What I did on my spring vacation - Part 1

Hi, LeeB. here with a non-trivia contest blog!

I'm an Anglophile and an Europhile and so every spring, I head off across the pond to explore to my heart's content.  This year's trip started with a flight to London, a sleep over, and then a quick flight to Bordeaux, France the next morning. 

Day 2 - London to Bordeaux

But the flight to Bordeaux almost didn't happen.  A wildcat strike in France started after midnight.  Once I got to Gatwick Airport, I found out that all flights going through French air space, including flights to Spain and Italy, were up in the air. 

After waiting in the line for BA customer service a few times, all of a sudden everyone started moving.  The strike is over!  Hurray!

Once in Bordeaux, I checked in at my hotel, the Majestic, and then headed out to explore.  I was walking along the riverfront (see photo below) with pretty much everyone else, just acquainting myself with the layout of the city and enjoying the day. 

I also made my way inland to the main shopping area.  Found a grocery store, Champion, in the new mall. Good thing I had my shoulder bag with me as the store didn't provide free bags.  Bought bread, cheese, bananas and shampoo.  There was an open modeling call for Elle magazine at Galleries Lafayette department store. Lots of would-be models were on hand.  But I decided to head back to my hotel.

My hotel room faces a quiet street and I have two faux balconies. The bathroom is very prettily tiled and the carpet (see photo below) had a music score design.  The tv is a flat panel computer type and, as usual, CNN and SkyNews are the two English language choices. The room is very clean and neat.

Day 3 Bordeaux

The good news is that the strikes are over; the bad news is that I was searching for something in my shoulder bag while I was out and about, took out stuff and forgot to put my phone back in. A lady called a friend of mine so hopefully she will call me at my hotel.

Yes, I was obviously a loser.

Today started out raining and I was none too pleased; also many museums didn't open until 2 pm so I couldn't hang out there. I went to one of the famous churches in town and then took a tram ride and then went to the archaeology museum. Whilst there, the rains stopped. I went back to the church (see photo below) to climb the bell tower -- "ai yi yi" said my legs going up and going down.

Had lunch at Quick with the locals though the Coke machine wasn't working; had oj instead. Then I spent a couple of hours in the Jardin Publique and took a lot of photos of swans and flowers. Took the tram to the train station to check on times for possible day trips if the weather cooperates; it is raining again now.

The temps are warm.

Also, I continue to blend in with the locals as people keep asking me questions or for a light.

Day 4 Bordeaux

Believe it or not but I had several day trips planned for this part of my vacation but the weather all over France has been icky so I've only hung out in Bordeaux. Not really keen about traipsing around a new town in a thunderstorm.

Today started off with -- wait for it -- rain!

I decided to visit a chocolate shop first to buy a friend's mom chocolate truffles. The shop did not open until 10 so I went to Eglise Notre Dame. As we all know as tourists, churches are nice, and usually free, sightseeing.

As I entered the church I realized a mass was in session so I took a seat near the back. I saw people lighting candles and placing them on what I thought was a casket but then there was singing and a collection plate so I figured I was wrong.

The mass was quite nice, maybe because it was in French. The lady who led the singing was very entertaining; she would use hand signals even when she was singing a solo. The only hymn I recognized was Amazing Grace (albeit in French) but one song was sung over and over so I almost was able to remember the words to sing along but didn't.

At the end of the mass, four men came in from the back -- to carry out what was indeed a casket.

After that I went to Champion for food shopping as the store is closed tomorrow. I picked up another 2-pack of some pastry with chocolate chips -- they are yummy!

Then I went to the chocolate shop which was open and got a small box of truffles. Hope my friend's mom likes them.

I went back to the hotel to drop off my shopping and then decided to explore the area north of my hotel. Of course it started raining again. I ducked into another church -- mass in session! At least it wasn't another funeral I was intruding upon.

Explored some of the antique stores nearby and then it started raining heavily. Went back to my hotel for lunch and watched some telly and then decided to take the tram to visit the botanic garden (see photo below) which is located on the opposite bank of the river. Of course it started raining again but the sun came out and has been out since. Yay!

Not sure if I will do a day trip tomorrow as it is Sunday and the rail schedules are lighter than usual and the forecast is for -- yep -- more rain.

Day 6 Bordeaux

The internet cafes were closed yesterday as were most of the stores. So I did more walking around and taking photos as the sun was out early. Rode the tram to the Bordeaux Lake which wasn't much so headed back to town and ate lunch and watched the French Open on tv. I LOVE tennis!

Today I did some more walking around and printed out my boarding pass for tomorrow's flight to Gatwick. I finally found Monoprix and bought an adaptor so I can charge my phone later. Will buy lunch and watch more tennis.

Managed to see the Cannes film festival awards ceremony live. Milla Jovovich had a great dress on. The presenters came down the stairs with a diploma but deferred to Sean Penn to announce the winners. Strange ceremony but no commercials.

Everyone seemed to be carrying bouquets yesterday. Not sure what the occasion was but the florists did a bang up business.

Part 2 (Bordeaux to London to Doncaster) to follow soon! 

tags: lee  travel  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati