Blogs from Île-de-France, France, Europe - page 10

Tag 7 – 16.3. Wo ist Corona & Desinfektionsaktion Wir standen auf mein Plädieren hin um Viertel nach fünf auf. Unser Zug nach Lyon sollte um 6.19 Uhr fahren. Wir waren um Viertel vor sechs da, wie geplant. An der Anzeigetafel stand der Zug nicht, den wir nehmen wollten. Glücklicherweise lief gerade ein Bahnmitarbeiter vorbei. Ich fragte ihn und er meinte, der Zug führe nicht. Wir könnten später einen anderen Regionalzug nehmen, und von dort aus nach Lyon fahren, oder über Paris fahren. Er wollte mal bei dem TGV für uns nachfragen, da der wohl voll sei. Richtig nett. Aber leider kam er nie wieder. Wir fassten die Entscheidung, nach Paris zu fahren. Keine Experimente mehr, am Ende fuhren die anderen Regionalzüge auch nicht. Man konnte tatsächlich noch den Paris-Zug um 6.40 Uhr online buchen. Allerdings ... read more

The next overnight train is to Paris, FRANCE and we are able to have a cabin together. Once again it is a rocky 14 hour trip in our bunk beds. It is difficult even to brush ones teeth. There is an hour wait in Hendaye, FRANCE. This is where Franco and Hitler met at the train station in 1940 to discuss Spain’s part in WWII. Continuing on, the countryside is dotted with villages of white washed homes, coloured shutters, and red tiled rooftops. They are all beautiful. Makes you want to stop and stay awhile. Through the famous Bordeaux wine area bordered by of course, grape vines. Several acres have been flooded right up to the roadside. Suddenly, there is a huge colourful rainbow which only lasts seconds. Many dark brown deer are roaming the fields. ... read more

Invader Art in Paris Not all art in Paris is exhibited in the Louvre or D’Orsay or L’Orangerie, or within the walls of any museum. Although unnoticed by most tourists, Invader Art is displayed in plain view on the outside of nearly 1,200 buildings across Paris. If a person aims their eyes up a little while strolling Parisian cobblestones, he or she will eventually encounter the mosaics that an incognito artist has been installing throughout Paris since 1998. The artist’s identity is a secret and is known only as “Invader.” He has said his purpose in exhibiting his creations on outside walls is so that ordinary, working-class people can enjoy art. Invader Art’s genesis is the once-popular 1970s’ arcade game Space Invaders, and the mosaics vary in size and theme. Although many pieces portray Space Invaders ... read more

Well let’s get the Grand Final thing out of the way first. My team wasn’t in it, so the care factor was very low, but we still watched it at breakfast at 6.30 in Luxembourg, and continued on the train to Paris until the end. I have mixed feelings about the hiding that was served up to Greater Western Sydney, but they were beaten fairly and soundly, they are from NSW, so it’s a good result. And a close friend is a Tigers tragic, so I’m thrilled for her. Our train travelled at 308kph, and I think the Tigers would have beaten it today. The debutant starred and his was a great story of redemption from a chequered past. It’ll have to be the Hawks next year. Our train ride to Paris was uneventful. As I ... read more

Left Edge and Ecco in the care of Anita, our wonderful Petsitter, and headed to Dulles to start our trip to France. No problems with the flight and we must have had a good tailwind as we arrived an hour earlier than planned. We both tried to sleep and managed a few hours. Arriving in the early morning will still feel like the middle of the night to us but we'll try and stay awake to get in sync with Paris time. Looking forward to a great trip!... read more