Author: Annikki

Staying in a pension with mixed rooms. Two Finnish boys and a French lady and only one key.

 

Due to the train strike in France it did not go so smoothly today, but luckily I was so close to the Spanish border that using local buses and small private train I am now in Burgos. Here I realized that the youth hostel I had reserved was 100 km away from Burgos, but no problem I found a pension from the city center.  So ready for the new adventures.

Yesterday in Biarritz was relaxing, did long walk through the forest to the Atlantic Coast and wandered along the coast for hours just listening to the sound of waves and feeling the breeze. I did carry my swimming suit, but the excuse not to swim was that nobody was looking after my bag. My sightseeing was a great aquarium. Enjoyed watching the life of fishes and other underwater life.

This traveling alone is a new experience for me, you have more time to think and digest what you have seen, you have the freedom to make your own decisions.on the other hand you have to be more alert and be responsible of yourself. In the Moomin world there is one character, who needs this solitude, Snusmumriken wanders alone, but  joins the Moomin family every summer. Just like Snusmumriken I recognize my Finnish character, getting a bit confused when unknown people smile to me in the underground or restaurants, this kind of quick and light politeness. A normal Finn then usually starts looking out of the window even though it is a dark underground wall there. Maybe we learn.

But what have I done yesterday- Below are some unfortunately only IPad pics of the great cathedral in Chartres, an hour’s journey from Paris. It dates back to the 4th century, and the current church was built around 1230. Plenty of wealth was to be seen. Stained glass windows, statues and paintings, but at the same time in the posters there was strong message of being on the side of poor people and refugees. Hope it is real life, too. In a couple of days I will also see the cathedral of Burgos. I decided this time not to hurry to see Paris sights, and just had a dinner in a local bistro, close to the hostel, enjoyed looking at the life of local people. A man came into the bistro to show his small kitten and let the customers and bar tenders caress it. Not so hygienic, but sweet. But, soon heading to the Gare Montparnasse and jumping into Biarritz train. Luckily I could check the station yesterday and make my reservations as it was huge.

 

My original idea was to avoid big cities. However, now I am in Paris. Three reasons, weather forecasts, access to hostel and choosing the western route.  Today’s trip was a bit of adventure, only small one that suited me. My friend Bernd drove me to Celle station and I managed train changes in Hannover, but the problems started in Mannheim as the train was 30 minutes late, so I did not reach the train to Paris, drove back north to Cologne    and tried to reach Paris via Brussels.

However, the 2nd class seats were fully booked so I needed to buy a ticket to 1st class, what I did. If I were rich I would start traveling in 1st class trains. The service was like it was in air plains at early days. We were served first sandwiches with wine and coffee with cakes, after Brussels became a full dinner with meat, salad, potatoes, cheese, desert, coffee and wines again. From my co-traveler I did get a good hint of HERE maps, which work off line. With my IPad in my hand I managed to find this hostel.

So tomorrow I have a full day in Paris, what to do? Will it be Disney park or Cathetral in Chartre, which was recommendation of one co traveler who acted as a tour guide in France.

But the whole town is full of these traditional old houses and a castle. They say that some king of England was also King of Hannover area and that is why this wonderful town was not bombed.

You can buy the asparagus ready peeled directly from the farmers. Taste of fresh ones differs from the imported ones we get in Finland. That was our lunch.

 

Here in a German village meeting friends again and staying in their nice big house.

It was really fun and nostalgic to look their photo album from that trip through Finland, from Lohja up to North Lapland. By sharing the memories the trip was fulfilled in my mind.

I spent as a schoolgirl some weeks in a German family, and from that time I know these friends.

Spent two wonderful days in warm and green Jylland,  seen great etnographique museum in Aarhus with an exhibition of Roman fighters,walked along the coastline and enjoyed good food and beautiful garden.

Now in a fully packed train and soon crossing the German border. It seems that buying seat tickets is a must if you wish to sit. Looking forward to Celle and Wathlingen.

Train connections between  Copenhagen and Odense were a bit confusing as part of the train were replaced with a bus, but luckily I started early in the morning and could reach the meeting place with my old penfriend in time. Suppose we met last time -66 or -67,  so 50 years ago. We have been sitting in the garden enjoying  sun and a glass of wine and going through our lives since that a lot had happened.

This Jylland is surprisingly hilly with forests and lakes. Summer is really here now. Will stay here two nights with the luxury of own room and towel. On the other hand sharing room with three ladies in Malmø went better than I expected and I could have a good night sleep although the first room mates were leaving at the dawn. In Odense  I could buy seat tickets for my travel to Germany, so also the next couple of days are in order now. No pics this time as we could not find the password for wireless and have not acces to internet from my Ipad.

Make your trip an adventure, that is how audio books are advertised in Swedish trains. I feel like having an adventure, although Ferrytrip and Sweden are so familiar to me.

 

Tomorrow towards Copenhagen and Silkeborg.