Get With the Program!

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I think that Avery and I need to get with the program. First of all, I think that we need to get in step with the 21st century and get a cell phone over here. It sure would have come in handy the last couple of times that we were trying to find our hotels in France. Also, we haven’t travelled on a plane/abroad for four years, so maybe we have forgotten a few things - like most of what we are used to in Canada/Alberta/St. Albert does not necessarily apply to our France vacation.

Fact #1. In Alberta, 400 km from one place to another will take under 4 hours. In France, 400 km from Geneva, Switzerland to Isola 2000 in France takes 10 hours. We somehow took the scenic route through the Alps and ended up taking the highest route in Europe. This route is called Route de la Bonette. The highest point on this route is 2802 meters. We were going up switchback after switchback on a highway that should only be made for one-way traffic, however, the French have found a way to make this a two-lane highway. We were relieved when we got to the village of Isola. This lasted but a moment. We then found out that our hotel, Pierre et Vacances, was in the village Isola 2000. This meant that we had another 16 km climb up the mountain, through narrow winding roads to get to our hotel. We spent 2 nights in Isola 2000.

Fact #2. In Alberta, when you arrive at your hotel, you would imagine that the reception area would be open to welcome you upon your arrival. Not so. We arrived at Pierre et Vacances at 7:30 pm. We walk up to the reception area, and it is darker than the bat cave. There were however instructions about what to do if there was no one in the reception area. You had to call a certain phone number. Beside the reception door, there was a number pad that we thought was the phone. Avery started dialing, but then I realized that it wasn’t a phone and I told her to stop. I tried to cancel the numbers that we had punched in, only to somehow break the keypad. Frantically, I was able to fix it. As you remember, we do not have a cell phone. Therefore, I had to go up to a pizzeria and ask to use their phone. They were kind enough to let us use their phone and then we found out what we needed to do to obtain the keys to our room. We had to return to the keypad that I broke, dial a code and then open the safe. Lo and behold, we had an envelope with our name on it. In the midst of this crazy day, we all slept with the Peace of Christ.

Fact #3. In Alberta, when you go to the pool, they usually have an area for toddlers where the pool is warmer. In Isola 2000, there was a little pool for toddlers, however, it was cold! To make matters a little worse, there was a cool mountain breeze blowing. Myles was so cold that he was shaking in his little swimmers.

Fact #4. After our pool time fun, we decided to head for supper at 5:00 pm. In Alberta, you can eat supper at 5:00 pm. In Isola 2000, at the pizzeria that helped us out, you cannot. I wanted to eat at this pizzeria to give them our business for helping us out. So, we get to the pizzeria, set up Myles’ booster seat, and I go into the restaurant to see if I can order for us. What do I find out? They do not serve supper until 7:00 pm. Needless to say, we went to another place.

Fact #5 - GOOD FACT. In Alberta, I find that people will go out of their way to help people who seem lost and this is the case in France as well. We have been helped in numerous ways. We have been blessed, and continue to be blessed.

After Isola 2000, we found a better highway network and quickly made our way to Monaco for the day. We were driving on the toll highways. We actually hit speeds of 120 km/h. That was heaven! We loved Monaco. It was such a pretty place that was so well kept. We took the kids to the Museum of Oceanography. They loved looking at the different fish and marine life. Myles doesn’t seem to have any fear of crowds. As soon as he saw his first aquarium, he was running through a maze of people to see the fish.

We spent a lovely day in Monaco. It was 5:30 pm and I said to Avery, “I think that we should head back and start looking for our next hotel. Knowing these roads, it will take us at least one hour to get there.” Boy, was I wrong. We left Monaco at 6:00 pm and we didn’t arrive at Promotel until 9:15 pm. I was off by over 2 hours. Promotel is located just outside of Carros, which is a town really close to Nice. We found Carros fine, however, we couldn’t seem to find the highway D6210. The hotel was supposedly between Carros and Colomars. We were running out of diesel. I stopped at a gas station, walked in with our huge maps and said, "I’m lost." The worker at the gas station pointed us in the right direction. We arrived once again in Carros. We get to a traffic circle, Europe is littered with traffic circles, and there are 4 exits for Carros. We decided to try the town center exit. This didn’t work out. I tried to use a payphone. It didn’t accept coins, only cards. I tried my credit card - didn’t work. I tried another payphone - what number do I dial?

Fact #6. Phone numbers in France do not resemble phone numbers in Alberta.

What do we do know? I return to the car, Isabelle has to pee. There are no washrooms in sight, so I take her to the side of a parking lot. She starts going pee and then she says to me, “Dad, I’m peeing on your shoe a little bit.” What a stinker. So - what to do? We remember seeing a McDonald’s. We head there to ask for help. I wait in line for 5 minutes. I get to the counter, and then girl is expecting me to place my order. I get to the counter and I say, “I’m lost, I can’t find my hotel.” In the meantime, we weren’t sure exactly what our hotel was called. They wanted to know the name of the hotel. I told them that I wasn’t sure what it was called. They replied that they couldn’t help me. Man, I felt like a dweeb. I asked to use their phone. What bloody numbers do I dial? The manager had to dial for me. At 9:00 pm, McDonald’s is a hopping place in Carros. I finally get connected to our hotel. I could barely hear what she was saying. Holy smokes it was loud in McDonald’s. I found out from the lady that our hotel was called Promotel. I then told the manager the name of the hotel and he told me that our hotel was right across the way from McDonald’s. So we roll into Promotel at 9:10 pm and get settled for the night. Once again, we had a peaceful sleep. Thank the Lord!

The saving grace of Promotel - it had a very good buffet breakfast, check out time was noon and we enjoyed their lovely swimming pool after breakfast before we had to check out.

This morning we made our way to Grasse, which is the world capital of perfumeries. We went to the Fragonard Perfumery, toured around the perfumery and bought a few things from the gift shop so that I can smell pretty. It is humid in these parts and I have been sweating a fair bit. In Grasse, we then went out for lunch and enjoyed a long French lunch. After our long French lunch, we got in the car and headed back towards Nice, where we are spending the next 3 nights. We got to Nice in good time and I told Avery that we are only looking for our B&B for 30 minutes before we ask for help. Praise the Lord! This was the easiest place to find and we are staying in the bottom level of a families house. The kids are sleeping soundly, and we are looking forward to leaving the car here for 3 days and exploring by foot, bus and boat. Our B&B is called, "Villa Lou Fabroun."

In all, these adventures make you appreciate what you have and what you are used to. These adventures are also times that deepen our faith. Whatever doesn’t kill you, can only make you stronger.

Jarod

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Photos

Chez Manon.
Restaurant just outside of Grenoble.

Route de la Bonette.
At the highest point on the route - 2802 m.

Be careful.
The sign says it all.

Army Bunkers.
There were army bunkers along the route.

Isola 2000
A playground here.

Pierre et Vacances.
Our hotel.

More views.
Isola 2000 views.

Monaco.
Casino in Monaco. We ate at Café de Paris.

Boat Ride.
The ride to the Museum of Oceanography.

Aquariums.
Myles checking out the fish.

Grounds.
The beautiful grounds in Monaco.

Promotel.
In the daytime and not 9:20 pm.

Fragonard.
Just outside of the perfumery.

Grasse.
Fountain in Grasse where the kids played.