Parlez-vous anglais?

I am finally here! After a very long day of traveling, I am in Lyon...ready to a part of Lyonnais, the Lyon life.

All 4 of my flights were smooth--is that even possible?! I mean, really, no delays, problems and hardly any turbulence. That alone is a miracle.

I cannot, however, say the same for my train experience. First of all, it is very difficult to carry two 50 pound suitcases, a hiking backpack and a computer bag by yourself. Let me just tell you that now. If you're going to back that heavy, make sure you have a friend who packs lightly so they can help you :-)

Once I landed in Geneva, I bought a one-way ticket to Lyon Part Dieu, one of two major train stations in Lyon. The ticket said there were no transfers but little did I know, there were, not one, but two and the second one could be a blog posting in it of itself. The second transfer was so crowded that I barely (and I mean BARELY) made it through the closing doors. I basically threw each bag in and squished between the people that were already standing shoulder to shoulder. I was absolutely exhausted and my arms were feeling very noodly but thankfully, there was an open seat. I took it and dozed off for 2 hours. I'm sure the train ride was beautiful and scenic and something surely not to be missed. Oh well.

Once I got to the train station, I realized that I didn't write down the address to the hotel! In order to take a taxi, I needed to give the driver some kind of address. The train station offered internet but you have to pay hourly or have some kind of membership. Well, when I tried to pay for an hour session, it said the page was temporarily down! For 2 hours, I paced back and forth, around the station, trying to figure out how I could get the address. After many unsuccessful attempts to connect, I FINALLY found a tiny corner of the station that had a different wifi provider. I got the address and off I was to Hotel du Simplon.

I got a taxi who's driver was more concerned about his leather seats than where he was going. I'm sure he took advantage of the fact that I didn't know where I was going or the fastest route there. At that point, though, I didn't care. I just wanted to get to the hotel. We had a mini-French conversation which was quite fun. It wasn't at the level that I needed to be at but it shed a little light on my extreme exhaustion.

Once I got to the hotel, I took a much needed shower and a 2-hour nap. I woke up around 8 pm and took a little night tour by myself. The little part that I saw, along Le Rhone river, was absolutely breathtaking. The photos do no justice. However, after walking around alone, passing the groups of friends and couples romantically gazing off on the light-reflected water, I came to the realization that such beauty is only meant to be shared. Therefore, I cannot wait to meet the people in my program to experience Lyon together. And by posting pictures and blogging, I hope I can bring all of you right there with me!

As you can tell by the pictures, I was fascinated with the lights and how beautifully they reflected off of the water. It truly was breathtaking!

Sometimes, simple, little things make us happy. Whether it's rain hitting the window, coffee or tulips, what's important is that it makes us smile. For me, it was the sound of feet walking on a wooden bridge, along Le Rhone.



This morning when I woke up, I had a petit dejeuner (breakfast) of a baguette, croissants and coffee with foamy milk. I can get used to this :-P

I have to check out in just a couple of minutes. Then I will make my way over to the center to check in and some new people!!!


Wish me luck! Au revoir...