LYON!

We left Le Vernay and coasted down to Lyon. At the juncture of two rivers, the Rhône and the Sâone, Lyon was a powerful strategic site in medieval Europe. There was prolific silk production and a dynamic weaving industry. And today it is an economic center and tourist hub.

Arriving at our Airbnb rental, the delightful Sandra, and her lovely shepherd mix Nouba welcomed us. We stayed in a tidy little studio with a closed courtyard where LuLu had free rein. She and Nouba spent a lot of time playing the approach/avoidance game and finally decided to ignore each other.

But, one goal of the visit to Lyon was to find a vet and get a European passport for LuLu. We had been told that entry into Switzerland might be difficult since they aren’t in the European Union. Sandra referred us to her vet, who, HAPPILY, had an appointment available the next afternoon! Background: LuLu came to France and the EU with a substantial dossier, assembled through Donna’s foresight and persistence, but was advised, nevertheless, to get LuLu a international pet passport (IPP, for sure).

Taking a taxi into Vieux Lyon, we met a driver who was born in Algeria, but raised in France. We discussed the difficulties that immigrants have in France, which mirror the difficulties in the US. He said that it didn’t matter how many diplomas one has, or how qualified one is, the job will always go to the French person. Frustrating for him, but he is raising three children in Lyon, with the hope that things will improve for them.

After a lunch in Vieux Lyon (Salade Lyonnaise for Donna – another FAVE), we headed out to wander the medieval cobblestone streets. We found a print shop that carried vintage maps and bought a lovely old original that included Beaune, Cluny and Lyon! We have several vintage maps from other trips and pay a bit of tribute to Rik, Sam’s dad, with this collection. Always happy to add a new one!

Next, we headed to the vet office. LuLu was her perfectly well-behaved self. We were interviewed (in French) by a woman we thought was the vet, who seemed to come up with many difficulties around getting a European Pet Passport for LuLu. One being that most countries would require that she have a blood titre done 100 days after the rabies shot. A blood titre drawn at the office that administered the shot. Since that is in Oakland, we explained that that was not possible. She finally left the office and came back with the actual VET, who looked at our paper work for entry into the EU, and declared that all LuLu would need is a Certificate of Health, which she was happy to provide. LuLu got an exam and Dr. Cluzel signed the certificate. We gave them 50€ and Bob’s Your Uncle!

The next day was spent wandering. One complication of traveling with LuLu is that only one of us can go into a museum at a time. So Sam did a little museum tour and LuLu and Donna found an air conditioned café and some sparkling water! We visited a shop where they continue the Lyon tradition of silk making and watched a woman paint a huge swath of silk. Then some pragmatic activities like shopping for food!

Here are some sights from the neighborhood where we stayed. We were only a few blocks from the Sâone and had a Patisserie/Café a couple of blocks away.

Re banking: When Sam went online to top up our pre-paid phones, it seems that it will cost about 30€ a month for unlimited talk and text, gigabytes of data – which seems pretty reasonable, especially if Donna opts for a Free Phone (voice only, we think). So we are not pursuing a French bank account. If we need one, we will pursue it further in St Rémy where we have an address and a landlady.

Next we are heading to Geneva, where Donna attended her junior year of college. We are looking forward to some auld lang syne here!

Love to all,

Sam, Donna & LuLu

June 18, 2019