Trip to France!! Woo Hoo!!!
Our main purpose is the World Cup soccer but we have built in plenty of time for sight seeing.
Saturday
We haven't been on an international flight in a bit so we splurged and got nicer than economy seating. It comes with access to the airport lounge, so we arrive early, hang out in the sweet lounge, and toast our trip with champagne. The nicer than economy seats are great and I totally sleep on our overnight flight into Paris.
We booked our first stay at the Best Western. Turns out to be a great choice as it feels more like a boutique hotel. There is a loofah in the bathroom, which turns out to be awesome because no washcloths in any of the other hotels. It was a long day so we hunker down in the room to watch soccer and get room service. Lovely fresh salad with local cheese, tasty salmon and of course wine :)
Love
We don't bother to see anything in Paris and just hop a fast train to Lille. Like 200 mph fast. Seriously fast and easy! Lille is having a cultural fest called Eldorado and has put up these amazing statues all over the city.
Music, readings, and dance are also set up for the whole month. Super impressed they went all in.
Monday we walk around Lille
We stop in the book store, game store, grocery store. Many places open late or not at all, Monday morning seems to be considered recover from the weekend time.
Love
Much of the decor feels (and likely is) from the 60s. Elegantly spare.
In one way they are thoroughly modern
You can put your candles on your credit or debit card! They do still take cash, but I can see how this is easier all around even if the signs look out of place.
Fantastic desserts at Meert-details in the food post. For dinner we repeat the room service since the food is so good!
Tuesday
The backyard courtyard was kind of strange, maybe from the 70s?
Train to the small town of Valenciennes where we pick up our rental car. Normally not something to write about, this was memorable because we felt like it might not happen! The store front was closed even though it should have been open. The guy on the phone told us the one employee was out getting our car, then it needed to be cleaned. We did get it in the end. It came with a Star Wars sticker and we have to wonder if the cars were oversold and someone had to lend their personal car...not likely, but a good story!
We moved from the Best Western luxury to an Ibis budget. It was almost as delightful because it was so clean and spare. Clever no key system. You get a door code, take a picture of it, and nothing to do when checking out. It has a bunk bed! Down side was no AC.
Upside was peace and quiet and a flower filled backyard.
Seriously huge lawn space.
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