02 June Arles-Avignon-Paris

   We left Arles at our designated time and made it to Avignon in plenty of time even though we missed the TVG station as we drove into the city arriving at the city wall the first time around.  However, we drove around the wall, saw the signs for the TGV, and got back on track.  As we arrived there another couple about our age zoomed in, ran in with their car key, and then ran up the stairs luggage in tow to hopefully catch their train.  I am glad we had a realistic idea about our abilities and left with the idea of arriving one hour earlier than needed.  As it was we were unable to fuel the vehicle because each place we stopped did not have diesel.  One place that did have it required a card to access filling our tank, which of course we did not have.  They will fill it and charge us, I am sure that will be an eye-opener.  At any rate we arrived in plenty of time to use the restroom, have a cappuccino, buy a sandwich for the trip, and get to our area on the platform 10 minutes prior to departure without rushing.  The new TGV station here in Avignon is quite modern looking as you can see.  

  The train ride was uneventful.  We were glad we had a sandwich to split, chips, and a cookie for John that I purchased at the station as the the dining car is still unavailable due to strike.  There were a lot of children on the train or perhaps the few there were made it seem like a lot.  (this would be one reason to be in 1st class instead of second class for noise reduction)  These not-so-well-behaved children continually test the patience of their weary parents and their antics are only things we might enjoy from our own grandchildren.  Nevertheless, hilltop towns and quaint villages whisk by at 200+mph.  One does not have the sensation of traveling fast but when you see the freeways and know the cars are traveling 120 kilometers per hour then you realize your speed.  Paris is just 2.5 hours from Avignon, nonstop by TGV.   

   Soon we arrive at Gare de Lyon and it is a brief walk to Metro line 1.  However, we now tote a large bag of fabric and the blue tote full of souvenirs and other items so it does not seem so fast.  We are no longer the streamlined roll on board and one personal item travelers we once were.  At the end of the line we decided we would just get a taxi but each one that passed had occupants.  Eventually our bus # came by and he told us the appropriate place to wait to catch the bus in our direction.  We quickly crossed the street as the bus was waiting there and we boarded for the short ride to the Royal Regency.  There was a communication gap as we forgot what we wanted to say but fortunately a sweet young woman came to our rescue and told the driver where we wanted to get off.  From there is was a long block to the timeshare and we were happy to arrive.  They are friendly and nice but not overly helpful.  We were really ready for someone else to carry our luggage but they gave us a cart, which was fine as well.

   Our studio apartment is lovely and spacious, we even have a small table and chairs on the grass outside the patio door for our convenience.  It is so nice to have a kitchen and some space to put our things.  The bathroom and other areas are huge in comparison to our accommodations of the last few weeks.  We have a closet, sofa, mini table, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, etc.  Almost all the comforts of home.  We are shocked not to have WiFi and the Internet has not worked here in a month (per the man at the front desk).  Who knows when we will post our blog, though we have been shown two sites to walk to, it would take more time than we want to spend right now.  As I said the actual studio apartment is very nice and we will take pleasure in that.  The amenities, such as they are, are not so great other than that.  We would probably exchange and stay within Paris next time.  There is a pool table, but it has a hole and the sticks are not so hot with no tips per John as he already tested this feature. 

  After arrival we headed out to get groceries.  The first store was a slight disappointment but not knowing what the next would bring we purchased a few things.  We had to pay E$.03 for a plastic bag to carry the items in.  John took these things back to the apartment while I ventured on to the next grocery.  This one was much better and we got all our needed supplies; cold cuts, eggs, butter, oil, lettuce, fruit, bread, eggs, vegetables, etc.  We got a couple of steaks for dinner, which I managed to overcook, but we still ate them.  Dinner was a salad, steak with mushroom and zucchini (and bread).  Dessert was packaged cream caramel, which wiped away all thoughts of the over done meat.  The cream caramel was not as tasty as the ones Odette had but I could not find anything "high end" like that.  This was more like Pudim de Leite that we had had in Brazil.  Good nonetheless!  I was happy I bought herbs in Avignon as I opened and made good use of them here. 

   Of note we really enjoy the World News on CNN here.  It is much better than our World News at home, much more detail.  Right now Poland is in the midst of celebrating 20 years of freedom as in two days it is they will mark the 20th anniversary of the vote by the bloodless Solidarity Movement to wipe out Communism.  They are going to have several specials on TV about this.  I wish we could watch them.  Of course we recall Pres, Regan telling Mr. Gorbechev (sp?) to knock down the wall, but there was much more that contributed to that than the US intervention that we did not really hear about or I do not recall.  They interviewed a man about our age.  He recalled that before this time one could buy vinegar and mustard.  If one wanted more than that they needed to "know someone" who could procure other things.  We are so spoiled in the US and I wonder how bad things could get in the future?  I think we have no idea yet.