While Mark was testing the medical practices of the American Hospital of Paris (excellent by the way,) the rest of the party was enjoying the City of Light. What can be better than Springtime in Paris? Sounds like a great song title. Since Glenda and Deb had been to Paris some 20 times, they were on their own, although Deb, a saint in the making, kept close to the hospital area. Glenda went wandering in the morning while Jeff joined the other four on a Paris bus tour, hitting the highlights. Jeff had been once before, Howie and Lee had accompanied Deb and Mark and “participated” in the infamous burning of the Notre Dame a few years back (see previous Paris posts of prior years) Ann had not been since she was 15 years old and probably had other things on her mind than tagging with her parents. Don was a Paris virgin!
The bus tour was very enlightening, hitting all the landmarks and a few of the lesser known spots.
The Sorbonne University of Paris for example is not necessarily on every tourists list of top sites. However the Arc de Triomphe, Tour Eiffel, and Shakespeare & Company books almost always make the list and do not disappoint. The restoration of Notre Dame, while still underway, has brought back the amazing nature and artistry of this iconic Paris landmark.
Dinner at the restaurant recommended to Howie by the hotel Concierge did not disappoint all diners, particularly those who chose flaming duck or sirloin beefsteak. However the chopped sea bass and mashed potatoes stuffed into a pita, although different, was not such a big hit. The wine was good, some may have over indulged but a great and grand time was enjoyed by all. The dessert sorta of made up for it as did the free open bottle of Calvados the waiter left on the table.
The next day Glenda and Jeff struck out on their own for a self guided tour, taking in the famous Metro underground system while visiting the Parc Monceau with Deb before she headed to the hospital. This park was lovely and picturesque in every direction. Ann, Don, Lee and Howie headed for the Musée d’Orsay for a day of Impressionism and lunch at the museum. Everyone compared distance walked the evening while waiting for the UBER to show up and take the group (minus Mark who had been coerced into another day at the hospital) to the Bateaux Parisian Dinner Cruise at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It was a late dinner for all but everyone came through in their own way and we had a ball. Lots of champagne and wine and great desserts. The scenery was wonderful too!
Saturday night was also “set out the luggage” night for our crew, as the luggage truck was leaving at 6:00 AM. Our group was due in the Rochester Hotel dining room Sunday morning for pick up of a box breakfast, universally reviewed as tasteless both in style and ingredient. Onward to the coaches for a head count and trip to the TGV. The headcount was a bit disjointed as two (Mark & Deb) were missing, and two names from another group were not on the list. Finally sorted, they were off to the Gare de Lyon train station for the two and one-half hour trip to Lyon. Scenic countryside at upwards of 225 kph through rolling French farms and villages before arriving at the gourmet center of France - Lyon. ( Recently un-seated by Marseille, Lyon had been the second most populous city of France.)
The troops were herded onto another coach for what they were told would be a 45 minute ride to the ship. Luckily the driver was not a native English speaker and, 4 to 5 minutes later the coach arrived at the dock. All were piped on board and assigned their cabins. While luggage was distributed to the cabins, lunch was served in the dining room. In the afternoon, the Hosfords and the Needelmans took an offered walking tour of the Lyon area where the docks were located, while Glenda and Jeff struck out for the Resistance Museum and an in-depth look at the French Resistance movement during WW II.
Back from their strolls all repaired to the lounge for a beverage and a rest. Meanwhile, Mark & Deb had arrived and the now intact group of eight joined the rest of the passengers for an hour long mandatory safety and discussion with the ship crew. Then on to Dinner, and what a dinner it turned out to be. There was plenty of wine available, multiple bottles on sample, and an amazing chef’s special for this evening that 7 of the 8 chose, a Salade Lyonaise followed by braised boneless beef ribs and swirled potato cakes with asparagus. For dessert a cherry filled clafute. Mark, still a bit on the mend, chose a sweet potato soup spiced with curry and followed by a mushroom ragout and puréed potatoes. The evening ended on a quiet and filling note. All crept into their cabins for a well earned rest.
