After leaving the relaxed, inexpensive, and boring food, environment of Morocco, we arrived in Lyon, France. Immediately we had two shocks.
To begin with, it was COLD. Thinking that with Lyon being a fairly good-sized airport we wouldn’t have to brave outdoor temperatures to deplane, my coat was still in my suitcase, which was in the plane’s belly. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and I had the wonderful experience of running across the tarmac and down the ramp before I froze.
Getting from the airport to our apartment would normally have been a bit less economically painful, but we were arriving quite late at night, so a taxi was our only decent option. Unfortunately, Lyon taxi rates are extortionary, and we ended up having to pay a whopping $86 for the 20-km ride. There was plenty of silent swearing going on in my head.
Our AirBNB hosts, however, were outstanding, and that helped quite a bit. It was about 11 PM by the time we arrived at their apartment. They helped us get settled in and then offered to make us food. While they cooked, we talked about Morocco. ”So, after three months there, my big three needs are cheese, bacon, and booze,” I explained.
They reached inside their fridge and pulled out some cheese as well as some saucisson (kind of like salami). They offered me a beer as well, but I had already prepared for the booze portion of my needs by purchasing a hefty-sized bottle of Absolut apple & ginger vodka in the duty-free shop in Agadir.
Things were looking better already.
The next day we were ready to explore. I had promised Tigger we would go to McDonald’s when we got to France, so that was our first stop. After lunch we continued to check out the town, and Tigger had fun giving locals a near heart attack as we crossed one of the bridges. He thought it would be fun to hop up and walk along the edge of the stone and cement structure.
A couple of people gasped, especially when he began skipping and running along the edge since, well, Tigger doesn’t “walk” unless he’s exhausted.
Once again I forced down my initial paternal/maternal instinct to order him back onto the sidewalk where life is safe and more predictable. I was sure someone was going to call the police, though.
We enjoyed checking out the basilica on top of the hill looking over the city and headed home. The cold was getting to us a bit by then, and we had some important things that needed to be done—stopping at the supermarket and stocking up on bacon and cheese. And bread. That’s important, too.
I felt like a kid in a candy shop as we walked around the grocery store. So many choices! The bread selection alone, and we’re not talking the bagged stuff, was huge. There were at least 4 aisles with cheese and 3 with cured meats. Oh how I have always loved France!
Tigger rolled his eyes as I expressed my excitement at discovering they had a bread cutting machine. Some of the locals looked at me with slight concern on their faces as I giddily watched the machine slice our brand new loaf of wonderful, crusty bread into thick slices that would soon be adorned by several varieties of cheese.
I wisely restrained myself from clapping at this technological wonder.
I did later lose all semblance of self-respect (and scare some people in the process). When I spotted the beautiful cans of Guinness Draught, also known as Nectar of the Gods, I gasped audibly and froze in the middle of the aisle. People turned their heads in shock and quickly vacated my immediate area as I explained my excitement to my son.
Surprisingly, he didn’t feel the need to pretend he didn’t know me.
With groceries in hand, we returned to the apartment to prepare and consume our feast while enjoying another wonderful gift of being in France—high-speed WiFi.
Sometimes it’s the little things.
26 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
Kathleen
05/02/2013 at 1:43 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
You are such a brilliant writer that I actually heard your audible gasp! Thanks for doin’ what you do!
Talon
05/02/2013 at 9:47 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
LOL Hope it didn’t scare you, too!
Bethaney
05/02/2013 at 5:03 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Four aisles of cheese!?!? HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bethaney recently posted..Travel Hacking New Zealand: Finding Cheap Flights in New Zealand
Talon
05/02/2013 at 9:48 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Yes indeed! And I think it was actually more than 4 aisles. I was just being conservative.
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
05/02/2013 at 6:59 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I’m glad you finally have high-bandwidth internet.
I don’t know how you got by without it . . .
What is that train (subway?) station in the topmost picture? The ceiling is vaguely reminiscent of D.C. Metro stations . . .
