Where in the World is Kyla Sandiego? - France

Author: Kyla Sterling, April 2008

Ahhhh, la belle France!

Kyla Sandiego sighed and relaxed more deeply into the comfy cushions of the limo carrying her out of Paris. She had so much to see and do on this trip before deciding what to steal! The time constraints, however, would not be nearly as difficult as dodging the attempts of Moah Gaidin to capture her and bring her to justice!

Paris had been uneventful; filled with lovely sights, but the wily warder had dogged her every step to prevent her from absconding with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, or the Arc de Triomphe.

Now she was off to Normandy, to sample the cheese and the sea air. She would visit the famous beaches as well, but even Kyla Sandiego would not stoop so low as to rob them.

Alas! During a visit to Mont St. Michel, Moah appeared just as Kyla was eying the golden statue of the saint atop the highest spire. Our intrepid villain was forced to flee the scene!

Kyla ran as far south as she could, first to the city of Nice and then to Avignon, once home to a handful of Popes during the 15th century. The palace was lovely, but what really caught her eye was the strange bridge to nowheree. She was juuuust about to stuff it into her bag when Moah appeared out of nowhere and demanded she leave the St. Benezet Bridge in its place. Not willing to face a Gaidin in single combat, Kyla fled again.

After a brief stop in Aix en Provence, a beautiful town filled with fountains and fantastic architecture. She decided against swiping the fountain reputed to have healing properties, however, since she didn't want to ruin her purse.

Off to the Loire River Valley she went! She toured several lovely chateaux, including Chenonceau and Blois before finally visiting Chambord, a fantastic castle with a double-helix staircase said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The staircase was built so that when the king entertained, two sets of guests (and horses!) could be taken upstairs at once and never get in each other's way.

Looking around carefully, Kyla Sandiego stuffed the staircase into her bag and took off at a run. As her plane lifted off the runway, Moah Gaidin ran out onto the airstrip shaking his fist. She blew him a kiss and never looked back.