Paris to Normandy

Leaving Paris...we felt sad to go but hopeful of what is yet to come. When we arrived at the train station by taxi, we found ourselves and our luggage in what felt like a big, old basement with no information about trains. It was one of those moments of hopelessness that has punctuated this trip thus far. Everywhere we looked, we saw steep steps—tons of them—and there we stood with two big suitcases and two carry-ons between us and arrows pointing upstairs for the trains. I almost cried, but I was determined to do it, and I started up the stairs with my load when a sweet young woman who did not speak English grabbed the bottom of my case and lifted it to help me. Her kindness was so touching, and, as I looked back at Robin—he had the two big cases—a young man came soaring up the stairs with the big red suitcase and went on his way without a word—our a suitcase. For these two we are very grateful.

The train sped on its way—it was wonderful, very comfortable. Ever since we've been in France, anytime we've had to use “les toilettes” in public, we had to drop in a coin—about ½ euro. Consequently, the bathrooms are very clean and well-equipped. Before the train left the station I made my way to the rest room and the door wouldn't open. So I looked for a place to put a coin and found a small circle in the door. I fit my coin into it and it wouldn't drop down, nor would the door open. I went back to my seat and sent Robin back to check it out. He couldn't get the coin in or out or the door to open either. After the train started, the doors opened—for free! As I mentioned before, we keep learning. Today we also saw the first houses we've seen in France—after we got out of Paris a little.

When we arrived in Rouen, we were happy to find a Hertz Rental office at the station and immediately took care of that. Oh, we had to search for “-2 section, #58” for the car, only to discover a little European minivan. We made sure that we knew how to put it in reverse before we left the parking deck—on the advice of some other French travelers. We drove outside the garage only to discover that our hotel was right there in front of us. And guess where the parking was?? In the same parking garage. We got caught up in the traffic and were whisked away until we lost the hotel temporarily. We eventually found a spot on the street to unload our bags and as long as we move it before 9 a.m., it can stay there, so we're going to try to get on the road early tomorrow after we see the Cathedral in this town. Our room is in a turret—about six sides, I think. The elevator holds one suitcase and one person—about the size of our coat closet at home in the entrance hall.

Dinner in Normandy, where we are, was not appealing to me when I translated the menu: duck, rabbit, goose liver paste, kidneys of veal, etc. I've just been ordering either “poisson” (fish) or “saumon” (salmon)--the fish is usually white and the French know how to prepare anything well. The sauces are fantastic. Robin chose “canard” (duck). I had some kind of white fish on a bed of mashed potatoes with a wonderful sauce of some sort. It was very good.

For those of you who have been e-mailing us, please know that we haven't been able to get into Comcast from this hotel today—after paying 10 euros for three hours on the internet. So we have no access. We can, however, get into our blog.

When I started up those stairs at Gare St. Lazare (train station) in Paris today, I couldn't help but think that I was a contestant on “Survivor.” Then I remembered Tom Hanks saying in “A League of Their Own” that being hard is what makes things worthwhile. I'm going to continue to hold onto that. Au revoir!