While sitting on the train traveling from Avignon to Paris many thoughts are running though my mind. It is 1:45am and my loved ones are sleeping. I wonder how many days it will take us to adjust and reenter PDST? Hopefully, the one night in NYC will give us a brief head start on that.
About the train: I am not sure if I mentioned this before but we purchased the 2nd class Senior SaverPass. This pass is for 2 or more people traveling together. One does not need to be a Senior to by this pass but the price is a little lower if you are a senior, if I recall correctly. Of course this works well for us because all our travel has been together. However, in making our reservations after buying the pass we were unable to book 2nd class from Paris to Perpignan and had to pay the difference (E$114. I think it was). Keeping this in mind I should have made the reservation sooner. In retrospect I believe the 1st class pass would have cost less than the one upgrade. The advantage of the 2nd class pass is you travel with mostly locals. The advantage of the 1st class pass is larger seats and more leg room, fewer families with children (sometimes loud and unruly), and better ventilation or use of A/C at a higher level. Now understand, 2nd class is not bad, just not as nice. I am a bit concerned about the number of people who are coughing, sneezing, and blowing their noses. In addition, we have felt that if is enjoyable to look out the train, view the countryside, and see the area. In reality on the high speed trains (TGV in France and yet another newer name I don't recall) the train is within slopes or walls most of the time so you really don't see a lot. Photographs are almost impossible. I say this to remind myself that when/if the opportunity arises it would be beneficial to use a couchette (sleeping car) for a long distance between some cities or countries to also save the price of a hotel room.
About renting a car: Driving is not at all difficult in France. The traffic circles are a joy and no challenge at all. They are clearly marked and one only needs to most importantly know what city direction one wants as the names are prominently listed whereas the route numbers seem to be somewhat of an afterthought. I am not sure we would rent a car again--depends on our age and ability when we come again. It might be more enjoyable to hire a local guide with a car or book a few individual tours to outlying areas.
About Group Travel: (Rick Steves groups anyway) The advantage of group travel with a nice, energetic, friendly group with a terrific guide is when/if you get in a bit of a travel funk you have all of that "fun" going on around you and it perks you up. Plus, who wants to be a dud or a grump in front of others, but of course we can do that when it is just our spouse! Looking forward to other group adventures! However, we also like being on our own because we can decide how long to stay and look at one thing or another and move at a slower pace. A balance of both is good.
The news here: We so enjoy the world news we receive here. Of course little of it is about the US but we are learning so many new details about other countries. Even our World News at home is not so informative. In two days Poland will celebrate the solidarity election and move that was the beginning of the end of Communism. Calling this the "Autumn of Change" and many specials to be shown. It would be interesting to watch these programs. There was a man about our age making some comments; he said that before 1989, all one could buy was vinegar and mustard unless you "knew someone" who could procure other items. So of course he fells life is better even though it is still a struggle. I think many in our country have no idea how bad things could really get for the US with the debt we are in and being so deeply in debt to China and other countries.
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