It fits Perfectly.....I'll take it!

I have found a city that suits me perfectly - Lyon, France.  It has everything I would ever want in a city.  It's big enough to offer up the necessities and small enough to give me a cozy, comfortable feeling.  You don't have the overwhelming presence of students yet there is a lively young population.  You can choose to visit the old Lyon to enjoy what it offers - pubs, cozy little cafes, quaint shops and so much more.  Then you can go back into the other parts of the city where life is like the suburbs with cafes, pharmacies, or small grocery stores where you need them - not too far from where you are!

If you look at the skyline of Lyon there is only one very tall, modern building.  It appears all others have kept to the old code.  This gives the city a very uniform, and tidy look. It surely gives it the "old world" look and feel.  It almost looks like time has stopped in 1650!

While walking in the market today the church bells  were ringing which gave it a magical feel.  We picked up a rotisserie chicken, roasted potatoes, fruit and nuts for a nice lunch back in our hotel room. 

The one thing that I really like and appreicate is the cleanliness of the city.  The other French cities seemed to struggle with keeping the streets, sidewalks and all other public areas clean.  Not here.  The streets are clean, the parks are tidy and everyone seems to do their part. It could be that it's not a university town, or a party town, or it could be just a group of people who like having a clean and tidy place to call home.  

After our tour of the city this morning via taxi we got out on our own on foot.  It's nice to walk every where you need or want to go.  The weather was unbeleivably cold - 55 degrees and a chilly wind.  We just put on our jackets, tied on our French scarfs and headed out on our adventure.  They say the best way to get to know a city is to get lost.  Well, let's just say that we know this city well. You can get a cab at any taxi stand (no hailing them!) and get you back to your hotel within minutes.  That is if they can understand our French directions. 


Today being Father's Day, Lindsey spent time on the computer skyping her dad to wish him a happy Father's Day.  He is always happy to hear from her and listen to her version of this adventure.  She has been sending him postcards regularly and he enjoys that.  She is beginning to miss things from home especially her dog Clyde and her sister - in that order :-)

We spent quite a bit of one day just getting to and enjoying the large church on the hill.  The tram takes you up this steep mountain to drop you at the base of this amazing, centuries old building. We enjoyed just being in the church and we sat for a while for solitude and appreciation. 


I know most people don't like gray, rainy days.  Lindsey and I enjoy them. They provide us with a sense of comfort and coziness.  Now we wouldn't want it every day, but the last couple of days here with the rain off and on has been just perfect.  We sit in little, crowded cafes; drink hot chocolate and watch the rain pour off the awnings. People run in and out of shops and try to stay dry. Toddlers have on their rubber boots (Wellies) and jump into puddles even at the protesting of their mothers.  For me, I feel like it's God's way of cleaning things.  The dust and cobwebs get all washed away for a fresh clean smell.  

The plan for tomorrow is to do a River cruise and see the city from a different perspective.  I don't care how I see it, as long as I get to see it again and again....Lovely Lyon.