This post is coming to you from Portugal but I would be remiss to not mention our adventures in Lyon. After my first night out in Lyon I needed a day to recover. Saturday was supposed to be my recoup day in order to get ready to attack the Alps on Sunday. After sleeping until about 3 on Saturday it was time to see a little bit of Lyon.
In order to ski Sunday morning we had to make a trek across town in order to rent the skis. I will do my best to insert some things that have been most interesting to me on my travels while appropriate. First of all public transportation in Lyon is amazing and makes the CTA look like it was designed by a four year old (this is especially impressive when you take into account that Lyon and its buildings have been around for five centuries or more) Any way we went to get our skis and I had my first encounter with French customer service where the customer is always wrong. Pause FREE SHOT...Elwood picked a fantastic hostel in Lisbon where you are required to take a free shot at 1130. Anyway after we got our skis we headed over to Elwood's buddy's house for Jimmer night. BYU was playing San Diego State and it was Elwood and Sebastian's first opportunity to see Fredette play. They (we) celebrated by opening a few bottles of wine (French people never stop drinking, even at work...) and streaming a game over the internet. Maybe not the best decision since the bus to take us to the Alps left at 6 the next morning. We finally left around 3 in the morning knowing full well the alarm was going to ring at 5 the next (same, i guess) day.
The bus ride to the alps was fantastic. France as I have already said is just so beautiful and the little residence secondaire (secondary residences) in the country are such a wonderful escape. Dan explained that many French people have these homes that have been in their families for centuries. After the country the Alps are upon you. I have been to Colorado to ski but they pale in comparison to the Alps. I guess the best word to describe the mountains is violent. They come from out of nowhere and the next thing you know you are 1000M above sea level. The Alps are not a place where people go to learn how to ski. We sat next to a kid on the chair lift who had been on the mountain since she was TWO. We held our own despite the limited visibility and severe cold. My personal highlight is when both Dan and I took a little detour off the trail and we both failed pretty miserably. I went first and almost made it down before a big time face plant. I could hear Dan's laugh from 100m's down the hill. His attempt was much worse. As I rolled over to watch he biffed it about 3\4 of the way down and got tangled up with his own skis and poles. I could hardly hold it together while lying on the ground. A couple French people stopped to make sure I was okay (mistaking my laughter for pain) only to see Dan STRUGGLING to right himself and then joining to take part in his humiliation.
Later that night as I sat in Dan's kitchen talking to Stojic I realized that in the food capital of France I had yet to enjoy a meal. All over the place are what are called boulangeries which are little bakery\cafes. Dan introduced me to gallette au sucre which is pure bliss. Saying that it is dough with a a sugary topping simply does not seem to do it justice even though that is what it is. They also make what I guess I can best describe as a calzone but taken to a whole other level.
Monday we slept late and made the trek up to Fourviere, the church on top of the hill. Elwood, Sebastian, and I found a little spot and just kicked on the hill while drinkin some brews. We explored the church and concluded the day with an authentic French meal. We had a little trouble with the menu but managed not to order Tripe which I count as a success. Elwood order French Onion soup which was indescribable. This we the best on earth. There was NO way that it could have been better anywhere else.
We headed back to Sebastian's for a night cap and as Dan and I returned to his place he realized he did not have his keys. After about twenty minutes of calling and ringing the doorbell we finally woke Dan's roommate who was none too pleased at being woken at 2AM having to work early the next day.
We got to Portugal today where it is 60 and sunny and again unbelievably beautiful. Elwood to no ones surprise is working the ladies at the hostel and attempting to push the music of Elton John and Billy Joel on the hostel lobby. Tomorrow we are off to the castles and beaches. Stojic...wish you were here.
Obrigado (thanks)
Liska
Elwood's Blog
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