Transportation

We've discovered the wonder of transportation in Montpellier. Whether you are walking, riding a bike, on a scooter, a motorbike, in a car, on a tram, on a bus ... all of it is one big mix. Everyone seems to watch out for each other and accommodate to one another; even the trams (pictured below) creep along when pedestrians are in the way. We jumped a tram out to the east end of the city today (a wet and cool day) to see Mare Nostrum, an aquarium that stunned even us, who have seen numerous examples of the genre. Worth every penny of the admission.  Finished the day with an organ concert in the 14th Century Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Montpellier.  Nous aimons cette ville!

á la Plage

Today was "un grand adventure". We decided to rent bikes in order to expand our exploration of Montpellier. The bike rental store, that we had already scoped out, didn't rent bikes for Isaac-size people. So . . . we tried out "les velos" that are available through the city transportation system. What a great deal! You register with your phone number and credit card and within minutes receive a text with an activation code. You punch the code into the bike and "voila", you are able to pull the bike out of the rack and ride away. There are a number of rental bike stations around the city where you can pick up and drop off. Cost is .50€ per hour and you can rent for up to 24 hours. We cycled out to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean. Our butts are sore and we're all a little sunburnt but it was a fabulous day.  Home for some French Brie, baguette, and sparkling wine before heading out for an early dinner (7:30).

Train Grande Vitesse

Bonjour,
Aujourd'ui nous sommes en Montpellier, France. On est arriver a 4:00 hier après qu'on a voyagés pour 24 heures! On avait pris deux avions et un train très vite qui a une vitess de 320 kmh! Aujourd'ui on est observer les elegances du ville est les cultures. A bien tôt!

En Route

Our first foreign city - Vancouver! So near and yet so far. Cosmopolitan, chic, busy, easy to get around in, a place to get away from it all (if you live in Shawnigan Lake).

A Prayer for the Journey

God of the Way,

      you are the road we travel,

      and the sign we follow;

      you are bread for the the journey,

      and the wine of arrival.

Guide us as we follow in your way,

      holding on to each other,

      reaching out to your beloved world.

And when we stray,

      seek us out and find us,

      set our feet on the path again,,

      and lead us safely home.

In the name of Jesus, our Companion, we pray.  Amen.

                                                        Janet Cawley, 1996

Hang on everybody. Here we ... go!!