Just "hanging out" in Lyon

People often ask us what we do while we’re in Lyon.  We usually answer that we just “hang out.”  So what does that mean?  Well, here's what we've done last Friday through today as a sample…

A View of Lovely Lyon

                Friday – Still jet-lagged.  Walked over to a restaurant near Place Bellecour  to meet Roger, Dominique, and Dominique’s brother, Gerard, for lunch.  It’s always exciting the first time in each visit when we walk from our apartment, across the Rhone, and into the center of town.  Lyon is a very vibrant, picturesque city! 

Here we are with Angeline and Philippe some time ago.
 

                Saturday – Breakfast across the street at Vitenature, our very favorite boulangerie owned by our friends, Philippe and Angeline.  David and Roger were going bike riding later in the morning.  (Angeline reacted in mock horror when she heard this – she’s seen David after less successful bike rides.)  While David and Roger were out, Dominique and Anna went to the neighborhood open-air market.  (A small neighborhood square jammed with booths selling just about everything.)  Then we had lunch at Roger and Dominique’s and enjoyed some of the food purchased that morning at the market.

                Sunday –Went up to Croix Rousse, an area up the hill to the north in Lyon, where merchants have a “braderie” once or twice a year.  At a braderie, merchants have stalls in front of their shops and feature some of their inventory at bargain prices.  A fun experience whether you buy something or not.  Then down to an English Pub in the old part of Lyon for lunch, again with Roger, Dominique, and Gerard.  Why an English Pub?  Roger wanted to try it - food was disappointing, though. 

                Monday – Breakfast at Vitenature.  Went to Carrafour, a super-marché that puts Fred Meyers to shame, to get groceries, etc.  (We DO eat at home occasionally!)  Otherwise, a lazy day.

                Tuesday – Went to our Discover France class at AVF (the organization for expats and returning Frenchmen).  We’ve been going to this class when we are in town for three years now.  It’s a great way to learn about France (all in French, bien sur!), especially since Andrée-Anne, the “teacher,” is an ex-Geography teacher and now a friend.  Had lunch nearby at La Ficelle, one of our favorite cafés, with friends from the class. 

La Ficelle - only it was packed as usual when we were there.
  We love to sit outside for lunch!

                Wednesday (today) – Met Estelle, our “French daughter,” for lunch near the end of the new T5 (tramway) line.  Fun to catch up on what’s new at "chez Neveu" and also enjoy a bus and tram ride on a lovely day.

So there you have it.  Next time someone asks us what we do here, and we say “just hang out,”  you’ll be able to fill in the blanks.

We’re Back in Lyon

We flew non-stop from Seattle to Paris then hopped on the TGV (train) and arrived in Lyon two hours later.  Our flight was as good as trans-Atlantic flights get; we even got in over an hour early thanks to an impressive tail wind.  The only negative was that Anna left her little cloth embroidery bag on the plane.  The project in it wasn’t a really special one, but the bag contained all her embroidery needles, embroidery floss, and, most importantly, her special, handy-dandy needle threaders and special, airline-approved thread cutter.  Annoying, to be sure, but not a biggee in the overall scheme of things.

We both noted how familiar everything felt – Lyon is definitely feeling like a second home.  As soon as we were semi-settled in the apartment, we went across the street to Vitenature (our favorite boulangerie) to say hello to Phillipe and pick up something light for dinner.  So nice to see him again and also nice to be greeted so warmly(bises for Anna and hand shake for David).  We connected with Angeline and their amazing helper, Steffie, at breakfast the next morning.  Those French pastries are soooooo yummy!

Later David suggested we have lunch at Grain de Sel, a “mom and pop” restaurant nearby.  Their specialty is crepes although they do offer other menu items.  Anna especially enjoys their cider.   Again we were greeted and welcomed warmly - big smiles, handshakes, and welcomes in both French and even carefully-spoken English. 

Today we had lunch with Dominique and Roger (our good friends and landlords) and Dominique’s bother, Gerard.  It’s so nice to see them again!  David and Roger immediately set up a bike ride (local) for tomorrow morning.  Dominique and Anna will have some coffee and go to the open air marché in the little square near their apartment.

Wow!  What a way to start to our latest visit!  We’re definitely back into the swing of things.  Now, if we could just do something about that jet lag…