Monday, 7/16/2018, 8:10am, onboard train to Aachen
Nothing like European trains. Regular as clockwork, on time, and reliable. Except Italian trains. Those run on Italian time. But that was another trip. I’m on our train, leaving the Paris station, Gare du Nord and heading to Aachen. The scenery is stunning. Large green fields in various stages of haying, open meadows dotted with trees. Everything is vast. France is a large country, and is very defined concerning it’s cities and agriculture. Much of this I’ve covered in previous blogs, but it’s fun to see again.
We’re rested after a quiet day in Paris watching the chaos of the soccer team’s return. I made a food run in the evening. I’d forgotten about Paris grocery shopping. Three different stores, and I had sandwiches, juice, vitamin water and pasteries. A word about sandwiches. There is NOTHING like a sandwich made with french fresh bread. For my foodie friends, my sandwich was marinated chicken and bean sprouts (bought it thinking it was paramasan cheese, but the bean sprouts were delicious!). Sharon’s was fresh ham. Simple ingredients, and absolutely delicious.
After the parade, we watched french tv. After watching the press conference between Trump and Putin in Chinease, we then watched the new Ghostbusters movie. It was the only thing in English. Although it started in French, then in a combination of both and finally settled into English.
The Thayles trains are wonderful. Comfortable, spacious, fast, and with an internet connection! So I’m taking the time and writing. The Aachen opening ceremonies are tonight. These rival the Olympics. Every year they celebrate a country. Two years ago when we came, it was Sweden, complete with Halfingers painted like dala horses, the Swedish Queen and the coolest Standardbred to Bike drill team. This year is supposed to be China. We’re planning to attend, but dependent on how we feel, we may do like 2016, and watch the live television coverage.
We’ll get settled in the hotel, then check our schedule. Most of the marquee classes are at night. We’ll be going to the Nations Cup (Thursday night), a ‘hunting class over ditches and banks’ in the main arena on Friday, Eventing Cross Country, and Marathon 4 in hand, going through the main stadium during the day on Saturday, with a fun class Saturday night consisting of a relay with one show jumper, one 4 in hand driver, and one eventer. Should be something to see! The final class will be on Sunday – The Rolex Aachen Gran Prix. This is one of the most sought after prizes in show jumping. It should be amazing.
More when we’ve settled in and know what we’re doing.
Suzanne’s Travels 