I have to say, up front, that there are lots of blogs in the making that I just haven’t finished! For whatever reason…and believe me, I have reasons….I feel compelled to get this entry on the books! Perhaps, it’s my last in this adventure in real time, and I want to summarize it all. I know I will revisit this time and again over the next couple of months (perhaps) as this will actually become my journal…keeping track of my adventures and feelings that coincide with said adventures. I have plenty of paper/memorabilia that will trigger moments and emotions that I am bringing home. I panic a bit, I don’t have “beaucoup de chose” /souvenirs that often accompany a journey such as this.  But this has never been about “stuff”, it’s been about experiences! I have gifts for family and friends, but not much else but indeed, memories…mostly great, but some challenging!

I am thankful that this trip has been limited to three months….I, myself, couldn’t bear much more of a solo adventure.  ….was not aware, up until now, how much companionship was important in my life. Yes, I am comfortable in my own space, but to have some one to laugh with (this is BIG), get a hug when needed… It has all been thrown at me when it was required… but not available. So, my appreciation for such has been tossed onto center-stage. 

Did I bite off more than I can chew? No, now that the three months are coming to a close….no! Did I stick this out because I said I would….there is a bit of conviction thrown in, but if I was miserable, I might’ve thrown in the towel. I was up for an adventure…I was up for the challenge! I know I will look back at this and really, I will be amazed that I really accomplished this challenge! I wish I could say that my French has exceeded my expectations, but, no… It has not! There is so much more that I need to do… Now this challenge is to continue with said desire!.

 I have resorted from time to time with posting on Facebook. I think it was my fleeting chance to tell all that I was ok and experiencing more than I had ever thought I could! It gave me the opportunity to share without going into depth…it worked, but didn’t really go into my inner-most feelings. I hope to remedy this in the days ahead.  Let’s see, as I have a bag full of memories to try to recreate in words. Thank you all for following this journey with me. I am not finished yet! I will be home soon and I will be needing hugs…giving hugs….and a bit of gut laughter and all will be good!

Grand Marnier souffles

Coffee explosion and raspberry devine!

Homemade caramels and a chocolate truffle..honestly!

An afternoon to remember!!

Like we’ve been friends forever!

Happy girl!

A Madeline with a refreshing from age sorbet/glacé

Shawn is happy with her choice!

I had the white fish with eggplant and hearts of been (referring to tomato shape)

Another appetizer, fish ..thinking raw….on a bed of puréed peas

Two types of butter

Appetizer and champagne

July 4, 2016

Writing this on the 5th, still acceptable in my book!  I want to keep this as close to real time as possible, or this trip might get away from me! I know I still have some catching up to do…no promises made, just a sincere attempt to try!

The 4th of July…I’m a big fan of displayed fireworks! I remember looking out my bedroom window as a child…on occasion ( usually in Summer, but we were up in Arrowhead most Summers), I was able to watch the fireworks display from a distance that Disneyland would set off….for various occasions. Also, while in Arrowhead, it was tradition to go out on the boat with family on the lake to watch fireworks set off from a barge for all the oohs and aahs!  So, this year will be different….not a single sparkler to be found, but I’ll be fine with that this year…in France, not a real celebration. I’ll get my fireworks fix on Bastille Day on the 14th…perhaps over the Eiffel Tower. That ought to be a pinch-me moment! 

My day began with coffee with my Airbnb hostess, Lucy, at her favorite coffee shop near here. I will try to find it again ….not a given on these hills and staircases!. Always a challenges, but part of the fun! It’s a delight to connect with transplanted “locals”. Confirming my comfort in the accommodations provided and the upcoming cooking class…a good week ahead!

There is great anticipation for an afternoon extraordinaire! I have been invited to join a new friend, Shawn, for a meal at La Mère Brazier, here in Lyon. It was to be a gastronomic delight by many reviews, and Lyon is the “gastronomic” capital of France. Great historical beginning to such claim, who was I to argue! 