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 17: mischievous monkeys in Gibraltar
Talon
05/02/2013 at 9:48 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
That part of the experience was not so much fun for sure. LOL
The photo is from one of the metro stations in Lyon.
Catherine Forest
05/02/2013 at 10:47 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Only long-term travelers can understand you in such circumstances! Enjoy!!
Catherine Forest recently posted..The gene pool lottery
Talon
05/02/2013 at 11:35 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Very true. A vacationer isn’t going to have that experience I don’t think.
Melanie Murrish
05/02/2013 at 7:16 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Man, You have just totally ruined my new-found healthy detox; no wine, fewer carbs, teeny tiny pieces of cheese! Oh well, I can live through your posts! Enjoy.x
Talon
06/02/2013 at 12:19 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
The France posts may be fairly brutal, then. I apologize in advance.
The Guy
05/02/2013 at 9:03 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Sounds as though it is great to be back home. I do hear that the wifi is exceptionally good in France so I can understand that excitement.
The Guy recently posted..The Magic Of Melbourne – Seeing Penguins At St Kilda
Talon
06/02/2013 at 12:20 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
France isn’t home for us, but it was an interesting change to be away from the rural life. And the fantastic WiFi was MOST welcome indeed.
Larissa
05/02/2013 at 10:15 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Funny you mention McDonalds and France. . . the only time on our RTW that we went to one was in Paris. They were featuring something called a “McBaguette” and Michael just had to try it. Damn if it wasn’t pretty good
For my money, though, I’d stick with the saucisson and cheeses. . .
Larissa recently posted..The Tet Flower Festival in Ho Chi Minh City
Talon
06/02/2013 at 12:21 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
One thing I’ll give McDonald’s. In France, it’s quite good. Quality seemed much improved over what we’ve typically experienced with them. And I am TOTALLY with you on the saucisson and cheese.
Lauren, Ephemerratic
06/02/2013 at 1:37 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I had a very similar experience after leaving Morocco and arriving in Spain. The cheese! The pork! The wine! I cried and am nearly crying again now remembering my overwhelming salty, porky, boozy emotions.
The contrast between Morocco and France would have sent me to the hospital from excessive joy or simply food-caused cardiovascular issues.
Lauren, Ephemerratic recently posted..Haberdashery: Better than head-smashery
Talon
10/02/2013 at 12:36 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I was amazed by shorts still fit by the time we left France. LOL
Micki
09/02/2013 at 11:49 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Oh gosh, four isles of cheese, Guinness and high speed Wi-fi – I think I’ll book a flight to Lyon
Micki recently posted..Our Travel Bloggers Best Dozen Posts
Talon
10/02/2013 at 12:37 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Especially after you’ve been in Morocco for 3 months living off tajine, couscous, and roast chicken.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com
10/02/2013 at 12:39 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I can’t believe you ate at McDonalds, in France of all places! LOL Still, I remember what you said about Moroccan food, so I can imagine Tigger looking for some familiar burger for a change.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..The Most Romantic Places in Europe
Talon
10/02/2013 at 12:37 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
When you’re a parent, you sometimes have to sacrifice for your kid.
D.J. - The World of Deej
10/02/2013 at 9:08 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I can totally relate to doing a cartwheel over WiFi:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island – Picture of the Week
Talon
10/02/2013 at 9:57 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
Esp after 3 months of crappy 3G in Morocco.
Hogga
12/02/2013 at 10:50 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I feel like all beer is Nector of the Gods
Talon
13/02/2013 at 1:00 pm (UTC 7) Link to this comment
LOL! I don’t know, I’ve definitely had some nasty beer.
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
13/02/2013 at 5:25 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I sometimes feel like this when I get back home to Chicago after a long time in Spain. Enough ham – I want an all-beef hot dog!!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas recently posted..Seville Snapshots: Love Locks in Florence, Italy
Talon
13/02/2013 at 11:34 am (UTC 7) Link to this comment
I’m not a fan of hotdogs, but when we were in Paris I did enjoy one. The first time since the US it actually tasted like a hotdog! LOL