Day8 - Merci Isle'd Abeau, Lyon!!!

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The whole of last week has been an inexplicable twist. Too many changes, away from home and family for a long time. With all the tensions going on in the world, a human just doesn't feel safe anymore even though we are amongst our own kind. However, amidst all the quiet and calm of the bone chilling, windy town of Isle'd Abeau there lurks an eerie feeling when you step out for a walk or a ride on the bicycle as you you hardly find any. Very few cyclists in this part of France compared to the picture on my mind !!! The moment I the heard the news of the cap on the mileage on the use of the hotel's bicycle, I was truly dejected. My mind started to battle considering the possible options. Here were some I had on mind ::

1. Pre-pone the return to Bangalore so I could leave on Saturday morning. ( All my team members had left on Friday evening ;-) ).

2. A Ski resort in Grenoble. Fabulous!!! But it was 100 kms away and would easily take about 3 hours by bus due to terrain as told to me by the trainer who stays in Grenoble. About 6 hours of travel by bus would've been a new experience but not worth the time considering "prepaid" nature of the number of hours I have at my disposal...!! No suitable attire for skiing, unsure about the Ski resort's working hours and their terms and conditions, going solo for skiing for the first time and there would be hassles if something went wrong and no backup. So this option went out the window due to the factors which I just poured out. I'm sorry you had to hear the rant in my head but thats the way it happened... !!

3. Take a TGV to Paris and visit Eiffel Tower and travel back the same evening. However this was the expensive affair as the ticket one way costs about 5k INR and just under 3 hrs to cover about 500 kms. Again the travel factor and the precious hours counted. More so, I didn't want to keep my schedule tight to take the bus/train or any other mode in the nick of time when I don't know to complete a sentence in French. Rummaging for help is the last thing I want to do in the cold weather in the dark.

4. Visit Lyon by train (TER) and explore. Simple and short.

I'm happy in a way that the hotel denied permission to cycle beyond 10 kms because of many reasons. Firstly I got to travel in a train in Europe and experience how the reservation system works. Secondly I got to experience the whole new world of the underground Metro. Even the metro underground trains reach   good speeds of i think about 80kph though the stations are just a few kms apart. So here goes the account of today's voyage.

As per the time table provided to me by the trainer I was supposed to take any train between 7-8am and I missed all of them. What a great start !! I then went to the ticket machine and navigated my way but it simply wouldn't accept the world money card offered by my company. So I went to the ticketing counter and I could see a train (8:57am) pull in to the station and he asked me to take this train to go to Gare De Lyon Perrache. I tried to cross the over-bridge to reach the other side of the platform but the train left even before I could reach the top of the bridge. So I got back and took the ticket for the next train which was scheduled for 9:42am. An hour's wait and what was I to do with just a couple of other folks on this station? I walked about the platform for a few times and that killed about 20 mins and I soon heard the level crossing's familiar alarm ( all automated here) and I saw a train approaching and no sound only lights. My camera skills kicked in and VOILA it turned out to be a TGV. One of my dreams to travel on one. But I think I'm happy having just looked at one. There's a yellow line on platform and you should stay behind it if you don't want to get blown away off the platform. Thought this TGV wasn't on full speed it still was cruising a little over 150kph. A fashion parade of the trains and TGV would be one of the strong contenders :-). As a child I remember seeing this train in Childcraft (Similar to encyclopedia) and was just amazed by the very looks of it on paper.

A TGV parked at Gare de Lyon Perrache

Soon I saw another ter train heading to grenoble and a few more followed which I managed to capture on my All-in-one box, ( Nokia X6). Great phone with which I've managed to use the front 3G camera as a webcam to talk to my family, capture the pics with stunning clarity/color definition, used GPS when I got lost once and being a music phone it does its task fantabulously. I boarded my train which arrived exactly on time and I was at Lyon De Perrache station in half hour. I soon found my way out through a maze of escalators and levels and soon the first thing on sight was the bicycle stand. I wanted to stroll for a while before I took one so I set out exploring Lyon on Foot. How do I know which way to go? If you look a the map of the Station where I got off the train it would resemble a tiny peninsula. So I headed out to the river and it was a beautiful sight. I kept walking for about 2 hours and soon was confused as to how to get to the only place I had on mind "Saint Basillica de Notre-Dame Fourvier. A gentleman who was out for the morning walk was kind enough to help me get my bearings right and also mentioned that I could use the Metro which would be faster..!! It turned out that I was at the other end of the peninsula and had to trace back. But this time I went underground where I met a couple who were laughing at the ticketing machine just because it rejected the coins when they tried to obtain a ticket. With their help I managed to get a daily pass and also learnt how to use it. At the gate into a metro station there is a machine where you'll have to insert the ticket on the front like a credit card and it pops out from the top of the block and the gate opens. Phew..!! I'm very glad that I was able to get the metro plan of Lyon using which I could find my way without hassles. The only trouble I had was when I had to switch to the last metro station at Fourviere to reach the summit of Notre-Dame. Another gentleman on the metro helped me get to the correct path. I reached the summit by noon and captured some pics and here are some ::

