Day 13: Prague to Beaune

The alarm rang VERY early. I went to the lobby to meet the driver and the men on the reception desk came out with a shopping bag(!) with my “breakfast box.” There was too much, so I unpacked it and gave it to the men who looked exhausted at the end of the night shift. I kept a sandwich, apple and piece of cake (of course).

It took about a half hour to get to the airport. Check in was easy, the guy behind me in security had a new hip, too.

I had awhile to wait so found a cafe, bought a cappuccino and sat down to look at the runway and eat my sandwich. It was white bread, ham, cheese, tomato and lettuce with mayo. I ate about half.

The gate agent had me wait with her while the flight boarded and boarded me last.

When I bought the ticket back in January, it was about $60. extra to go first class. I treated myself.

I was the ONLY one there. Nine empty seats and me.

The flight attendant was lovely, immediately gave me water and a wet wipe. When we were in the air, she gave me a selection of food; I told her to give me her favorite. I received a club sandwich, turkey, cheese, sliced hard boiled egg, tomato and lettuce on 3 slices of toast (cold) with the crusts cut off. Also a fruit bowl, coffee, orange juice and a Swiss chocolate bar. I had half the sandwich, coffee, juice and put away the chocolate for later.

The flight to Geneva was about an hour and 20 minutes. You could see the Alps, first lower ones, then the glorious snow capped peaks. It was beautiful.

The nicest shock came after landing. We parked at a terminal on the tarmac. I was the first one off, a lady met me, took my bag and escorted me down steps to the ground where I saw buses waiting. Not for me! She led me to a big van, introduced me to the driver and off we went to the terminal.

That’s the way to travel. Of course this was because they had in my record that I needed assistance. And it was the first flight where I actually had assistance!

You take the train from the lower level of the airport right to the Geneva central train station. I had to go to a large office where I was given a ticket and waited in front of a board until my number went up. The agent told me to get the first class ticket to Lyon because the train would be crowded and I would be unable to get a seat. For the extra 10 bucks, I thought it a good use of my money.

The train was crowded, and I think many of the people in my car had not paid the extra fare, like kids with backpacks. But no one ever asked for a ticket.

In Lyon I had to go to a ticket machine to purchase my ticket to Beaune. I was very proud of myself since all the instructions were in French. No problem.

Again, about $10, extra for first class. I had time so I found the toilette which needed a euro for entrance. Then back out to find a kiosk to buy mints with a 10 euro note and get the proper change. At least the toilette was clean!

You wait in a crowded area where everyone is looking up at a board with all the trains listed. Mine had Dijon as the terminus so I waited until they put up the track number, then surged ahead with everyone heading towards Dijon.

Easily done.

I must say that everyone I met was very kind, someone always offered to take my bag down steps or on the train.
My landlady for the Airbnb picked me up at the train station and drove me to the apartment. It is 5 minutes from the center of town, up a steep staircase. The apartment is very nice and air conditioned.

I walked into the center of town, tried to get my bearings. I found a café among a zillion cafés with tables on the sidewalks. I asked what to order and the reply was “boeuf Bourguignon” of course. It came immediately, a shallow bowl of beef soaked in wine and a few boiled potatoes. Very good.
I got a little lost trying to find my way back to the apartment, but a gentleman set me straight. I actually passed it!

I just put in a load of laundry, I’m going to get organized a bit, and then I am going to bed!

Love,
Lynn