It's Thursday evening here in France. I've not blogged since we arrived.... we've actually been quite busy, and when we aren't busy, we find ourselves on the beach or taking walks by the harbor.
Yesterday, we went to Marseille. The primary purpose was to visit a customer who lives there. We were also hoping to visit the city. As it turns out, I was incapable of driving in Marseille. Talk about a cluster!!!!!! "No rules driving" is pretty much how I describe it.
In fact, I was soooo scared, that after an hour of driving down the teensiest one-way streets with delivery trucks facing the other way, intersections where if you don't go for it and cut off someone, you will never go across, and let's not mention all the pedestrians who just step out in front of you with no warning.... oh.... and the mopeds that go whizzing by and around you forcing you to brake instantly.... well, we parked somewhere in a bad neighborhood and called to come get rescued.
Luckily, my customer and her husband were not far. They came to the rescue and Christian drove our rental car with Matt in the passenger seat, and I rode with Marjorie in her car. There is no way I was getting back behind the wheel in that madness!!!
We ended up going to the Port of Marseille and having a wonderful bowl of Bouillabaisse (a fish soup) which is the specialty there. Then we went to the beach for an ice cream, and finally, Christian led us back to the freeway entrance. We had to stop on the side of the road in the middle of a round-about to switch drivers. I felt comfortable taking the wheel back as I could see the freeway and knew the direction home.
Today, we drove along the sea coast road almost to St Tropez, but we had to return the car by 2PM, so we didn't go too far. Besides, Matt wasn't too keen (and neither was I) on repeating yesterday's experience. LOL!!!!
Tomorrow, we have slated a relaxing day on the beach for our last day here in Frejus. But the weather report is calling for thunderstorms.
Saturday, we have a travel day: first cab ride to the train station, then train ride to the Nice aiport, plane to Paris, subway to the train station, train to Vendome where my dad will pick us up. We won't get to their house until late in the evening.....
I'll write more when we get there.
-Fran
Bonjour Fran, Je ne savais pas que tu parlais français avant de l'apprendre sur ton blog sur ton voyage. Ta decription de Marseille est tout à fait exacte. J'ai vécu la même chose il y a 3 ans. Heuresement que mon mari avait déjà conduit en Afrique et qu'il ne craint rien. Moi, j'étais morte de peur!Je l'ai même surnommé Indiana Jones! Chanceuse, quel beau voyage! Et maintenant Paris, le rêve... Bon reste de voyage.
ReplyDeleteLouise, une cliente du Canada
What an experience ! and you didn't even try the "etoile" in Paris : most French wouldn't dare driving there.
ReplyDeleteTake it the good way : after all you had "fun" or at least something to remember and tell.
Hope you'll come back to France, and that you'll appreciate it then
Juliette
a French customer
Well Fran, French motorways are great, town driving not so great...I speak from experience, Bouillabaise is gorgeous if made right, mmmm I can smell it and taste it now.
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of your trip is fab xx