As the train sped away from Paris, we passed through beautiful French countryside, some even covered in snow. We arrived in Lyon around mid afternoon. The sky looked gloomy and I was hoping we would get to our hotel before it started to rain. After a short Metro ride and walk, we arrived at our hotel. We dropped off our stuff and headed to a craft store Emily wanted to go to. When she was studying in Paris, it had been a favorite store of hers and she found out there was one in Lyon as well. By the time she had picked a pattern and acquired the necessary amount of yarn, it had begun to rain. We then found a Creperie for dinner where Andy and I got the same thing for dinner ( a crepe with tomato sauce and cheese) and for dessert (a crepe with sugar). We decided to try to go to the Christmas Market but it was raining too much and we decided to head in.
The next day was bright and sunny. We stopped at a cafe for breakfast where we got the last 3 pastries: 2 pain au chocolat and 1 croissant. We then walked across the river to go to the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourviere. Andy and I rode the funicular up the hill while Emily walked. From the top of the hill we walked around to the Roman ruins of an amphitheatre. Just like in Rome, I enjoyed walking around the ruins, climbing the steps and see all the broken marble. Andy and I stood in the center of the amphitheatre and talked, we could then hear our voices amplified. After playing on the Roman ruins, we headed back towards the Basilica and took in the view over the city of Lyon. 
It was beautiful and off in the distance you can see the Alps. They were covered in snow, such a beautiful, cold sight. We took the funicular back down the hill and stopped at the farmer's market along the river for lunch. Andy and I split a half of a roasted chicken with some potatoes (so good). Emily got some olives. And we all shared a slice of cheese and a baguette. We walked over to a courtyard in front of the National Theater in Lyon and ate our lunch. It was a delicious French lunch. Afterwards we split up, Emily went to the Christmas Market and Andy and I went to the Musee de la Resistance. The French Resistance movement against Nazi Germany began with a small group of people in Lyon. I really enjoyed and look forward to learning more about it. Afterwards we went to meet Emily at the Christmas Market. It was located near the gare (train station) so Andy got a bit sidetracked on the way over. Shocker. He took many pictures of trains as they crossed the river towards the station. It was nice to be able to just cruise around Lyon with my brother. 
Eventually he was satisfied with his pictures and we met Emily at the Market. We walked around, purchased some Christmas gifts and had some delicious food. For dinner I got a baguette with cheese and ham (jambon) which was broiled open-faced. It was delicious. I also got a fresh pretzel to save for later and a waffle covered in powered sugar for dessert. Yummy.
My second trip to France began much in the same way as the first. I rode the Eurostar from St. Pancras International across to Gare Nord on Friday morning to meet Andy and Emily in Paris. Unfortunately this time did not go as smoothly. Due to a train failure earlier in the morning (in addition to the closure of part of the tunnel because of a fire during the summer), we arrived 70 minutes late. I did not have anyone sitting next to me so it not bother me too much. In addition, we were compensated with a free one-way or half price return ticket.
We head off to dinner and find an Italian place where Andy and I get the same dish. After dinner we take the Metro to the Arc De Triomphe. We come out of the Metro station and there it is in the middle of a gigantic traffic circle. We took the tunnel under the street and arrived in the middle of the arch. We then climbed the North staircase to the top. It was a lot of steps and reminded me that no matter what country I go to there will be so many steps to climb. There was a great view from the top. Looking down the Champs-Elysees, all lit up, was beautiful. I looked down at the traffic going around the Arc and realized there were no lines. Cars would jump in and out swerving at their own will. The view of surrounding Paris was gorgeous to the south was the Eiffel Tower all lit up (in blue to celebrate the president of France as the President of the EU). After many pictures we went down the South staircase which was a bit easier. We then walked down the Champs-Elysees for a bit. Then we found a Metro station and were off to our next destination: Notre Dame.
The Metro station was massive, the walls were thick and big so as to hold back the river because the cathedral is on an island. This island was a lot bigger than I expected. We walked across the street and around the corner to Notre Dame de Paris. It was just as you would expect it to look. There was also a Christmas tree out front. We then walked around around the side and over the Siene to find a gelato place Emily loved. As we walked away from Notre Dame I was surprised by the differences in architecture along the building. All lit up, it was beautiful. We found the gelato place but it was closed so we found the location of another one across the river. It was good, how I miss gelato. We called it a night and headed back to the hotel.
The next morning, Andy and I went to the Eiffel Tower. We got some bread, pastries, and apples for breakfast as we walked over. We walked around the corner and there it was. Landmarks in Europe have a way of doing that; I was just strolling along, turned the corner, and there it was. Um, wow. We walked over to it and waited for it to open. Soon enough we were able to go up. We took the first elevator to the 2nd level and then took the express straight up. Although it was over cast, the view was amazing. After many pictures and looking around. We went down and back to the hotel. We finished packing and along with Emily went to the train station to catch a train to Lyon.
My brother and Emily came to London the week after I returned from my trip to Normandy and Disneyland. It was so exciting to see them. After they arrived in Heathrow on Tuesday afternoon I met them at Trafalar Square for dinner. I was jittery all day, I was so excited. I was tracking their flight, checking and rechecking when they would arrive. It was awesome to come out of the Tube station at Trafalgar Square (which is an impressive sight on its own) and see my brother and Emily standing there. I ran up and gave them big hugs (Andy got 2). We then walked along The Strand and had dinner at a Italian restaurant . 
Out of habit I almost used the limited amount of Italian I learned in Italy: prego and gratzie. It was good. After we went back to Andy and Emily's hotel and then Andy came with me to my flat. I showed him a bit of the area and we made plans for breakfast the next morning and went back to the hotel.
After Andy and Emily went to the National Portrait Gallery, I had already been there so I went back to my flat and met them for lunch after. We went to Wagamama, a ramen noodle restaurant. Emily had been very excited to go. After we wet to the London Transportation Museum, this was Andy's choice (as if there was any doubt). It was very cool. There was a paper you took around and punched shapes into it at different stations. And at the end there were buses you could climb on along with tubes and buses to drive. I approve, it was a fun museum.
That night we went to Hyde Park to visit the Winter Wonderland. There is an ice skating rink, carnival rides with Christmas themes, and a market. Of course there was also food; Emily got mulled wine and Andy and I got waffles covered in powder sugar. Delicious! We parted ways, them to their hotel and me to my flat.
brought along with chicken. We also had veggies, rolls, and mashed potatoes. We even made eggnog. It was great fun.
