Le France

 So last Wednesday the non English speaking though affable Uber driver fetched us for the trip to MIA. I note this because though I love my city, it is rather absurd: more people in the Madrid airport speak English than they do at MIA. Anyway, after some picadillo at the Centurion, we had a lovely meeting. D2 had just arrived from LGA after a biz trip to NYC, and we got a live bon voyage hug. Technically, she wasn’t in transit and therefore not to be admitted, but the nice agent made an exception, and allowed it. I gave him a $20 on the way out, which he initially begged off, but I told him he had started our vacation beautifully-and he relented.

The Iberia jumbo Airbus was fine…2 more vodkas after the dinner did the trick and I slept a solid 7 hours across the ocean. Poor Wifey slept zero, and took a few days to come to herself after we arrived in Lyon via Madrid.

The affable cab driver, also fluent in English, gave a lovely tour, and told us he was born in our hotel. Turns out it was a hospital since medieval times, and just closed in the early 2000s, to be converted to a 5 star Intercontinental, with amazing preservation. Le Dome, the bar, gets consistently voted best hotel bar in the world, and indeed it’s like having cocktails in the Sistine Chapel. We met Kenny and Joelle, and we were off and running our trip …first activity, Le Passe Temps, a Michelin starred restaurant that was among the finest meals ever. Joelle knows wine, and had the best she ever had…and the charming sommelier truly loved to teach us about each of the Foods and wine. For Kenny and I, I dubbed the trip “From Levittown to Lyon,” and we all toasted our good fortune about being able to enjoy such a trip. Kenny and Joelle, atheists, were j just thankful. I thanked the Big Man. Wifey wasn’t sure.

Anyway, I’m typing this in a small coffee alcove aboard the SS Catherine…named for the actress Deneuve! But breakfast calls, though Wifey sleeps… we may just explore Avignon leisurely today , It’s already Day 6 of the cruise- more to come soon, But those croissants and fresh fruit call…

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