Yesterday morning I woke up early to leave for Paris.  I checked out of my hotel, drove back to Avignon Train station and went inside to board my train.  After looking about for some time, I came to discover that my train would leave from the other Avignon train station.

"You mean there are two Avignon train stations?!" I asked the clerk.  "Oui, madam, you must take the bus." 

So, with less than an hour to be on-board my train,  I had to find the bus to the "other" Avignon train station, which, of course, cost me more money.  It took 20 minutes by bus to get to the center of Avignon.  I asked the driver how to find the station.  Suddenly, he no longer spoke English. Rather, he gave me the directions quickly in French.  I did not understand.  So, I asked another passenger.  He gave me totally wrong directions.  I decided to follow the people with the suitcases.  They were checking into a hotel.  At this point, I was pissed off and concerned about missing my train.  I asked someone on the street where I could find the station.  He was very nice and offered to show me.  I walked with him for a few moments before I realized he was a relatively clean street tramp and at any moment, he would be asking me for money.  I thanked him and made my own way (now seeing the station).

Inside the train station, there were many more vagrants and assorted undesirables.  One woman sat next to me with her children, which tried to pickpocket me (unsuccessfully).  I was quite relieved when the train arrived, only to find out that—- of course —- it was a local!

Relieved to be back in Paris, I made my way to the hotel, checked in, confirmed dinner reservations and met Destiny's Journey and her boyfriend.

First, I would like to tell you what a lovely couple they are!  They were so very kind as to bring me a gift (and quite a thoughtful one at that)!  I planned an afternoon of shopping for us; E. Dehillern (the fantastic kitchen supply store); the cheese shop; the chocolate shop; and then dinner.

We quickly realized that almost everything in Paris is closed on Sundays.  All of the shops I wanted to take Destiny's Journey to were closed.   Instead, we had lunch in one of my favorite neighborhood Brasseries (Le Nimrod) and walked through Luxembourg Gardens, where we sat and talked for a while.

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We opted for a light lunch.  I ordered the tateligelli with smoked salmon in a cream sauce, Destiny's Journey ordered the smoked duck salad and her boyfriend ordered a chef's salad.  We shared a carafe of rose among us.

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We spent the an afternoon in the park. Fearful of the French public toilets, I suggested that we make our way back toward my hotel for a drink, which we did, followed by dinner in the restaurant Lydie recommended, La Rimenet  Par for  the course, their food was excellent!  We began with n amuse bouche of warm potato soup and Kir Royale Aperitifs'. 

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As a first course, I ordered the Escargot in puff pastry, which they served like a napoleon with a side salad while Destiny's Journey indulged in the Fois Gras and her boyfriend skipped the appetizer.

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We ordered a delightful bottle of red Sancerre to accompany dinner,   Terre de Mainbray 2005 by Pascal and Nicolas Reverdy.

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As a main course, Destiny's boyfriend and I both ordered a very interesting lamb dish.  The chef took ground lamb and added lamb fat to it, and then cooked it like a patty.  Destiny ordered the prawns, which looked delicious.

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For desert, Destiny's boyfriend ordered the Crème Brulee while she and I indulged in a cheese plate of chevre, camembert, reblochon and Roquefort.

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By the time we finished dinner, fatigue hit me like a wall.  We flagged a cab and said our goodbyes.  I am sorry that we live so far.  I really enjoyed meeting Destiny's Journey and her boyfriend.  They were great fun.  I hope we have the opportunity to do it again soon.

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Today, I will visit E. Dehillern and then make my way to the airport for the long journey home.