Only (the) Lyon(ely)

day two in lyon. the redeemer day. you did good, lyon. you did good.

highlight the first. the funicular (le funiculaire). you know. the tram-like vehicle which goes uphill on a cable-system? yes. that. awesome! i loved it. i giggled lots, and natalya said she was happy i was so excited... she didnt say she was embarassed by my excitement which was kind.

lowlight. magnesium water. don't. just don't.

at the top of the funicular we wandered until we found the roman theatre. lovely. they seem to use it for actual shows now. there were proper lights and everything. it was raining, but only lightly. there were many stairs. wandering out of the theatre-area there were herbs growing wild along the streets. all kinds. lemon verbena. rosemary. much much more. we pressed leaves between our fingers and identified, and were happy. this is all at the top of a hill. we walked down the hill by way of an amazing nature path. all trees and flowers and lovelyness and views of lyon. really inclredibly stunning. we found maple leaves. we found a statue of jesus.

highlight! a walkway all arched-over with roses and other wild flowers. while the bells from the stately basilica chimed noon. for nearly a half hour. truly beautiful and moving.

highlight! the grotto... wait for photos of same.

once at the bottom of the hill we went looking for a loo. we wandered into a building with signs leading to an 'exhibition'. and what should we find? a loo! and... an art show! local artists. something, i imagine, like harcourt house, but generally better quality. impressive, in fact. especially the sculpture. some of it was quite remarkable, and i really would have loved to take some home with me. i took photos instead.

then along the rône river. a small gathering of stalls selling artisan pottery and jewellery. there was one man with knit stuffed animals that were insanely cute. i got very excited, and the man, along with his friends at the next stall, was greatly entertained by my enthusiasm. they laughed in their lovely french way.

we encountered two young men who asked us if we were british. they, it turns out, were american. from virginia to be exact. very nice and polite. they had apparently travelled quite a bit in canada, including calgary. we told them how to get to the funicular to see the roman theatre.

across to the otehr side of the river, we wandered through the sunday market right before they closed up.

highlight. a very french looking girl (in hammer pants) smelling a melon in a remarkably dignafied and graceful way.

highlight. a man trying desperately to sell us a roast chicken. natalya was tempted. very very tempted.

then to la place bellcour (a square) then back to the hotel for a rest break. all this before three in the afternoon.

we read and we napped. then out for a leisurely dinner on la rue victor hugo. outside. with the smoking french. and a bottle of very nice wine. and a desert of creme brulee (natalya) and creme caramel (me). a quick strole to aid digestion, and now home to the hotel. we leave early early tomorrow for munich.

and i have decided i very much like lyon. i am glad we came. very. the people are incredibly kind. friendly. they laugh with us as we struggle with the language, and they are patient and helpful. the air smells (usually) fragrant and soft. it is gently warm or gently rainy. it is, en fin, very nice. and i have nejoyed it very much. and now off to scary germany, where we do not speak the language, and we plan to drink beer in gardens!