Day 5 Travel Day
Bayeux - Paris - Dubrovnik

    I am writing this post a day late as I was so exhausted last night I couldn't manage to do anything but fall into bed. Typically I blog at the end of the day before I go to sleep. Well, now it is morning and I am enjoying my tea listening to the sounds of the town below setting up for the day. My editor (who is also my son Joe) advises me I have missed a few periods and made a few spelling mistakes in the blog so far. In my defense I am typically blogging after very long days and using a teeny netbook with a very small keyboard. Most annoying, there is a slash where the return key is which is causing me endless grief. However, I am glad he has such a keen eye and will try to be more careful!

     Yesterday was a travel day. We had to make it from Bayeux to Paris by train, and then catch a flight to Dubrovnik. Sounds pretty simple. I had pre-purchased tickets for the train to Paris and we had done reconnaissance on the best way to get to the train station. Step one went very well. We had such a hard time on our transfer out of  Paris a few days previously so we did extra reading and this time had much more time to find our way. Unfortunately, events in Paris confounded us once again. We knew which way to go to transfer from Gare Lazare to Gare du Nord, however, it did not work out as planned. We had to leave Gare Lazare to walk to the RER station. Check. Unfortunately we could not find a way into the station. We walked some very long blocks all around but could only find an entrance that was not allowing you to down into the station due to maintenance, you could only come out. We did find one entrance but you already had to have your ticket. There were no machines to buy tickets and no Tabac that we could see (you can typically buy tickets at the Tabac). We decided to try to find a metro station. I had my phone out by this time but it did not show any metro stations close by. We decided instead of walking in circles (while carrying very heavy backpack suitcases), it would just be best to walk to Gare du Nord. You may be asking "Why didn't they just grab a taxi?". Unfortunately, you have to be really careful in Paris on where you get a taxi. In the state we were in, I didn't think we would be very lucky. So, walk it was. It was about 2.5 km. walk (with the heavy packs). So busy and hot. On the way we saw a metro station...sweet relief. Unfortunately you could only enter if you already had a ticket. Foiled again!. So we ended up walking the whole way. Did I mention that we were very hungry, hot, and tired by this time?

     We finally saw the station....sweet relief. Food, toilets, luggage storage, heaven!  Walking up to the station, we were met with an overpowering smell of urine. Now, we have been in train stations all over Europe and they definitely are some of the seedier parts of the cities, but this smell was something else. We got inside and decided to purchase our tickets to Orly Airport before grabbing lunch. Another adventure but we did finally manage it. We decided to grab lunch, Joe spotted a Five Guys Burgers and Fries. YES! Headed there to order and Joe went to find a washroom.....and a new adventure begins. Not. One. Washroom. There are 2 in the station but one was closed down and one was being blocked by protesters. So, biggest and busiest train station in Europe and no washroom. And, no washroom in the restaurant. We decided to quickly eat and go find a washroom outside the station if we could. We went across the street to Burger King. You had to buy something, and then show your ticket to the security guard to get upstairs where the washrooms were. Of course we did just that. We decided at this point we just wanted to get out of Paris and get to the airport, after asking directions a few times in the station, made it to Orly Airport. I think I have had my fill of Paris. Too confusing, too hot, too busy.

    Flight went well and we landed in Dubrovnik on time. A little stress trying to use the ATM but finally got some cash, bought shuttle tickets, and hopped on the bus. Our apartment host had given us quite detailed directions and they were 'mostly' accurate. We ended up getting off at the first stop when we got to Dubrovnik old town as instructed. Unfortunately, this was not the right one. Lucky for us the apartment we rented was quite close to where we were dropped off and we made it to our accommodation. We have been very fortunate in our accommodations on this trip. Our apartment in Dubrovnik did not disappoint. It is extremely central, is on the second floor,  is two levels, has two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning, and laundry. Well, a washing machine anyway. You hang your laundry out the windows on drying racks. I intend on doing this today!

     We followed our typical routine, dropped off our luggage and went out in search of a snack and a market to purchase breakfast items. The old town is very busy but beautiful. At 9:30ish p.m. it was still 27 degrees. We found some yummy spiced sausage wrapped in bread.....kind of a big pig in a blanket. They reminded us of the ones we ate in Copenhagen six years ago that we still talk about. We also found a tiny market that had all we needed. Aside from the main street, the 'Stradun", the streets are more like little alleys. We went up one that I initially thought was an entrance to a restaurant but it was actually a street. Down each one are little shops and restaurants, I can't wait to explore. Mark found a little beer store and bought some local craft beer...it was quite tasty.

     Back to the apartment and to bed. Well for just a travel day yesterday was pretty eventful. I am going to go see about breakfast. One thing, no coffee maker here. I emailed our host and he said the coffee is so good here that grabbing one from a cafe is a much better idea. No big plans today, we'll see where the day takes us. I think a swim......

Views From Bus

Apartment:

Pics I took leaning out apartment window!!