With the intent of taking the bicycle, I tried to pick one at a few stations but it simply would accept the debit card so I dropped the idea of using the bicycle as I couldn't ask anyone else to pay because ::

1. There is a 150Euro security deposit which will be credited back to the bank once the bicycle is returned (minus the usage charges). 

2. There is no way to pay by cash !! (Probably due to point 1). 

There are shopping avenues on either side of the river on roads that run parallel to the river. I ended up buying some assorted chocolates and took some more photographs before disappearing underground for the Metro station which is right behind the Giant Wheel, at Bellecour.  I'm happy that I didn't end up wasting any precious time by taking any Metro in the wrong direction :-). I find myself putting smileys at the end of every statement as I suffer with ESUS (Excessive smiley usage syndrome. I did certainly see a lot of lovebirds in Lyon (if you know what I mean ;-). 

I decided to head back by 3 as I had to walk about 2.5kms from the Railway station La Verpelliere to my hotel. I could take a cab but you "See" the world by either foot or a bicycle and you'd notice that this gets reciprocated most of the times. Took the return train at 15:49 and reached the Verpelliere station by 16:19 and soon walked back to my hotel. There weren't any winds but the temperature drop at some places due to trees and I could feel the sting on my nose and the top of my ears. So I pulled up the Buff that I had over my neck to cover my face. 

The routine followed, logon to facebook/gtalk/gmail/skype so anyone could 'like' and 'comment' on my adventure. Spoke to my brother who, like a Radio jockey played the song "Phir se ud chala" from the bollywood movie Rockstar(2011). It was so refreshing to hear that just as I opened the windows of my hotel room. Sublime..!!! MTR masala rice, a pack of Lays chips n Coke.. !!! Life of a food conscious, vegan, Indian tourist in Europe!!  There were a lot of ready to eat stuff in the supermarket that I had visited earlier this week but I would have lost my senses by the time I could figure out which one I could eat. FOOD :: This has to be the one topic where I could rant forever. But, I've been happy with the change in the cuisine and with just cheese, pancakes and boiled vegetables (Legumes) I feel lighter and the tummy does have to do overtime. Checked out of the Hotel at 3AM and had a quick chat with Rafeeq/Rafiq (receptionist) about the people and culture. Took the cab " A 2010 Honda Accord and the speeds on the expressway 140kph. 20 kms covered in 15 mins. He talked about how he felt good while staying at London for about 6 months and I spoke about my experience with this Euro tour  and how I felt exploring LyonGot to experience a lot of firsts on this trip. I update this blog at the St.Exupery airport - Lyon, as I await my flight Air France 7651 to Paris and a connecting flight to Bangalore on AF192 (an airbus 340). A travel to future and a total of  ~12hrs of flight travel. I didn't feel any jet lag going back in time but I think I might experience jet lag with this return journey. ~5000 miles of flight lay ahead and I listen to the song  "Phir se ud chala" over and over again. What a beautiful feeling !!!

As the sun sets on this tour, I bid adieu to Villefontaine, Isle'd Abeau. A wonderful, superb, fantabulous memorable one !!!

Day7 - Adios HP Villefontaine !!

A week long grazing on the green pastures in the cafeteria I think I can see white/black/brown patches on me like the French cows !!! I haven't used the phone to talk to anyone ever since I've  been in France. And anyone that I talk to first is probably going to hear some cattle instead of the usual "conversation opener - Hello". 

