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.
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| 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 café 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.
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| Breakfast always has salad |
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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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