Bonjour! Arrived!

Finally I am able to sit, breathe and take a minute to let you know we have arrived in France!

No writing of mine tends to be brief, but I will try to summarize...

We flew from SD to New York Monday morning, then boarded the plane to Paris.  We arrived in Paris on time with smooth flights behind us.  Our luggage was gathered and we proceeded to find our way to the train station that we would then take us south to Avignon.  After what seemed a long wait, we boarded the train.  The train was full - two college students traveling together were sitting across the isle sleeping through each stop and drown of the train traveling along the tracks.  Two young teen girls sat in front of them, their giggles were heard the entire trip.  Behind us were a father and young daughter, the daughter trying to watch a movie on her computer and wanting to continually pull the shade down to see her screen better.  I of course wanted it up as to see the fast moving landscape passing us by.  We did agree on it being half way down in order

to block the bright sun shining in.  

As I watched the countryside speed by, we quickly passed all the cars traveling on the nearby highways.  What is a 9-10 hour drive from Paris by car, took us abit under 3 hours by train.  Definitely a 

nice way to travel!  The travel time was about 5 hours from SD to NY, nearly 7 hours then to Paris, and just under 3 hours to Avignon.  A LONG day to be sure, but sleep on the plane and train was good and made arrival and seeing our friends S & J at the train station a very welcome sight!!!

After loading our two large suitcases and two backpacks into the back of the small European size car, it was obvious why we packed ONLY two suitcases!  The four we were allowed would never have fit!!!  

The short drive into Avignon greeted us with many other tourists and seekers of the large festival that was just beginning in the town.  The town was bright and colorful as posters covered the walls of the buildings of the squares and streets.  The streets and cafes were full of people on summer holiday.  The sun shone brightly and the temperature was quite warm!  

After a wonderful salad lunch, and another drive through beautiful country side, we stopped for coffee in the tiny town of Suzette.  The place is a favorite of S & J's as it holds particular meaning to them personally.  I kept reminding myself that this was real and not a picture book I was sitting and paging through.  

Finally we arrived at our destination and "home" for the next few days.  A bed and breakfast owned and fun by P.  Was this place for real???  Up until now, I only saw places like this on the pages of large coffee table books.  The views, the smells and the "perfection" of this place can only be described as "WOW"!!!

Our room had the key hanging in the door, waiting for us.  The large blue shudders that covered the glass doors inside have been left open during the night to let the cool air refresh us as we sleep.  What??? we are leaving our door unlocked and open with no screen to "protect" us???  Needless to say, we slept deeply as we began to 'catch up' on lost sleep as we traveled the many time zones to get here.  

Avignon

Famous bridge in Avignon -- Pont St Benezet (originally spanning the entire river, but damaged and left only half way across the river)

Outer walls of Avignon

Country side

Suzette

A toast to our safe arrival and to time with good friends

"Home sweet home"

view from the door of our room

What an incredible place!  Our God never ceases to amaze me as He continually reveals more of the beauty of this earth He has created.  I am grateful to have this opportunity to see, experience and enjoy the 'glimpses' He gives me each day of Himself through wonderful friends and places to see and enjoy together.