A great disappointment came in as a reply to the email I'd sent to the hotel helpdesk enquiring about the bicycling to Lyon (~50km). The guests aren't allowed to ride more than 10 kms from the hotel !!! Firstly who would ? Only some crazy bloke like I might even think of attempting to do so. I've seen cars on the highway that has only the driver in it and no one else. Underutilized resources and we talk all non-sense about global warming, ozone blah blah..!!! But as the saying goes, if something doesn't go your way then there's probably something better waiting for you. Bid adieu to the trainer and the team as the entire team would return to their countries by the flights leaving tonight. Looked like I was the lone explorer immigrant over the weekend from the hotel. The trainer at HP was of a great help as I obtained the metro map plan of Lyon and the city tourist POI guide. So tomorrow morning its going to be a 2 km walk to La Verpillière to catch a train to Lyon. 
Some new stuff learnt today at the supermaket :-) :: 

1. Oignons  -- Onions 
2. Champignons -- Mushrooms
3. Concombre -- Cucumber 

Just an attempt at self portrait in the hotel room.. 

 
For lunch :: Cantonese rice, gherkins, broccoli, french fries, fruit salad and Apple Juice !!

A lovely coffee machine at office with superb options !! 

A serene sit out area with the right temperature like that of a greenhouse. ( outside office it is 6 Degrees C) :-)

Adieu HP Villefontaine

A 2.5km walk from hotel to the Supermarket named Casino adjacent to Cinema de Fellini...

A subway/underpass for bicycle/pedestrians. Sweeeet..!!!! 

Day6 - Broccoli and Sirocco..!!

Yet another lovely morning at Isle'd Abeau. My mind still is battling wildly as I can't decide the itinerary for the following Saturday. Some new things I've managed to observe/learn during this Euro trip ::

1. The usage of fork and knife. Mostly eat with the fork.

2. Hardly any use of the spoon.

3. Eat as silently as possible, without the noise from the porcelain plate and without water !!

4. Pedestrians have the right of way, followed by bicyclists when crossing streets. 

5. A coffee here is most likely going to get you a decaf or an espresso.

6. Almost any person you come face to face there's almost always a head nod with "Bon Jour".

Last night during a stroll, Dave and Dennis went ahead by a few metres I waited till the car would go by but the driver gestured that I could cross the road. A smile and a wave at this discipline. It certainly is something worth a mention as I can't see this happening back home !!! 

A breakfast routine follow this morning with a couple of pancakes, a tiny bottle of honey and a few slices of cheese. I headed out for a stroll and stood gazing at the horizon with the sun rising on the French motorway D1006. I can't help but mention again about the traffic and the disciplined driving. 

Timezone differences apart, the daily life seems to be on a 'pre-pone' mode. The breakfast time's between 6-8am and lunch at 12:30pm. Things seem to come by a lot earlier than normal. The menu for lunch looks like -- fried rice which resembled peas pulao, fanta, a rice+milk concoction with fruits for dessert and some boiled broccoli and carrots with some sprouts. The menu for non-veg looked quite enticing (just because I could see they were made of spice and some yummy looking gravy). Quite heavy that I skip dinner tonight.

The break of dawn on D1006.

Being a cyclist myself couldn't help but capture this ride.

Alfa Romeo makes some of the Beautiful cars and here's an example of one. Still waiting to capture a Brera.

Oh yeah here's the VW Sirocco :-). A beauty from the VW stables.

Day5 - Shopping day !!!

