Tuesday, June 5, 2018

2018-05-27 SMDLM-Paris




This morning we take our leave of SMDLM. Caty will drive us to Arles, so we may catch the bus to Avignon, where we will board the TGV Train to Gard Lyon in Paris. 
Ladies on horses
Up for a good breakfast before our long trip, we note that many of the SMDLM restaurants which were closed during the gypsy fete, are now open. We decide on an open-air place located across the large, central field, where the gypsy Walmart used to be. Not trace of it remains, like it was never there. We buy an expensive omelet and ham plate with the required cafĂ© du crem.  Waiting for our plates to arrive, we are asked by a lovely French woman, could she join us at our table, as there was nothing else available.  We proceeded to have a great conversation and a lovely breakfast with Helene. Her English was quite good. She informed us that she had been to the states for a conversational vacation and stayed in “Minnesota” for 2 weeks.

Breakfast always has salad
 Helene was quite well traveled and was spending a few days in SMDLM, which she said was only a couple of hours from her home. We were on the main street, closest to the Mediterranean. A low siren began and soon one of the small police wagons was in front of the establishment, clearing the streets. In the distance, we heard the clomping of horses and 2 -3 riders pass us. Next came the unmistakable sound of a stampede. The locals were herding bulls down the middle of the street. Surrounded by many of the white, ubiquitous horses from the area, the bull was swiftly led thru the streets to the bullfighting ring. Then another group and then another. Wow, we picked the best place possible to have breakfast! Plus, I made a new French friend in Helene.

We said our goodbyes to Caty at the Arles bus station with Harvey almost missing the bus because he forgot his lunch in her car! I love bus travel here. It’s not on the highway. The bus goes thru the luscious countryside. One just sits back and admires the landscape and random castles.
First Class on the TGV
Back to where we began our France adventure, there was an hour wait in Avignon for the TGV. We spoke to the woman who Harvey bought shoes from at the mall here, several weeks ago. We all got a grand laugh out of that. She too, was on her way to Paris.
Pianos in every station, free to play
Aboard the TGV with first class tickets and a split of wine, I had the best nap of the trip and was ready to face the challenges of Gard Lyon and traveling the metro to our hotel.
Gard Lyon- Trains to the rest of EU

The trick of course, was to find the Metro within the very large station and procure tickets. Not as easy as it seems. The tickets must be paid for by card, as you cannot use cash in any of the self-dispensary’s. Our debit card would not work because it requires a signature in the EU. While Harvey stood in the very long line at the ticket counter (remember, French Rail strike), I tried my regular credit card and whoopee, I got tickets.
6 stops on the Metro later, we emerged in front of the Grand Palais next to the Champs Elysee at The 8th Arrondissment.

View from the balcony

2 blocks later we were ensconced in our upgraded suite, complete with small balcony with a view of the Seine and the spires of Notre Dame. Residence du Roy.
Such heaven. We both luxuriated in the large shower and went in search of a bistro table, a bottle of wine and a croque monsieur.


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