I survived France!!!

Whew! What a day!!! We boarded the 'luxury' bus (it was nice...complete with coffee for 80 Euro cents per cup...and a toilet on board) at 5am yesterday. Rode for 5 hours thru Belgium and into France to Lille, to the biggest antique market in western Europe! It was huge! And, at the same time, there was a marathon going thru...lol! Then was dropped off at home at 12:30am...looooong day!

It was a nice day, dry but breezy, and there were many, many people...many were dutch speaking. I was very much struck when we were sitting at a cafe, outside, and there was a group of young men sitting next. The guy closest to me held up a cigarette, and said something in french. I indicated that I couldn't speak french, but I thought he was looking for a light. NOT AT ALL!!! He was asking (he said in broken, but still understandable, english) if I minded him smoking. I was VERY surprised...the french are not known for offering to bypass their smoking, plus, english was not very popular there for a very long time. The effects of the 'global community', I'm sure!!!!

Tuesday is The Hague, and then on to Switzerland...I wonder what surprises await!!!

Hugs, Kathi