Not sure how to proceed because so many specifics come flooding into my memory, but do you actually want to read about it all…I think not, because it is one of those, you had to be there, to really get the experience! Needless to say, it’s a memorable time I shall not forget….

Yes, I actually tried a foie gras and chicken paté appetizer (outside that vegetarian box again) with a glass of champagne to start. 

Small delectable courses followed as the photos show. There were moments of amusement with the photos, but it was all understood.

Looking at the soufflé, I thought, there’s no way I could finish this….but I did!

The meal was extraordinary, but so was the friendship that was created. It was as if we had known each other for years….compadres in this world of travel. It reminds me of how truly blessed I am….although we all know, Liza has her challenges…she is truly grateful!

July 3, 2016

Gold star…three days in a row for all my followers…who would you be? I haven’t too much of a clue except when I get an email from someone who is worried that I haven’t posted anything for a couple of days. Some one is reading about my adventure….and I say thank you! But in essence, it a type of journalizing that I will treasure in my elder years which aren’t  far away! So, it is also a gift to myself and for family who one day might want to learn what their adventuresome relative had up her sleeve. 

There is still an apprehension when I exit my home/studio/apartment. I have a plan…somewhat mapped out…do I have all I need? Do I have the code to get back in on my return…do I have my passes, do I have my phone, maps,all the extraneous stuff necessary?? I have to remember to be flexible regardless of all the pre-planning that I do! I guess what this is teaching me is to be is confident in my ability to adapt…because that is what it has been on this adventure….adaptation, and may I add, with a smile! At the end of the day I can say it was all good.

It has been a gorgeous day…blue sky with billowy clouds. Nothing but sheer gratitude coming from me! Out of the house by 10 with an aire of confidence…or at least faking it, because you never know what’s around the bend. I head down (which is what you do from the Croix-Rousse) toward the river because I’m hoping to catch the boat tour down the Saône River for a look from the water! I plan to see a mural that’s noteworthy, and eureka, I found it without too much trouble. In the descent, I did pass a little park with children playing soccer (or as they say here…football) with their dad, while mom was encouraging them on. It’s very comfortable here and I have more “bonjours” that catch me offguard and makes me happy to be in Lyon. 

Walking along the riverfront, I pass a market with many vendors selling books of all kinds. I loved when I heard them singing just something that moved them, because little did they know, it moved me too! The scene changed a couple blocks down to more produce…cheeses, flowers…food vendors with quite a collection of folks meandering to and fro! Sunday markets are exuding a French way of living!  I hope supermarkets never replace these and I”m sure they are wanting the same!

Caught the boat tour in time and got a seat next to some gals from Brazil that were very friendly and one spoke very good English…not so much French. They were leaving this afternoon and our exchange was great! They are looking forward to the Olympics next month!! An hours tour was perfect to get a taste of the city from the water.

Aprés le bateau, I grabbed a bite to eat at a cafe in the Place du Change…had a great conversation with a couple from Australia/South Wales…he’s a coach at a private school and she is a principal at another. Very comfortable conversation as I bid them au revoir to dash off (in French style) to my walking tour with Jerome. This man knows his history. Not to brag…but what a fountain of knowledge regarding the Vieux Lyon!! It was incredible walking through the Traboules (passageways). To see this part of the city should be done with an experienced guide, you would miss so much possibly by just a block or so..

After this phenomenal tour…had a couple beers with Shawn, a new found friend from New York. Some things just are meant to happen and I’m open to creating new friendships along this journey. We will have lunch tomorrow, but prior to this…I have a morning coffee meeting with my hostess, Lucy. I am so blessed!

July 2, 2016

Saturday here in Lyon…I’m a tad whooped but it is all good! You might note that I have dated this post. I want to keep things as current as I can, presently, because days slip by without a post and then I forget where and what is happening that I seemed to have omitted in this blog. I’ve got Eric Clapton  on my Amazon Prime…”Catch the Blues”, I’ve got incredible glass of wine from the Lyon region and it’s time to update my activities. I’m inspired!

