I believe I ended the last blog with our group arriving in Nantes, meeting Crystal at a welcome reception in one of the city squares, having lunch, back to the hotel to get ready for the Welcome dinner event that evening (Mon 21 March).
Fountain in one of Nantes squares
Inside the "walking" mall.
Everyone at the show had to take a Covid test before attending the evening. Crystal and I had negative results so continued to get ready for the big event. We met in the lobby, along with many others (some Crystal has known for many years) and headed via foot through the old city of Nantes to a Castle, the location for our Welcome dinner. As we entered, a band of bagpipes, drums and flutes welcomed us onto the castle grounds. Once everyone chose a seat, the event and dinner, was served. We were there for many hours, arriving back at the hotel I believe by 11:30p.
Ready for the welcome dinner event.
The castle where the event was held
Welcome band
Dinner location.
DAY 1 of Trade Show - I couldn't GO! I didn't have the energy to get out of bed, plus a sore throat and stuffy nose. Oh brother! I knew I had been going strong, so wasn't surprised by this cause if you know me, I go like a crazy person and then CRASH. Spent the whole day in bed. Definitely needed it. When Crystal returned at 6:30p, I felt well enough (and was extremely hungry by then) to venture out to eat. We picked a snazzy pizza place on the plaza. Loved the atmosphere (again, great atmosphere). Back in bed by 9p.
DAY 2 of Trade Show - felt better, just a small sore throat, so was up and out at 7:45a for the bus to the event. We had to pack since we were, once again, moving hotels. Spent a full 8 hours at the show visiting every 20 minutes with different vendors. By 5p, we were all done. Back in the bus to head out for the evening adventure of shows at a place called PuyDuFou. After an hour and half on the bus we arrive in anticipation of dinner (it is now after 7p) but NO...they directed us to our FIRST of FOUR shows for the evening. OH boy! The show was about 35 minutes long and very well done. Then we headed to our second show (as everyone is asking where the wine is!), another 35 min show, very well produced. THEN onto dinner, which happened to also have a show which included the wait staff. Dinner finally ended at about 10:30p, then onto the last show which was outside (It was a bit chilly) in a lake. The production was pretty darn impressive, but boy were we all tired. After we were released from the show, we were directed to our buses (for our luggage) where upon we had to walk to our hotel. It was a struggle finding both the bus and our rooms but finally IN at MIDNIGHT!
Up at 6a for a 6:45a bus back to Nantes (1.5 hours) to catch our 9:05a train to Geneva (train change in Paris). On the bus we met a young
Frenchman named Francois. He was very funny instantly became our friend. Once at the train station (we had only about 40 min before our train), I realized I had booked my trains but that I did not have a seat assignment (I had purchased a Eurail pass and was using it for the first time). Thankfully I had Francois to help me at the ticketing office since it became a big problem. Thanks to him, we got the correct tickets and ended up running to get the train. Train travel in Europe is just right! The seats are comfortable, cars cleaned, just overall perfect. For our change of trains we had just enough time in Paris to cross town (in a taxi) to make it to our train. Was a lovely ride from Paris to Geneva.
Once we arrived in Geneva, we walked to the hotel (Hotel Edelweiss), located not far from the lake and in a great area of town. We checked in, then headed out to see the lake and have dinner at a cute little place we found in the city. In bed by 9p, tired, stuffy head, sore throat.
Lake Geneva
View from my hotel room
Amazing how clear the water is.
Funky dinner place
Fri 25 March - Decided to get tested for Covid. And yes, you guessed it, I was positive. Luckily Crystal was negative, so she decided to see if she could change planes to depart the next day. We were scheduled to be picked up by my friend Chris and his husband Christian and spend the weekend with them (they live just outside Nyon), but obviously our schedule was adjusted. Crystal gets her own room and books a flight back to Sacramento at 9a on Saturday. I hunker down in my room for the 5 day quarantine.
I have been in the room now for 4 days (as I write this, it is Monday night here). Actually, I did get out today and do my laundry. While waiting, walked down to the lake and found these wonderful cat statues. They lined the walkway along the lake. Made me smile (I shared a couple below).
At first the hotel was not happy with my news and seemed to have issues. They have said I can stay until Tuesday but do not have a room after since there is a big convention about to happen this week. SO I become "homeless"! But once again I am blessed with good friends. Chris and Christian will pick me up at 5p and take me to their home where I will have a room until I have a negative Covid test, hopefully on Wednesday.
Cat statue
Cat statue
This is my favorite (of the few I saw). Can you read the small print (it's in English). :)
Once I get cleared with a negative test, I will be heading to the Netherlands to visit my friend Marion and her family, then spend a couple days in Amsterdam.
Until then....
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