Third of the Way Around

Today’s itinerary takes us from Carcassonne to Narbonne for a short visit, then on to Barcelona for our last night before beginning our 20 hour trip home.  We’re getting confident in our train travels. Maybe too much so.    We sat in a restaurant until about 30 minutes before our train out of Carcassonne, hopped on the train and away we go.    Luckily we met some other Americans at the station who were also traveling in to Narbonne.    We thought we were only one stop away from Narbonne.    The train stopped, we’re the first ones off.    Proud of ourselves, we are, until we look behind us.    The other Americans were giving us curious looks, but not saying anything.    It occurs to us to read the city name of where we are.    Can’t remember what it was, but it sure wasn’t Narbonne.    We scampered back onto the train, like the seasoned pros we are, and continue on like nothing had happened....

Our train adventures continue.    This time from Toulouse to Carrcassonne, France.    Because of our past history with trains in Europe, we opted to arrive at the train station, just across the street from our hotel, with enough time to decipher the symbols and find our gate. We already had tickets, so there was a pretty good chance we could get there. The departure signs only listed Narbone as a destination, but we think we know that is just past Carcassone.    To verify, we stopped at a ticket information office to check.    In an excited tone, we were directed down the nearby stairs and to platform 10.    We had 4 minutes; we were 1 hour and 4 minutes early.    No matter, just catch the earlier train.  The train sped along, stopping at small towns along the way.    Beautiful country, pastures and farmland and houses.   Carcassone was a pleasant surprise.    Another beautiful old city. Lots ...

We arrived in Toulouse by plane from Porto.  As of yet, we haven’t seen the rude side of the French people.    People seem willing to help and seem quite tolerant of our inability to speak French.    At least in Toulouse.  Our hotel is alongside a canal that runs from the Atlantic all the way to the Mediterranean.    There are some long boats on it and apparently you can travel the distance.    A number of locks allow for the difference in altitude.  It was a short walk to the center of town.    Lots of shops, stores and restaurants lined the streets, atop of which were beautiful apartment buildings.    This is a college town so the popular is largely younger people.  A little sightseeing, drinks and dinner for a low key evening.    Tomorrow, a train to Carrcassonne, France. 

The hired tour is now over and we’re back on our own.    We had a good time with them and learned much more history than we otherwise would have.    We met a lot of good people and some others. Didn’t really build any new friendships that will endure.  We have an 8:00 AM train to Porto, Portugal.    This is the port wine region in the north of the country.    Our last stop in Portugal.    Let’s see if our luck with trains here, is any better than Spain.  Cab to the train, no problem. Inquiring at the ticket booth, $4 more, each… still not sure why.    On to the train into a car marked #2 (matching our tickets), wrong car. Turns out ours is at the OTHER end of the train. Nicer seats anyway.   Right now the view is so foggy, we can’t see a thing.    An hour and 15 minutes or so into the trip, the fog lifts and we can see the countryside.    It’s a combination of forests, farmland and small ...

Our first stop on today’s bus tour, is Sintra. About 12 miles out of Lisbon.    There are actual houses carved into the hillside here, rather than the gray apartments of the city.    Some are quite grand.  Lisbon does have its nicer side too.    The downtown area is very nice. Lots of shops and restaurants, statues and monuments.    We had an enjoyable walk and lunch and sightseeing. 

Back on the bus, heading for Lisbon.    The troupes are becoming restless.    A true battle for seats is becoming increasingly evident.    I suspect purses being used as maces will be next.    People have been leaving articles of clothing, bags and other limited value items on the seats to “save their place”.    If the bus driver dares be seen heading to his vehicle, a mob of passengers dashes up behind him, like a line of aggressive duckings, pleading with him that they forgot their life-support-system on the bus, and need to grab it.    All of this, is merely a ploy to leave something on their desired seat or perhaps rearrange others markers, to suit their own desires.   The bus driver is a kind man; but he doesn’t speak a word of English.    He shrugs, and lets them on.  Amongst those with us on the tour, are a group of 18 from El Paso.    One of the people brought his guitar along and ever...