I made the commitment that I would keep all informed as to my whereabouts. Sometimes I feel that it is more of a glorified travel log… then I remember it’s not all fluff, because it’s not all fluff! Eat, pray, love is not happening here as you have read before…. was it my initial reason for taking this adventure? Possibly, that fantasy came up on occasion….reality slapped me in the face! I have to say though that this has been amazing, but I am finding it within my own sphere…not a bad thing…just different!

Saturday, it’s off to the Tourist Office…such a great resource when trying to figure out sights and times allotted for such! Got a two day pass and I’m trying to figure out what are my best options. It’s was threatening rain at intervals since I woke up to sprinkles, but I don’t have time to delay…one week is all I have here…jump on it! Due to rain, decided it was museum day at Musée des Beaux-Arts. Stopped off at Eglise St. NIzer. No complaints with this side trip..always humbling to see these churches smack dab in the center of commerce!

Off to the museum…I won’t bore you with the entire 4 hours I spent here! I kept turning a corner to discover more…ascend stairs to a new exhibition that was breath-taking. I’m always drawn to sculptures and this was overwhelming….it in first hour!

An incredible Egyptian exhibition!

Grecian mosaic

So, I had to choose some art work..don’t want to overwhelm/bore you. Needless to say..it was a full day at the museum. I haven’t even made it to Paris! 

July 1, 2016

I have a warm feeling here in Lyon. I do know that there is always a moment of apprehension when making the move toward a new destination. There are the details that need to be reviewed over and over…checking bus schedules…coinciding with train schedules…enough time…it can be slightly hectic, for there is no one but you responsible when traveling solo. One might think that if something goes a bit off-kilter…no big deal…but when I have packed lightly for three months travel…it’s not so lightly and rather a bit of a juggling act to make sure all is in order and accounted for.

Cleaning my apartment of two months…had a slight accident with charcoal pencil on a bedspread from sketching…had to replace that…along with matching pillow shams. I just chalk it up to another challenge ( it did stifle any future attempts at sketching.. I’m getting over that and thinking I better start or I’ll have to discard the sketch book….added weight). I think I left it as I found it…hopefully Mireille thinks so too. I have discovered that with Airbnb, the host will rate you as a guest while you are rating their property. Makes sense, because if you are a good guest with reviews reflecting such, you would be more readily accepted for future destinations/reservations. I did get a favorable review recently in Holland for a couple nights visiting my niece and her fiancé. I would like to keep that trend going! So, there is beaucoup de chose to do  before departing for a new place…not always a piece of cake…but I didn’t sign up for one!

After a ride on the TGV….speed train….goodness it goes fast….a nice taxi ride to the area known as Croix Rousse, I am here above the cooking school, Plum Lyon, and I am content! It is comfortable and the hostess (the cooking instructor in-house) greeted me and I felt at home. Her name is Lucy and that gives me a sense of comfort as this was my Mum’s name. Her studio is so comfortable and it even comes complete with a toilet paper holder (which as I think I stated in a previous post, is often missing in a bathroom!). As you can guess, every possible tool I would need to cook is available here also. She even left three macarons in my refrig for consuming at my leisure which excites me to no end…I’ve become a big fan of the French macaron! What sometimes is behind the old doors streetside (and up a set of old stairs….remember I have very heavy luggage)…is a magnificent place to call home…if only for a week! Here I am, Lyon!

Morning after a good night sleep, but thinking I will need a fan to keep a bit cooler on these hot days/nights. I meet up with the current cooking class participants to join them on a tour of the local outdoor market. I am an extra but appreciate the inclusion during the shopping excursion. It is up many a stair to get there. We stopped periodically to get at bit of Lyon history and catch out breath!

So, the market is extraordinary….produce on both sides….meats…cheeses…flowers….delectables for blocks. I made some purchases and onto other shops. 

Returning to my studio and stowing away my loot, I made a lunch stop at a wonderful and friendly café.  I also perused at a recommended shop to get a bottle of great Lyon wine. So, here I am.