Bon Jour Monsieur as I hear it from anyone I see within Hotel Mercure. Another great morning in France..!!! Pretty darn cold and almost anyone human I spot resembles an old steam engine. A breath of fresh air in and a bout of steam out. Woke up 2 hours early this morning. Time to get have breakfast. Today the restaurant at Mercure was crowded. Time for pancake, dutch cheese and a small dose of berry jam and nutella. I meet my team mates back in office with their version of time well spent over last evening and almost all have a unified answer (Got drunk like a skunk). To be honest, I think I too was in a similar state but attributed to too much lemonade or double espressos !! However after shift David was kind enough to drop Dennis and I at our hotel. We quickly dumped our luggage to visit Decathlon after which we were to explore our options for diner. Dave was driving a rental car, a Citroen Picasso which was quite a peppy hatchback. About 10 mins later we were at Decathlon store in Bourgoin Jallieu. I headed straight to the cycling section while Dave and Dennis explored other sport areas. This was quite a big store almost twice as big as the one in Bangalore and Dave mentioned that the branch at Bron was massive. I ended up picking up an overshoe which I've been wanting for quite a while for ride during rains and keeping my feet dry. Dave didn't purchase anything and as I proceeded to the billing counter I was skeptical whether the membership card would work in another country and it did. It was a pleasant surprise. The search for the diner began. The car was parked at a parking lot near a church at #7, Place Carnot in Bourgoin. This was Dave's idea as he had been to this Italian restaurant (Couverts) during a visit last year. But we found out that almost all the restaurants that we managed set our eyes would open only at 19:00hrs and close by about 22:00hrs. With a half hour to spare we spent time roaming the shopping alley which is lined with stores. So good to see civilization after being in a place where there is hardly anything else apart from hotel on one side of highway and office on the other. I kept clicking away to glory with the X6 and time and again requesting Dave to click a few which he gladly obliged. A few snaps of cars followed and finally it was time to enter the restaurant and with the help of Dave who spoke French ( A great boon as I only know one word "Merci" meaning thank you) we were able to clarify the options available for me (A Vegan). It looked like Dave eats anything served to him on a plate. Only after a meal, does his inquisitve part of mind kick in to figure out if the dish was the result of a Bovine sacrifice or a smoked Gallus domesticus. A true example of a point n shoot as he just stares at the menu for a quick minute and points to an option and nods his head which the waitress reciprocates with the a lovely French accent (made cool by the tongue twisters and hisses). I order a Spaghetti and a pizza. Spaghetti resembled the curry noodles and the Pizza was more like a paratha with mexican sauce chilli and some local vegetable that resembles cucumber with mushroom and capsicum as toppings. I enjoyed the change in taste and after spending about an hour, Dave dropped us back to the hotel and he continued his half hour journey to his hotel.

A sight on the way to office... There's no one in it and the car is almost kissing the tarmac.. !! :-|

The "Mini Countryman"

A Nice chopper like Bike 

A Standard Mini Cooper used in "The Italian Job"

 The original Mini which truly is a MINI !!!

The Rental Citroen Picasso driven by Dave.

Dave Dennis and I heading to Decathlon on the French motorway B1008.

At Decathlon - Shopping at the home turf of this superstore

A Superb Bicycle Stand in the town of Bourgoin. 

France Ahh..!!!

Dave, Dennis an I await by a Church for restaurant to open  

The Italian "Spaghetti restaurant"

I already am missing my roadbike and I wish I had it here so I could explore more of this beautiful countryside. No more updates for tonight. Gotta catch some sleep before shift start in 7 hours :-)

Day4 - Trip report !!

The Second day to work -- Had set the clock to wake me up at 6 and it did its duty unlike I. Ended up extending the sleep  for 2 more hours till I realized that I hardly had time to even look at the restaurant for breakfast. Finished morning chores in 15 mins which reminded me of the song "Jame Raho" from the movie Taare Zameen Par. Reached office on time. New campus, new country, change in cuisine and bone chilling temperature. Work at new office, the welcome change in climate and food kept the mind bysy. By noon I already was fancying my chances of a visit to decathlon which is about 10 kms from Isle'd Abeau in a small town of Bourgoin Jallieu. A new friend added to the arsenal from Liverpool UK (David Malone). A very nice and well spoken gentleman. We thought of visiting decathlon together as David was driving a rental car and he would look for fishing related stuff and I'd opt for cycling accessories.

The visit had to be postponed for the next day as we saw a long line of cars towards the horizon on the highway D1008. So we bid farewell. David stayed at the Hotel Mercure in Bron as the rooms in Mercure at Isle'd Abeau were full.  So it was back to Dennis Hilverts from Netherlands to decide which way to head for dinner. We decided to take a taxi to a supermarket nearby which google indicated as a hotspot for restaurants. A visit only revealed a couple of kabab joints and a pizza corner. As there was a supermarket I ended up buying a good load of chocolates and some snacks to go with the MTR ready to eat packs that I'd brought along to keep me tummy happy whenever there was an emergency :-). 

No Euro-food tonight but time to relish the Masala Rice from MTR. Here's the combo :-)

 

   Dennis just outside the Supermarket as we await the taxi back to the hotel Mercure.

Dennis managed to call the reception to request a cab and here's what arrived, a Peugeot 607 and it was a comfortable cab but the fare almost doubles after 7 in the evening.

20 Euro's for about 4kms..!! No more taxi's for the rest of the stay here. Better to take the bicycle out  :-)

I eagerly await the dawn of 25th to enjoy the incidents, adventures and meeting new people that make life beautiful and meaningful !!!