It snowed

It snowed last night so we awoke to a white city.I love the snow so it was so cool. However we had a walking talking organised and wasn't sure if it was going to be on so we gave him a ring and yes. So off to breakfast and then to meet this person. As part of the tourist office they have what they call city greeters. These are people who volunteer their time and take visitors around and show them their city. You tell them what you are interested in and they pair you up with someone.

This is such an awesome concept and now that we have done the tour I think it even more so.

We met Jean Pierre at the statue of someone in the middle of the city. He was an older gentleman that is retired and twice a week will show people his city. He spoke english and he was awesome. I mean it is hard not to love a place when it is covered in snow. It snowed on an off for the day which had me smiling all of the day because of it.

He took us all over the city, explaining things, using public transport and we would ask him questions about the city, about life, about everything. It was such a great way to do a tour. We eventually ended up in the area where he lives which is the silk workers hill. This were he grew up, he came from a poor family, his father died in the war and his mother had to look after three children by herself. She was able to send him off to study to become a mechanical engineer and she is still alive today at 101.

We went to his local bar (coffee shop and yes it sells wine etc). This he says is where him and his friends catch up for a chat, to read the paper or just hang out. It is not about drinking but just hanging out. It was great, just this corner little place. We had several wines and some snacks and then continued on. We caught public transport or walked throughout the city. He pointed out the posh areas now and things like back then and even now it wasn't about showing how much money you had. Your house from the outside looked plain but inside it was a different matter. This was for the tax man, didn't want to show how much money you had.

We ended up spending about 4 hours with Jean-Pierre and it was so much fun. We now have a love for Lyon. Still not on my top cities but I would say come here and find your own Lyon.

We found a nice restaurant for lunch today and the meal was great. We had this sausage thing cooked in sweet bread loaf. It is weird but really yummy.

Canard for main course and a lovely glass of red wine. Off home after this for an afternoon nap. I mean what else ya gonna do when you have walked the city, had several glasses of wine and it is cold. Go home and sleep. So nap time so warm.

Tonight we caught public transport back up to the top of the hill to look at the view and back down for dinner at our favourite pizza place.

Now it is home to write this and watch some tv. The only problem with having a nap at 4.30 in the afternoon.




Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Lyon, France