The Travels

So after leaving Boston we had a four-hour layover in Montreal, and the long flight over the ocean, of which we slept at most 3-4 hours.  Arriving in Charles-de-Gaulle, we had about two hours to get our luggage, find the train station and board our train to Lyon.  Luckily the airports have invented these cool items called baggage carts, because we had 7 suitcases and 5 backpacks, plus the food sacks that we were gathering along the way.  Ed and Julian found the train info, while Noah took the time to explore every nook of the waiting area, including each of our bags and their abilities to support a four-year-old in various states of balance. 

Waiting, still waiting.  The train is almost two and half hours late.  Finally boarding the train, we realize that we will miss the connecting train in Lyon.  Well, to be dealt with once we were there.  Dragging all 12 bags aboard, it is not quite clear where they should go, nor is there much time to decide.  The train left after just 2-3 minutes.  I had forgotten that part of train travel… the frantic on/off, never quite sure if you have everything.  After all of the long travels and the long waiting we all fall asleep on the train.  Suddenly I awoke, feeling like the train was going much more slowly.  “Ed.  Ed!  ED! Wake up, I think we are here.”

We woke up all three boys, desperately searching out where we left all 1200 of our bags, and stumbled our way to the end of the car.  As Noah finally realized that he was upright and expected to carry his backpack he shouted at the top of his voice (as many of you have heard his screeches), “Bad mama.  You are a bad Mama!”  Needless to say, this travel-weary, English-speaking family was more than a bit embarrassed.  A few comforting moments later, we were dragging all the bags off of the train, amazed that we had made it as far as Lyon. 

After a quick reconnaissance mission, Ed changed our tickets to go through Avignon.  Unfortunately we had to be in the main station to discover from which track the train would leave, and then dash off to the proper platform by the time the train arrived and then departed 15 minutes later.  Let’s just say that Ed and I got lots of opportunities from each of our children to practice all of our good parenting techniques.  Getting all of the children and bags up to the platform, Ed walked ahead to speak with the conductor about where we should board.  Julian followed, then Micah, so Noah and I were left behind to guard the bags.  As the minutes ticked down, it was clear that Noah and I would have to get the rest of the bags down to the train car, at least half-way down the platform.  “OK, Noah, you wait here while I drag these bags over there (10 metres away).” “OK, now Noah come over here to watch these bags while I go back to get the rest.”  “Well, if I don’t go back, you won’t have any clothes to wear, because that is your suitcase.”  We proceeded this way, 10 metres at a time, all the way to the rest of the family.  And, of course, we made it onto this train as well. 

This particular train conductor was quite friendly, and made sure that we were settled, all bags organized and that we were aware of when it was time to disembark.  He also found the next train conductor to help us board our final train, which came to the same platform (no bag-dragging, yay!) and only 15 minutes later.  We were all finally alert and aware of our surroundings.  Passing castles out the window, and tiled roof after tiled roof it was easy to start to get excited about out new digs. 

A short taxi-ride later, we met the proprietor of the apartment who brought us up to our 4^th floor apartment.  Stocked with a welcoming baguette, juice and bottle of wine, the apartment is perfect - just enough to keep us set for the year, but nothing more.  There are three bedrooms in interesting configurations… A single bed in a long narrow room off of the living room, two double beds in a large bedroom off of the hall, and two double beds held together with a full-size sheet.  Selfishly, Ed and I wanted the larger room with the nicer furniture.  Julian took the small room, so Noah and Micah are sharing the bed.  The first night they fell asleep holding hands, and they sleep most nights cuddled together.