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Published: November 22nd 2005
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The Streets of Lyon
The color and style was modeled after Florence, Italy. Hello Reader.
Only thirty-five minutes after being dropped off by Claude at a gas station in France did the fifth patron of said station approach me. He had long, blonde hair, blue eyes and looked to be about twenty-four. He said in a thick French accent that he, too, was a traveler and would be more than happy to bring me to Lyon. Didier, which I had him spell and could not pronounce, informed me along the way that he was of Islamic faith, prefered black women, and only had three points left on his licence. As we moved closer to the city center, a voyage that took about an hour, my exposure to French swear words increased. Rough around the edges is the perfect way to describe him. He let me out at the main train station and gave me a meaty hand shake.
I walked into the train station and phoned Clement. He was only a few stops away at a friend's birthday party, to which he invited me. After a ten second call that I fear cost no less than eleven dollars, he met me at the stop. He was tall, with dark hair, and glasses.
Lyon Grafiti
It probably means something really bad in French. Oh, and French, too. I followed him up the stairs to Johanna's apartment where I met Johanna, one of three birthday girls, and Emma, Clement's girlfriend, who's birthday it was not. I settled in and conversed with Clement and his two friends. Over the next hour, I would meet five or six more of his friends who all became friends through a website called bookcrossing.com. They are very interested in literature and asked me what books I have read and liked. Atlas Shrugged, (of which they had not heard), Ender's Game, (which they had all read), and The Missing Piece, a 'children's book' that I still enjoy reading. Because of my short list, our topic moved to movies, which I aptly discussed with the group. I should also mention they all liked The Game, a truly great movie that anyone with credible taste can see is a masterpiece. I recognized and thanked them all for speaking in English. 'Anything for Ross!' (They had recognized my face from my role on the wildly popular American television show.)
Clement and I caught the tram home around twelve. We talked and laughed and he gave me a key to his apartment, to
Hidden Stairs
On the inside of a building. which I immidietly attached Claude's keychain. His apartment was in the center of town. It was perfect. It had everything that one needs to live and no television. I painstakingly checked my e-mail before hitting the sack, (the keyboard was imported from Mars.)
Clement crept out before I woke up to buy breakfast. We ate and headed out to explore the city. He showed me things that would never be in any guide book. There were what seemed like secret passages through buildings that would lead to a most picturesque garden or staircase. I soaked it all in. I also took many pictures of grafiti on the walls. Some would say it ruins the city, but it makes it unique and colorful, (in some cases). We went to a large statue of a woman and four horses, a museum park, and a fairground where there was a White Tent Festival going on. We went to one of two rivers (The Rhone and the Saone) and walked along where booksellers with tables were selling their antique volumes. I kept seeing the basilica on the hill, but he said it was better to go up at night to enjoy the view.
An Enormous Fountain
Dominates the park across from the Musees des Beaux Arts. I trusted him.
I bought some kebap for lunch and we enjoyed it back at his apartment. I ventured out by myself as he and his friend played music. Clement is a talented piano player and his friend played the guitar. I went to an enormous park and then got lost in the city for hours, riding the trams from one end to another with Barenaked Ladies, Bruce Springstien, and Counting Crows. I went back to the museum, but it had closed. I went back to Clement's apartment and gathered my things. As promissed, we finally went to the crown of Lyon, the Notre Dame de Fourviere, (known to the locals as 'the upside-down elephant') to enjoy the misty view. The giant building is situated next to a mini-Eiffel tower, which just isn't impressive. I told him during our trek that if we became separated, I would surly die of starvation after weeks of aimlessley wondering the streets. As the words left my mouth, he made a one-eighty and took off running in the other direction. I burst into tears, and he just laughed and laughed.
I was most flattered when he told me that he had met
The Rose Tower
Also hidden on the interior of a building. another American couchsurfer, but not until meeting me did he decide he really wanted to visit the US. A great compliment in my book.
He brought me to Johanna's house, my new hostess since Clement would be unable to host me during the week. (He lives and works about two and a half hours away Monday through Friday.) Johanna was more than welcoming and has said that I may stay til Thursday. I hugged Clement goodbye and told him I would see him again. Johanna showed me around and we talked for a while about her movie collection and Super Mario Brothers Melee for GameCube, which she said she mastered. I am taking bets for the upcomming match between The Unbeatable Buffalonian and The Mad Mademoiselle.
The next day I rested. I didn't leave the apartment. I watched Garden State twice, once without and once with commentary. I met Johanna's sister, Tamara, who is a student and loves Harry Potter more than I do, and Tamara's boyfriend, Eric, who recently finished university and is looking for an engineering job in Lyon. They would both be staying with Johanna as well. Johanna made cheese pasta and salad for lunch.
Basilica by Day
Overlooking the city. I couch surfed and chatted online with Gustavo who was leaving Switzerland for Paris the following day. (Sidenote: I have promised myself to never discuss music with Gustavo again after finding out that he loves Rufus Wainright and despises Guster.) We had crepes for dinner. And for breakfast the next day. With Nutella. Lots of Nutella.
Which brings us to the present day, finally. After the crepes, I finished my blog from Switzerland and played Mario Kart with Eric. Tonight we will go to a restaurant that has a coursed menu. Most of the dishes have cheese, one of the courses is fondue. It can run, it can hide, but not from me. Tomorrow I will wash my clothes, organize my plans for the next couple of weeks, and go to the Museum of Beaux Arts.
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Aussie Anth
Anthony Castanza
2 blogs in 1 day? an early christmas!
Lyon looks awesome, a place that strikes my fancy actually. You can tell Johanna that I will crush her like a french frite in melee! bwhaha. She has no idea what she's up against. Oh fyi. I saw Harry potter the other day with Billy J and Kathy who were drinking "chinese tea" which the secret incgredient happens to be Captain Morgans.... Cabe and britt were also there, it was a very good movie, but VERY long. Almost 3 hours! Tomorrow I plan to go to Rent with Elyse seeing as im back in buffalo. I told you I wanted a souvignere from your travels...i decided i want that statue of the lady and 4 horses. :) gift wrapped please! I already hate your new good friend Gustavo. The main reason being RUFIS WAINWRIGHT!? CMON!!! *sigh*...