TUESDAY till SUNDAY

WE took a train from Interlaken ,Switzerland to Dijon ,France.We again saw mountains and agricultural land as we wizzed by.We were back in Europe and my cell phone worked again….but not perfect.

Anyway,Dijon was meant as a break after one month,regroup and lay out out plans for the next 2 months.It may sound simple,but lining up train schedules,accommodations,flight schedules was complicated.Any reservation requires a phone number that they can text with a code to verify you are human.Once you identified as Canadian ,they expected a Canadian (01) number.They would not except our current SIM card numbers,so when we got to the point of wishing to submit for a reservation,we were not able.I still have hair on my head,but it took 2 hours with emails,texts,and translating responses with our apps.

We had great accommodations in an old building and third floor walk up.There were a cat and dog in the court yard and followed us in the building.They both looked well fed,so must have belonged to someone.

We did some wandering in our neighbourhood,again in the old city with cobblestoned streets and labyrinth of them.The building were ancient.

The city also has a Notre Dame Cathedral just down the street.The large expanse of building that must have once been a large parish,now sadly reflects the state of the Catholic(and many others) church world wide. We decided to go inside to visit the church….Saturday afternoon and a wedding in progress.They wedding guests were all up in the first few pews.We sat at the back for a bit.I am not sure what the priest was saying to the couple,but it was serious and rapid French

In the centre of the central court yard was a Merry go Round,in regular motion without charge.

On Friday and Saturday the old City becomes a city market with all kinds of goods and chattels.

Michael and I did find a great little pastry and coffee shop( not Starbucks) and sat on the open air balcony and watched! And they had lemon curd tarts…finally.

We did sample a few wines…in Burgundy there are few whites,so I was obliged to drink white from Corsica.Dijon is known for Beef Bourguignon and a gingerbread dessert.So having researched the local and close with great reviews,we headed off to a local Brassier Le Bourgogne.It was the best that we had ever had.Then came the dessert: a sponge cake bottom with a currant mouse with tiny merengue kisses,thin piece of chocolate on the side,toasted gingerbread slices on the sides and a small syringe of a liqueur you could put over should you wish.It was one of the neighbourhood restaurants that was full as we left…usually a good sign of the quality.

Michael and I got one more set of SIM cards from Orange,and finally some clarity from the staff.We commiserated with a young girl and her Mom.She was coming to Dijon to do a Masters in Wine marketing.She was also trying to get WiFi and a SIM package.We were all struggling with the language with the staff.She was very confused when they told her to go to a Tabac.Unlike North America,these stores sell cigarettes,candy and SIM cards..a place to buy top ups.

I had finished all my English novels and used my computer skills to find a store to get some new ones.It was 2 minutes from our apartment.She was an expatriate from USA who had an English book store of second hand books.She had organized an English book club with other expatriates.I found 2 novels and am now ready for more trains and the beaches on the Amalfi Coast.

And I will end with an interesting historical plaques on one of the churches

So tomorrow will be a train ride to gay Pari(s)and a rendezvous with Margo and Carman!!Can’t wait to see a familiar face