This was a whirlwind trip and I worked 12-hour days so I don't have much to show but I had a blast. I traveled and worked - no touristing for me this time.
I left the US on Sunday.
I arrived in Paris on Monday and took the train to Grenoble. I was a little intimidated but it was the easiest trip. I was able to move my train from a 3:00 departure to 11:30 which saved me from being exhausted in the hotel. It only took a few minutes to get through border control but I anticipated that it would take much longer.
I can see the office from the hotel - convenient! I ate in the hotel restaurant each night. the service was great, and so was the food.
The people that I worked with in France were wonderful!
On Thursday after work, on Halloween, the eve of a national holiday, and during a train strike, I got on my train back to Paris. No one thought I would make it on time, but I did! It took some people helping me to find the right train car and seat when I transferred in Lyon, but it was easy as pie.
I fell asleep and woke up to the ding that we were arriving at the station. I looked out and saw that we were at the airport. I collected my things and got off the train - not noticing that no one else did. The train man noticed and pulled me back on the train, into the bar cart, telling me that the airport was another ten min away - whew! I am so thankful that French people are so nice.
I stayed in the Sheraton in the airport which was the best choice. I got off the train and went up the elevator into the nice hotel. I had dinner, went to bed, got up, had breakfast, and the concierge gave me the most simple directions to get me to my terminal.
I finished Penny Autumn by Plum Street while I was on the plane. I watched Book Smart for the FOURTH time and watched Aftermath because my seat mate suggested it.
When I landed in D.C., I had tons of texts. It turns out that my neighbors homes burned down due to a chicken coop heating lamp. People and chickens and pets ok, homes are totaled.
