Tomorrow I lug my suitcase through the streets of Aix to the train station and depart on a 4 hour trip with two train changes in Marsailles and Nimes to arrive in Lyon around 4 pm and check in to my Booking.com flat near the station. I really enjoyed my time in Aix. It certainly is an upscale, cultural, beautiful village of around 100,000 with lots of history. A big plus was meeting a new friend , seasonal resident (permenant soon) from Vermont area and a well traveled. I'm sure I will see Diane again in the future. So far I've been fortunate to meet 3 persons on this trip that I hope to connect with again.
Lyon has some Murals I hope to see, great old city well known in France for its food and Chefs. I set my Screamin Meanie and was up just before it went off. At the station around 10:15 with no problems and the suitcase wheeled along easily. Some fashion Models with the desinger and his wife had arrived with a photographer to document it. She said don't panic if you see me taking photos. It is just for them.
Time to go through the turnstyle and get on the platform but my Ticket barcode was not accepted and after about 5 minutes and 5 trys I am in panic mode. There is NO Train personnel. I go to the concession stand and the young man took me over to the HELP machine. Press the button and someone speaks french and I started babbling I CAN NOT GET THROUGH THE GATE, HAVE TICKET AND THE TRAIN IS BOARDING. All of a sudden the gate opened and I ran to the stairs trying to carry my suitcase up two flights across three platforms and down two flights to the train. The doors were closing so I jumped on the first open door the big luggage carriage was in the center of the car where I put my bag and sat down still trying to catch my breath.
About an hour later we arrived in Marsailles where I discovered I had to get off and find my connection to Nimes that left in 18 minutes. I walked down the platforms looking up where there was a train, for the scheduled stops but no Nimes. I saw some SNCF (french train) employees and quickly ran over while they got on their phone and checked my ticket...Platform C ...C? NO Platform T....T? NO Platform K and wrote it on my notes....I ran down with a long line when I got there. I was at the end. When I arrived at the turnstyle it again would not accept my barcode or ticket and no one was around. I recognized the HELP robot, pushed the button I HAVE A TICKET BUT CAN NOT GET THE GATE TO OPEN. Again, some gibberish and it opened and I made it. The big suitcase carriage was full of small suitcases which could go in the overhead rack but mine wouldn't without help and the train was packed. I sat in a fold down chair next to the exit clutching my suitcase to keep it from rolling away everytime we stopped or took a corner. I wasn't alone. The ride was 1 1/2 hours when we arrived in Nimes. 
French Pants..American Jacket...striped shirt with NY Tie Polished Shoes and French Goatee
I had 27 minutes and it was 2 pm so I stopped for a salad then went to the platform but couldn't find it. I was lost and asked security and he said you have to go Upstairs and better hurry. I had to take the elevator and the train man wouldn't let me on until I showed him my ticket. Now I had a separate ticket (I was issued two but only one was printed out at the machine and the other was mailed to my email to download) . I fumbled with my phone, got on the internet and was trying to remember where I download the file too when the elevator went up without me. Finally I got it and the elevator returned and I got on what I thought was #2 car with my 1st class ticket and assigned seat. Just as I saw the empty BIG suitcase shelf another person put his backpack in it. I showed him my suitcase so he begrudgingly removed it and put it overhead while I managed put it there. The car was full so I am looking for seat 15 and the same guy is seating in it. I showed him my ticket and he said you are on the wrong car. It is the one next to us! But now the train is moving and this is 1st class with no connection to the other cars from inside the train. The lady across from him had a backpack in the only empty seat in the car so she put it in the overhead rack and gave me the seat. He said when we get to the next stop you and change back but there was no next stop until Lyon which was my stop. Then just before we arrive in Lyon, the conductor wants to see my ticket. 1st class gives you free WIFI so I changed over to it so I could download some photos which use a lot of data costing me money. So I panic and now was disconnected and couldn't give him my barcode and 1st class ticket. So he asked my to fill out his form on his phone with my birthdate name etc. I did and the ticket came up. Travel isn't what it used to be..jpg)
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You can see how easy to get lost in this station.
I am in Lyon, a very big city and my GPS tells me the grocery store, where I pick up my keys, is 10 minutes. So I am following it and then it say 11 minute and 12 . I found a big "YOU ARE HERE" map outside and reversed my directions, made the store got the keys then 5 minutes later I am at the building as someone is coming out the door so I walk right in without using the FOB that is suppose to open it. I find the elevator and when I opens I heard someone say something. I thought someone was coming around the corner and wanted me to hold the elevator. So I did. Then I heard the voice again...in french...it was the elevator asking me what floor. I press the 6 and got out and all the hall lights lit as soon as I stepped out. I opened the door to my room and found it perfect. I unpacked opened the windows and looked down 6 stories and wished they had screens. I could sleep with the windows open. Then I noticed metal screens like shades the roll down on the outside with the device on the inside. Nespresso machine! Fast internet. Nice stove, with marble backdrop. Etc. This is nice. I unpacked and being Monday most restaurants were closed or serving expresso or booze only NO FOOD.
