Day Nine -- Lyon - Paris

Today is transition day from the AmaDagio in Lyon to the AmaLegro in Paris.  There are about 20 of us making the switch.   We are dropped off in Lyon to walk around for a couple of hours before having a cooking class -- then boarding the TGV (fast) train for a two hour ride to Paris -- then a short bus ride to the AmaLegro docked on the Seine.  We were not pleased with the transition -- and will use our words when we fill out the evaluation forms at the end of next week.

Disembarkation from the AmaDagio is 9:00 am after  verifying our luggage is all in place for loading onto the bus.   We are dropped off with a guide in Bellecoure Square in Lyon to visit the farmer's market or just walk around until 11:30 when we are scheduled to have a cooking class.  The only issue is that it is raining and we were not told that we would be "left" to our own devices for two hours so several people didn't have jackets or raingear.  Patte and I are prepared with our hooded LL Bean jackets -- Dave and Phil less so.

After a walk through the market where the vegetables and fruits are abundant and beautiful -- Phil takes off on his own -- Patte, Dave and I stop at "Pomme de Pain" for a coffee and pastry then Patte and I take a  browse through the shops.  We bump into Phil  -- who is undaunted by the drizzle -- we watch a movie being made in the middle of the square and soon enough it is 11:30.   "In Cuisine" -- the shop where our cooking class is scheduled -- is just on the perimeter of Bellecoure Square -- we are happy to get inside where it is dry and warm.

Cooking classes were held in two groups with a separate chef for each of three courses:  Beef Bourgononne -- Salmon Roll-ups --  Brioche with Pears.   It was a lot of fun -- each of the three chefs had their own style -- everyone had a job -- the dishes were simple and delicious -- recipes were provided ---- we could not ask for anything better.

Now it is off to the train station for the TGV to Paris.  Rachel has about 94 people to get on the train -- a group going to Paris for the weekend and our group changing ships.  All the groups meet at the train station and are able to get on the train early -- we've  been given the train car number and our     seat numbers so we board without issue.  

Our group sit the same area of the train -- all seems fine until people get on the train with tickets to seats that some of our group have taken.  We have no tickets -- just the information given to us by Rachel.  Luckily -- Patte, Dave, Phil and I are not approached but at least half of our group had to find other seats.   Apparently Rachel was sitting in another car with the folks going to Paris with her.  She never came to find us to see that all was well.  By the time the train left everyone had found a seat and we were off.

Arrival in Paris at Lyon du Gare is about 4:00pm.   We see Rachel in the station and are met at our train by Michel holding a sign: AMALEGRO.     Michel is not sensitive to the needs of some in our group who move a little slower -- he leads the way to the buses much too quickly and by now we are all watching out for each other.  This is the first black mark against Michel.   Next comes the loading of the luggage.  Luggage for 94 people is on the platform next to the three buses -- our group's  luggage has green tickets.  Phil and I have three pieces -- two large and one carry-on all with four wheels.   I can only see the two large pieces.  As I wander through the maize of bags looking for my other piece -- Michel instructs me in a most unpleasant tone to get on the bus -- everything will be loaded.

Well -- everything was not loaded.   Upon arrival at the AmaLegro -- two bags are missing: my bag and one other.  After disbelief on Michel's part -- and an insulting attitude that I must be mistaken --phone calls were made and the bags were found at the Paris hotel of the other group.  The bags arrived by taxi before we departed Paris at 10:00 pm.

   Our rooms are the same -- but a little more efficient use of the small space.  We have a nice dinner sitting in the same table position as we did on the AmaDagio -- such creatures of habit are we?

A long day but we are on board -- well fed -- and ready to get a good night's sleep.

Thanks for Reading!