Lyon and Insomnia

This past weekend I visited Lyon with my roomie, Rachel, and Marie and Elisse. It was so much fun and it was a good break from Avignon!

Weleft on Friday afternoon because we did not have school as a result of the French Labor Day. Everything is seriously closed on this day except for restaurants and trains, but it was OK because we spent our time traveling. 

After freaking out and thinking that we did not have a room at the youth hostel because the lady was spelling Marie's name incorrectly, we saw our sweet duplex! It was so cute! I'm pretty sure I have stayed in crappier hotels. That night we walked around the city. It 

was so pretty. Lyon is the third largest city in France, but it manages to keep its charm and character. I loved walking along the Rhone here, and it was pretty close to our h

ostel.

The next day we woke up early to see all we could. We got these things called a city pass for only 15 euro to see all the sites of the city, a boat tour, and free metro/buses/trams. We visited churches (of course!), a miniature museum that was super cool, a silk museum that wasn't cool, and took a boat tour. The miniature museum had a bunch of doll houses. I think my mom would have really liked it. The museum featured the miniature replicas that are made for movies. I saw how the Overlook Hotel from the movie "The Shining" was made and also the replica of the Titanic breaking in half. 

We visited some shops along the streets including this colorful one that had these crazy toasters, graters, spoons, picture frames and nic-naks. I was going to buy Noel this cool grater for maybe her new apartment or wherever she might live someday because it looked like something she might like. But it was kinda expensive. However, I learned today that this store is also in Avignon and therefore I might still get it. I guess you had to be there 

and see how cute this store was.

After that I thought it would be a good idea to see the silk museum because Lyon is famous for its silk. Boy was I wrong! After walking 30 minutes up a huge hill, we were disappointed. It wasn't even a museum! We walked in and pretty much walked out. However, I guess I didn't have enough fun the first time, because I returned after I forgot my sweater there.

We ate some lunch on a statue in a park and then headed to the river for the boat tour. We missed the tour that we wanted to go on and signed up for the next one. In the meantime we visited the Resistance museum which was pretty sad and depressing. 

By the time the boat tour of the Rhone and the Seone (they rhyme!) came around, I was pooped. I think I fell asleep on the to

ur actually. But hey, I got to sit! That night we took naps and then headed out for a night on the town.

We started our evening in Old Lyon, it was one of my favorite sections of the city. We left the first restaurant because I'm pretty sure they knew we were Americans and therefore, felt no rush to serve us. It's OK, I did not want to eat a calf's head anyway! We decided to eat at a Mexican restaurant and boy, was it tasty! French Mexican is excellent. And for dessert, I ate the best chocolate pie ever. After one bite, I could have stopped it was so rich. After dinner we chilled along the Rhone and then headed to a bar for a few drinks. We called it an early night so that we could wake up early and ride bikes along the river.

HOWEVER, that did not happen. Because the bike renting machine did not like our credit cards=( I was very sad and it kinda ruined the plans of the day. We

 bought another transportation pass for the day and headed to the main attraction of the city, Notre-Dame de Fornievre (or something like that). You take this strange metro up this huge hill, they were called fourniculars I think. It was like a roller coaster, but very slow. The site from the hill was amazing. And of course the church was beautiful, but I've seen a bunch here. They sort of all look the same now. They were having mass, too. I couldn't imagine being able to go to some of these beautiful churches for mass. If we had churches like that in the US, I think more people would go to church.

After that we headed to the park, which we wanted to do on bikes, but no, we took the metro. It was a shame too because by the time we found the place, we only have 10 minutes to see it. It is called le parc de la tete d'or (the gold head park). It is huge and it had tons of bikers and runners. It would have been amazing to see on bike. Oh well. Perhaps someday I could return to Lyon and ride my bike along the river to the park.

From there we checked out of the hostel and headed home. Since then I have continued to battle with my lack of sleep. I have started to tremble and shake now because I do not sleep. I will go to bed at midnight and wake up at 12:30. It is horrible. When I DO sleep, I am terribly confused and dream that I am lost somewhere in Europe. When I wake up I have no idea where I am. I bought some new sleeping pills today, and I pray that they work. I can only take them for 10 days though. I wish I had some Tylenol PM and could take it when I need it. Oh well, once again. If worse comes to worse, I will visit the doctor. It is only 22 euro to visit the doctor here. How crazy is that?!?!?

Have a great week! I'm gonna be sittin' pretty here in Avignon in the 80 degree sun and Saturday I will be chillin' along side the Mediterranean. Try not to be too jealous. Though I DO have an oral exam on Wednesday! Yikes!

Au revoir! Bious!