6 floors up, open windows,Radisson Hotel across the way
Outside Blinds Closed
I found a nice place with one person sitting outside and walked in the open door but it was dark. The man outside asked if I wanted something to eat. I thought you were closing...no opening. I had a bottle of beer with a pop top and a delicious Smashburger with bacon and cheese. I treated myself to a bottle of Mouton Cadet Bordeau and some breakfast food for mornings. When I returned I pulled out the FOB to unlock the door, pressed the button but the door didn't open. After three times, I heard a voice and there was a speaker box with a screen you had to put the FOB to in order to open the door. I learned a lot today.
Pop Top Bottle easy peasy
Smashburger with Cheese/Bacon...not healthy but damn good.
NO Food just Booze...with their cigarettes and Vapes
Letting My Fancy Bordeau Breathe before I treat myself. I have to get my ticket so called the hotel this morning to verify the stop for the hotel. It was the airport and they have a regular shuttle next to Carl's Junior!!
Off to do laundry 3 minutes away. Again all computerized but no detergent? Oh all the machines have detergent...you just put your clothes in. I pick the machine on computer and put my debit card up but it's not accepted. Only those that connect without pass code. Now I have to go back and get the Credit card but wait...it takes cash and I have no change...no problem it take 5, 10, or 20 Euros. I get change and have my clothes in the machine for 30 minutes so run across to a luncheon place with a line and get a Curry Chicken Sandwich to take back. After I finish it I still have some time and noticed the Paul Bocuse Halles of Food? I duck in there and take some photos but have my clothes in the dryer now 10 minutes so run back finish folding t hen return to the Halles and finish the tour. Unbelievable. I want to eat in everyone of the restaurants and would do all my food shopping there if I lived where I do now.
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Oysters from Utah Beach...D-Day Landing I took one?
Yes $109 per Kilo for Fresh Sole..only $54.50 a pound.
I'm going for a walk to the Tourist center for a map and maybe visit the Funicular. I used my GPS and was on my way. Get to the river crossing the Rhone,entered the center,found the Tourist bureau, crossed another bridge and and arrived. I asked the attendant if I could buy a 10 use pass that would incude the Funicular. He took me to the machine, and helped me buy it and I was going up the mountain in the Car to the top..I thought. When I arrived the Roman Theater was a short climb but I had been there on a previous visit so took some photos and was on my way up to the Basilica...and up and up... steep climb.
I need water. I made it and
was very impressed. I got my water $2.80 for about 14 oz. I had already been inside the Church and decided to take a different direction back down to the Funicular but a wrong turn in the Rose Garden sent my down but way away from my ride. 
The Roman Ruins now up to Basilica
The Basilica from the Tourist Bureau
This is a famous Chef from 1790 or something. Lyon reveres Chefs
Just off the Funicular
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So it was down..no problem until about an hour later and I was dragging but getting closer to my place and the Les Halles and late lunch. It was dinner time, 5:30 when I arrived to discover none of the restaurants were serving and the place closed in 1/2 hour. I asked around and everyone said no restaurants serve at this time unless you go to the Center across the street up to the top floor. It was a huge food hall with lots of up scale Fast food but sit down service with wine. I stopped at an Asian Fusion place that had Sushi and decided to start my switch to Vegan now. I had a delicious Broccoli with Oyster sauce and Vinegared Rice with a glass of wine. 
Paul Bocuse
I think there is 30 restaurants here!
The Futures of Cinema has arrived...get your ticket at the computer...pick what you want.
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| The Roof Top |
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| Another View of the Radisson |
I slept well and been on the computer most of the morning. I went next door coffee and a praline tart for snack then later for lunch instead of Les Halles. I had an appetizer of fresh butter sauteed green beans, bell peppers, red onions, tomatoe with a fried egg on top. Then Saute Sole with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes with a glass of white wine. I think it was $24. In France and Holland,the price is what you pay, tax is included. No tip or small if the server was specially nice. But there is no place on the charge or when you purchase that you can add a tip. Some places but not many. I don't feel the restaurants are very expensive unless you are going to a really upscale place. 
The Chef came and asked if I enjoyed the meal. I told him the fish was dry and overcooked. He said something and scurried off!
