Well I just woke up and it's noon on Thursday and it appears that I am in another country.
Plane ride was long but good. Mom and I were across the aisle from each other so we both got aisle seats (thanks daddy). I had the good fortune of sitting next to Madge and her husband Hubert (not their real names but could have been). They were en route to a 4 week stay in Paris and Itly (their pronunciation). If you would like details of their plans or any other trip they have taken, I have them. I like chit chat as much as the nexy guy - but come on. :)
Plane landed and we made it through customs. They apparently were not aware that people would be coming to France on a Wednesday because there were 2 people working and about 400 people in line. Zut alors!! Anywho - got our luggage and headed out to find a cab. My French is still in shock at this time and I can barely say in English that we need a cab to the train station. 40 euros later (look up the conversion for the shock value of this) we are at the biggest train station these little country eyes have seen. So we roll in like we own the place and soon give it away as we stand and turn in circles looking for any sign of familiarity. Thankfully we had a 2 hour wait to get our bearings and needed every minute. I must tell you at this point in the trip, I am ready to head back home. Realizing we are only one-third of the way through our journey to our first stop has me a little shaken and the last leg is me driving!! And you have to pay 50 cents to use the potty! WTH??
After talking to several people, we get ourselves situated and wait for our track number to pop up. It comes 20 minutes before the departure time. Now if you know anything about my mother, you know she has this way of being very gentile and sweet. But she also has this way (in times of stress, which this was) of knocking everyone out of her way when it's go time. Well, our track number popped up and by God - she was gonna get us on that train. To her credit, no one was hurt in the process. We found our seats and got situated for a 2 hour train ride. A quick nap as we rolled through the country side and we were in Strasbourg. Now on to the rental car facility...
We find the Avis place and they are very accomodating with the English as my fatigue and anxiety grow. We get our directions to walk down the block to the parking garage and find our car. Easy right? Well, we find the garage and 3 trips up and down the elevator and my mother's CSI-like detective work later we finally arrive at our little car. Nice sized, roomy, and a standard. Haven't driven one in years but it's like riding a bike, right?? Actually it was. We took about 3 loops around the parking garage top floor we were off like a herd of turtles. Now during this test drive, my mother tells me - take your time, get used to all the gears. I don't know what parking garages you have been in lately but it's a little hard to get up enough speed to get into 3rd gear let alone 5th!! Watch out for my mother if you are ever in a parking garage with her. Save yourseleves.
Loaed for bear with several sets of google directions we head for Colmar. Now the traveling gods were totally on our side. After a few turn arounds, we actually got headed in the right direction. A side note to my TXDOT peeps - YOU ROCK!!! Could y'll come over and help out a little? Seriously, that's all I saying. Would clear signage kill anyone? I think not. It wasn't too bad driving and I even felt a little crazy and got in the left lane for a few seconds until a car came speeding from out of no where and promptly put me back in my place in the right lane.
After several traffic circles and a unique road divider system later, we arrived in Colmar - a cute cobble stoned town. About 20 laps around the city and we find our hotel - again TXDOT where are you? French is still not coming to me but we manage to get checked in by a very gracious hotel clerk. We get showerd (finally) and head out to find dinner. We end up eating at the hotel and then off to bed. Mom can give the details of dinner later.
Plane ride was long but good. Mom and I were across the aisle from each other so we both got aisle seats (thanks daddy). I had the good fortune of sitting next to Madge and her husband Hubert (not their real names but could have been). They were en route to a 4 week stay in Paris and Itly (their pronunciation). If you would like details of their plans or any other trip they have taken, I have them. I like chit chat as much as the nexy guy - but come on. :)
Plane landed and we made it through customs. They apparently were not aware that people would be coming to France on a Wednesday because there were 2 people working and about 400 people in line. Zut alors!! Anywho - got our luggage and headed out to find a cab. My French is still in shock at this time and I can barely say in English that we need a cab to the train station. 40 euros later (look up the conversion for the shock value of this) we are at the biggest train station these little country eyes have seen. So we roll in like we own the place and soon give it away as we stand and turn in circles looking for any sign of familiarity. Thankfully we had a 2 hour wait to get our bearings and needed every minute. I must tell you at this point in the trip, I am ready to head back home. Realizing we are only one-third of the way through our journey to our first stop has me a little shaken and the last leg is me driving!! And you have to pay 50 cents to use the potty! WTH??
After talking to several people, we get ourselves situated and wait for our track number to pop up. It comes 20 minutes before the departure time. Now if you know anything about my mother, you know she has this way of being very gentile and sweet. But she also has this way (in times of stress, which this was) of knocking everyone out of her way when it's go time. Well, our track number popped up and by God - she was gonna get us on that train. To her credit, no one was hurt in the process. We found our seats and got situated for a 2 hour train ride. A quick nap as we rolled through the country side and we were in Strasbourg. Now on to the rental car facility...
We find the Avis place and they are very accomodating with the English as my fatigue and anxiety grow. We get our directions to walk down the block to the parking garage and find our car. Easy right? Well, we find the garage and 3 trips up and down the elevator and my mother's CSI-like detective work later we finally arrive at our little car. Nice sized, roomy, and a standard. Haven't driven one in years but it's like riding a bike, right?? Actually it was. We took about 3 loops around the parking garage top floor we were off like a herd of turtles. Now during this test drive, my mother tells me - take your time, get used to all the gears. I don't know what parking garages you have been in lately but it's a little hard to get up enough speed to get into 3rd gear let alone 5th!! Watch out for my mother if you are ever in a parking garage with her. Save yourseleves.
Loaed for bear with several sets of google directions we head for Colmar. Now the traveling gods were totally on our side. After a few turn arounds, we actually got headed in the right direction. A side note to my TXDOT peeps - YOU ROCK!!! Could y'll come over and help out a little? Seriously, that's all I saying. Would clear signage kill anyone? I think not. It wasn't too bad driving and I even felt a little crazy and got in the left lane for a few seconds until a car came speeding from out of no where and promptly put me back in my place in the right lane.
After several traffic circles and a unique road divider system later, we arrived in Colmar - a cute cobble stoned town. About 20 laps around the city and we find our hotel - again TXDOT where are you? French is still not coming to me but we manage to get checked in by a very gracious hotel clerk. We get showerd (finally) and head out to find dinner. We end up eating at the hotel and then off to bed. Mom can give the details of dinner later.
We are hoping for a more calm and quiet day with a picnic. A bientot!
xoxox
5 comments:
Temperature please>
Il fait un tout petit frais. Just enough for a sweater. 63 during the day and a little drizzle. Mid 50's at night.
This is hilarious!! Have a great time!
This blog ROCKS! I can totally picture you two there. Please keep it up!
Allo Momma, Allo Genvieve.
What's the current price for a litre of fuel? Perhaps you could declare a few at customs on the return trip for use back home? It sounds like yall are having somewhat of a good time. Be sure and try some of the breads at the markets (if available). The detail of the events is great. Keep it up.
A bientot ma petite soeur et ma mere.
Chris
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