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Sing loud enough and we may hear you all at the Bois de Boulogne! I don't really know how long it is going to take 37,000 runners to start the marathon, so I can only guess what time we will hit the 30k marker. BUT, as for the evening festivities, I know that Kari and I (and probably Maegon)will be icing, resting immediately after the run. We'll probably be up for an night of crazy celebration after 6 or 7.


Juliette 'Jewelz' Joseph
March 21 at 7:26pm
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Thanks for kick starting this, Laura. I'm in organized chaos mode and haven't figured anything out with the exception of a day trip to London on Friday. I don't even know how to get to my hotel but I have a 7 hr plane ride to figure that out. However, you've helped set the agenda, so I will pencil in:Saturday's rendezvousSunday's big deal 'thinger'. Post marathon celebration details pending. Monday's ode to our beloved goddess. WOOT! Will you have a mobile? I'm taking an unlocked phone with me and will purchase a pre-paid card when I get there. Let me know da deelio. Okie,Jewelz


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 21 at 7:35pm
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as it stands right now, I will probably upgrade my current cell to international capablities. The bad thing is that people call it from Europe will have to pay international calling, I think. THe good thing is that people call from the states will be able to get a hold of me. It is really six in one, half dozen in the other.See you at the south leg!


Maegon Barlow
March 22 at 3:22pm
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Laura and all,I will meet up with you at Purple ,although I may be a little late. I am not planning to check bags in so I am hoping to save some time. Can you send me the address of your hotel again. I think that we are close. Saturday at 4:00 also works for me. That will give me some time in the AM to register and visit my friend Delphine and her new twins :-)As for running for 5 hours ... the way that I look at it is that is one thing to run for 3 hours but it takes a hell of a lot of guts to run for 5 ... and even more to make it for 6 hours!! I am heading out now for my last long run. Yikes ...Josh - so gald you will be joining us!More later ...M


Laura Belluscio Williams
March 22 at 3:28pm
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http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PARDTHI-Hilton-Arc-de-Triomphe-Paris-hotel/index.dothere's the link to my hotel....we'll be there waiting for you.Maegon - good luck on your long run....can't wait to see you there!
Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris hotel
Source: www1.hilton.com


The Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris hotel sits among iconic Paris landmarks, 10 minutes' walk from the Champs-Élysées. Indulge in the mosaic-decorated spa or stroll the Andalusian Patio garden. ...
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Christine Turnberg Volinsky
March 22 at 6:59pm
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Great plan. I'll meet you at Purple and everything after. Is there an Atalanta other than the one from Free to Be...? Josh, let me know if we have a place to stay, and thanks for organizing it!! :) I'll probably join you for church and singing!I think I'm bringing 6 bottles of champagne from a family friend of our exchange student who runs a small cellar in Reims so we must have some casual kick back celebration time!!Christine


Laura Belluscio Williams
Today at 5:46am
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champagne sounds like a great idea! At least one bottle for the finish line, right?