I returned and played some more on the computer and planned a trip tomorrow to the Confluence Museum. My legs were still sore and our elevator was out so I walked up 6 flights of stairs. They had it fixed when I left for dinner in the same Les Tables on the Top floor of a Shopping center. The place I live is ALL single units like my unit you saw in the photos. All identical in layout and all occupied by mostly singles young and old. The FOB electronically opens the outside door so no one can enter without one. A freind can call you and you can buzz them in from your room. All the lights hall lights are temporary lit for a short time. When you get off the elevator there is a light switchs right there and others in between each unit in the hallway so when you exit your unit in the day....it is completely dark but the switchs have a little blue light so you can reach over and turn on the light that go off after a short time. The internet is all fiber optics and routers in every unit with hi-speed. When you leave the building there is a button to push that unlocks the door. The Streets are for cars, lanes for bikes and scooters. The scooters are all over and you can rent them cheap and take one and drop it off downtown and visaversa...all on your phone. It is not pedestrian only but has a great bus, subway and tram system so traffic is nil except in the morning and after work. Most cars are hybrid or electric so there is little or no noise. It is so quiet. The scooters some people own and take them to the apartment. They fold up and have headlights for driving at night. The air is much cleaner and all the buses are electric.
I walked up the outside 102 stairs to the roof and entered the Les Tables. I exaggerated a bit...there are about 20-25 restaurants under one roof. All are open like sidewalk cafes, so you see everyone dining on Sushi, Franks Hotdogs, Fat Freddies Smashburgers, Asian Fusion, Steak Houses, Mexican, Bistros, Crepe Restaurants, Italian, Ramen, etc. I wanted to try something different but enjoyed last nights meal so was welcomed back by the nice staff at PanAsias but instead of all veggies...I added Salmon this time. Very good again.
These single tables each have their own computer to order from. When your meal is ready it comes on a conveyor belt on the shelf in front with in reach and stops at your space.
These are real copper pots all hung in a center area that looks down on the mall 3 stories below. Later you will see the photo I took of them when I took the elevator down to exit out the mall.
These people are ordering there meals on the computer like a fancy McDonalds but its a Chicken place I think. Not all have these and you do see them in the Houston airport even at the bar to order your drinks.
This is around 6:30 on the way home...no cars. The sunset is around 9:30pm here. He is on a scooter 20 mph.
This morning it was chilly so I decided to use my Transport pass to take the Tram to Confluence Museum on the other end of Lyon. The main station is right out my door for that, the buses and the Metro. I made it.
YOU LOOKING AT ME?!
Starbucks for pit stop & directions. One more stop..oh well.
Big Brother has his eye on You!
Here is a mess of 'em. It would take me forever to photo these and all those prehistoric giants. Really impressive.
I saw one of these in action while in the jungle of Costa Rica...eating nuts..it's a large RAT with a fancy name Nuria or ?
Where's my server! I let the poor thing out...but its partner got left behind to never see each other again.
He was playing Classical music and was talented. Still hungry I headed for Paul Bocuse's Halles and had a glass of wine and fois gras...$12 for the wine $29 for what you see. Very rich in flavor and fat. Made me very poor at $41 and still hungry. I had Ramen noodles at home.
It was 47% this morning. I decided to stay in. I went to Le Gabion, next door and had a excellent lunch. I was going tonight but he is full with reservations. I had the daily special but tomorrow I will order off the menu.
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The walls are stones with wire mesh holding them. JFK with Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcok. Rhone White Wine with Olive Tapinade, Salmon Carpaccio and Salad, Brochette of Beef and Veal with Mashed Potatoes and a Goat and Ricotta Cheese with Red Fruit Jam. You bet I'll be back..$32
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The walls are stones with wire mesh holding them. JFK with Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcok. Rhone White Wine with Olive Tapinade, Salmon Carpaccio and Salad, Brochette of Beef and Veal with Mashed Potatoes and a Goat and Ricotta Cheese with Red Fruit Jam. You bet I'll be back..$32
I depart Lyon tomorrow for the airport. Hope to get a long walk in today...like yesterday. I took a Metro to see some of Lyons best Murals. My pass was good for 10 uses. I used one on the Funicular and about 4 going in the wrong direction on the Metro then reversing.
When I arrived at the Hotel de Ville stop my GPS directed me to a Mural I already photographed when I walked back from the Bascilica the day I took the Funicular. I walked on to the next Mural and I had photographed that years before on my last visit. I was tired of looking for Murals but it was such a beautiful day I started wandering the narrow passageways and alleys enjoying the photo opportunities. I was lost and didn't care. Finally I decided to return to Hotel Ville Metro and home. I filmed a demonstration I thought was going to be a Flash Dance. It was a protest against a French Trump alike...Vincent Bollore. This world is in trouble. 
Hungry after a wonderful photo shoot walking the city. I stopped again at the last restaurant and had nice mussels with pesto and Breast of Duck that was really salty. I would not recommend this restaurant after this meal.
During the day walk I encountered that demonstration and made a video of it. I will edit the video for YouTube and put it on a later post for you. Tomorrow I stay one night at the Airport Marriot then depart American Airlines for JFK to visit my cousins near Albany. European airlines are dropping flights to the U.S. because the demand has shifted to Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. American Airlines sent me a new form required by the U.S. government to give them my name, phone number, email, and address in the U.S. unless I was just stopping over on the way somewhere else. Big Brother ...I had to do that when I entered Communist China and never had to do that coming to my own country until now!!!
