Wednesday
For us it was another leasurely day. When we woke up James tried again to get debate information. He found a BBC channel where English was spoken. Most other channels were French of course but it was clear what the subject of discussion was on really all of them. You would be amazed how important it is to the Europeans what happens in our government. And there discussions are nothing like our discussions. Very interesting.
Eventually we were ready to go out for breakfast. This morning our breakfast is not included in the hotel since it is part of the one night we had booked extra (without it). Most of the other travelers will be arriving today after having left the US yesterday on the nightlight. Coming from many different states arrival can be at many different times.
We ended up in one of the many cafes around the hotel, the Tucan Cafe. The young woman was very friendly. I have changed my opinion about Paris and about French people. We are really enjoying ourselves. Most everybody speaks English and when you great them with a "Bonjour" they will be very friendly and helpful.
When we were approaching this place I had seen right away across from it a Carrefour supermarket. Of course we went in after our breakfast and look what I saw: they spelled German Zwetschgen "Prune Quetsche".
We also bought some beer and a bottle of wine and of course, since I had forgotten, a bag for 30 cents. Our hotel was not far.
In the corredor on the way to our room I could not help but laugh. The maid's card seems to be called a "chariot".
Since we didn't need any lunch we took our playing cards and went down into the lounge/bar area where they have comfortable regular hight tables and comfortable chairs. We each one a game. I had set the alarm on my phone because at 1:30 pm Sophie, our tour leader, was taking us on a little walk around the hotel area.
Of course she pointed things out like the huge statue on the plaza in front of us, how the Metro works, good restaurants and not so good, lots and lots of bakeries.
That walk didn't take very long but James and I decided to do a little more. Sophie had pointed out the bakery on the left with the awnings.
When we past it we had a look inside and decided to have a little something. It took us forever to decide. So many tempting looking things. Some very unusual. We also had a coffee which was very good and had opted to eat outside. There wasn't really much to sit inside. The other option would have been to take it to the room. Oh, no!
Oh no. In no time we were circled by so many bees or wasps or whatever they were that we really could not totally enjoy our treats. I was not afraid that one would sting me unprovoked but that I accidentally bite into one.
We finished our coffees while walking.
Sophie had mentioned a canal. We wanted to check it out. What a surprise. It was a lot of fun. The weather had also gotten a little nicer. The first photo was what we saw first. A kind of houseboat was in this lock and the waterlevel was being raised.
We watched for a while and then walked in the direction where the boat was going. There was a pedestrian bridge where we had a nice view.
Two basins needed to be filled until it was going underneath our bridge.
On the other side was another high bridge which was for pedestrians but also a flat one which was for cars. That one swung to the side for the boat (and another in the other direction) to go through.
This is the open bridge and I was amazed how patient the bicyclers and all were waiting to be able to pass again. It took a while.
Just when it was closing it for the traffic again to be able to open for a ship an ambulance came and still made it underneath the down-moving boom. A man on foot also run across but he was chastized by somebody to do that. We had our entertainment.
It was almost 4 pm when we were back at the hotel. In front of it were lots of people with little children. Sophie had explained earlier that the big red containers were filled with toddler type bikes and toys so the parents would brings the kids to play outside in summer instead of being in the little apartements.
At 6 pm we were supposed to be in a certain business room in the hotel for an orientation. Actually we are two groups in two group. On the ship we will be 63 travelers.
Sophie had powerpoint pictures and explained a lot.
At the end we all were asked to introduce ourselves. And after that we were having a glass of wine together.
On the way back to the room James and I had a look at the courtyard which is a bar type area when the weather is nice but there was also room for some nice games. Can you see the big chess game in the back on the right?
Ha-ha, out of our room window we can see the corner "patisserie" on the left where we had encountered the bees.
It was about 8:30 pm when we ventured out again for some supper. The menu was only in French but we could figure out some and the waiter was very nice too. James was a bit more hungry than me and was very happy with his dish. Mine looked gigantic but I ate mostly the filling which was something like a seafood salad.
Now back in the room we made ourselves comfortable for the night and I slipt under the cozy warm bedding and are writing this blog. Since I had only tap water at the restaurant ..... I am partaking now, ha-ha.
Wishing you all a good night and day tomorrow!
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