TOO MUCH, TOO SOON?

Think we all slept around ten hours last night IN A BED. Heavenly. Actually, the trip wasn't too bad. But it was long and we are not as young as we once were.

Last night's dinner was at a local restaurant called "Little Italy." Of course, right? We fly all the way to France just to have our first dinner in an Italian restaurant! But it was literally 2 blocks away and recommended by Sophie. (Sophie is the woman who is our local contact for the apartment owners.)

Dinner was excellent and fun. Bob and Karin had Tagliatelle au Saumon, and Stew had a house special of Cannoli. Waiter was very helpful. We think we'll be back.

Today was one of those where nothing goes quite right. We found the information center in Place Bellecour and were directed to where we already knew we had to go to catch the two furniculars that go up the mountain to the Basilica and a museum, but when we walked to the station, we found that one furnicular was closed for renovation. Wouldn't you think the girl at information would have happened to mention that. By then, the cold wind and 40+ temperatures were getting to us, so we trooped back to the information center and got new directions...to the nearby taxi stand. Actually, the taxi ride only cost us about 2 euros more than the tickets for the furnicular! 

Arriving at the lower level

Up the steep roads and we arrived at the lower level of the museum only to find that it was closed for security reasons! So, we had to trudge up all those steep steps in the Roman theater to find the top entrance. 

But a surprise awaited him at the door!

The museum is built into the mountain so as not to detract from the remains of the two amphitheatres. (See the picture below.)

Once inside, we did enjoy the museum. It is like the Guggenheim in New York where you start at the top and slowly walk down on a ramp though several floors. But since the lower entrance was closed, we needed to take an elevator back up to the top to get out!

We walked (and walked) back down into town for a small lunch but ended up eating more than we had planned. Next we stopped at a store for eyebrow pencils for Margaret Brucato (none there--wrong store), and eventually found our way home. Naturally we had to stop at a fromagerie and a patisserie for something to hold us over until dinner. But first we all crashed for a much needed nap.

The Musee Gallo Romain de Lyon Fourviere

Dinner discussion sounds like we may not leave the apartment. If we do, it may only be for a piece of pizza. But there are some wonderful cheeses in the fridge calling. And some wine...