Change of Plans

We packed up this morning thinking we would go down to the train station and get on a train to Barcelona. Nope...

The trains were on "strike" today. When things go on strike around here, only select things don't run. The train we wanted to get on was full. They only let a certain number of people with Eurail passes on the train, and those seats were taken. We had the option of buying a ticket half price, but by the time the girl at the information desk went to book those, they were already taken too. So, we were SOL. There were no trains going to anywhere in Spain we wanted to go to today. We had to regroup and think of what to do. We were already packed and ready to travel, and tomorrow is my Birthday, and I don't want to ride on a train all day on my Birthday, so we decided to pick somewhere else to go. I had heard of Marseille, but knew nothing about it other than it's also on the French Riviera, and knew from looking at maps that it was closer to Barcelona than Nice. So, I asked if there was a train we could get on to go to Marseille, and if it was a nice place. The information lady said yes to both, so at 2:30 we were set to get on a train to Marseille.

In the meantime, we had an hour or so to kill, and we went down the street to an internet cafe to cancel our hotel reservations for the next several days, and book somewhere to stay in Marseille. We managed that okay and we were able to find a good, inexpensive place to stay. By 2:30, or 14:30 as they would call it around here, we were getting on the train to Marseille. One thing I really like about France so far, is their train system. To get to the actual train, you have to validate your ticket, then when you go to your platform, there is someone there checking everybody's tickets before you board the train. There are plenty of guards at the station, some even with machine guns. After what happened to me, I really appreciate the security, and it really cuts down on the riff-raff riding the trains. In Italy, nobody checks your ticket until you are at least half way or 3/4 of the way to your destination. Someone could easily ride for a while and get off at one of the many stops without someone even checking their ticket. In France, the seats are all in private 6 seat compartments, whereas in Italy, it's all just one long corridor, with an isle down the middle. I can see how the compartments would cut down on theft, it's much easier to stow bags, and there are mirrors where you can see your bags above you. It's something we think about a lot now, and something to take into consideration when traveling. Italy really needs to step their security game up, it was down right pitiful compared to what we've experienced in France.

The French have also proved to be especially nice and helpful. I think the stereotypical American opinion of the French is stuck up, nose in the air type of people. We both agree that we haven't met anyone like that in France yet. If you go in a shop and ask for help or directions, they will go out of their way to help you, at least they have for us. For example, today when we were looking for our hotel and having a hard time finding it, we asked several people, and one girl working at a bakery went so far as to walk down the street with us to help us find the place. A French cab driver even pointed us in the right direction, after we turned down the cab. In Italy, I remember asking a girl in a shop for directions to our hotel, and she was reluctant, and told me to come back and buy souvenirs. I have found the stereotype to be quite the opposite. The French are hospitable, ready to please, helpful, always smiling and very nice. The Italians seemed to always want something in return, were reluctant to be helpful, and acted like we were the biggest pain in the ass for asking questions. Not all, just most that we encountered. It has been very surprising, but I'm pleased with France and really enjoy being around some nice people for a change. The French also have really delicious pastries!

Tomorrow, we're planning on going to a beach that a young guy at our hotel recommended, that's another 30 minute bus ride outside of the city, but then an hour hike to get to. It should be interesting, but the pictures look absolutely stunning, so I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end. It's called a calanque, which is some type of cove that develops within limestone. I'm excited to check it out. I also still don't have any underwear of my own, mainly because we're in France and the French's definition of underwear consists of lace, and guarders, connected to corsets. I need to do something about that tomorrow too.

This is the second place I didn't plan on going before we left NC (Monterosso, Cinque Terre was the first) so I hope it turns out to be a good choice! Marseille is the second largest city in France, and the oldest. It's on the French riviera, just like Nice. Didn't take any pictures today. Lots tomorrow!

Best things about today: Making it safely to a new place, the pastries, having our own room again!!
Worst things about today: Walking around for 30+ minutes trying to find the hotel, which should have been a 10 minute walk from the train station. Should have taken that cab!