DAY 182 - Close Call on Ryanair

Sept 17 - Dublin to Paris....train to safe Bayeux

We had enjoyed our time in Great Britain, but we were anxious to explore the last three countries out of the 32 on our list.  Unfortunately our 180th day wasn't until today, so we weren't allowed to enter them until now.  France, Portugal, and Spain are all part of the Schengan Treaty and one cannot visit longer than 90 days within a 180 period.  We had already visited the European countries for that amount of time.  It's a confusing law, but we wanted to obey it and not have our passport taken away or get shipped back home.

3 weeks to visit 3 countries - IMPOSSIBLE!!  We flew into Paris and said, "Hi - we'll be back in a few days...be nice weather for us!"

Paul was so kind to take us to the airport.  He was the greatest host and we shall really miss him!

When we got to the security check-in, we put the boarding pass through the scanner and it kept rejecting it.  They hurried us off to the authority's desk.  He immediately said, "You're at the wrong airport - you need to leave."  We looked at each other - WHAT?  How do we get to another airport; we'll miss our plane; how can this happen?  With further investigation, Rich realized he had grabbed an earlier flight's paper by mistake (2 weeks old), so he searched for the new one for Paris.  He found it - WHEW!

We don't actually land right in Paris - a little ways out.

If you know anything about Ryanair, there are some horror stories.  They have many rules and regulations.  I explained some of them in an earlier post about their weight restrictions of carry-ons.  Our backpacks were not to weigh more than 10 kilo - 22 lbs.  Our luggage had to fit in a small sample box they had there.  You cannot carry anything else on - no purse, no camera, etc. etc.  We had triple layers of clothes on, a jacket, and our coat, so our luggage wouldn't be overweight.  Our pockets held many items, too. (Rich was carrying about 3 kilos on his body).  You have to print your boarding pass ahead and you can't fold it in half.  There are fines for everything if it is not met.  If luggage is over, you pay 60 euros more and it must be checked in.  So, we get to the gate and hand them our passports.  Rich is put in one line and I go to another.  He goes right through, but the guy says to me, "Didn't you read this part?  I look at the teeny tiny print without my glasses.  What?  "You have to have a stamp downstairs on this piece of paper if you have a passport.  You cannot go through.  You must get it beforehand.  Didn't you read it?"   I then remember that was something I had read, but because we had checked in online a couple of weeks previously, I had forgotten.  I think I turned gray and by then Rich came over and wondered what was happening.  There was a long line behind me and maybe I looked old or scared or something so the guy said, "We'll let it go this time, but you better not let it happen again." 

After going a little way down the ramp, the two girls behind us, who happened to be Americans from California, said we were REALLY lucky he was in a good mood.  They had just spent an evening in the airport because they had done the same thing.  They ran with their backpacks back down to the entrance of the airport, got the stamp, went through security again (long line), and ran back, but they told them it was too late and would have to get another flight.  It cost them each $200 more and they had to wait til the next day to fly.  Horror story!  I'm sure glad I had said my prayers that morning. 

 Good old Ryanair (headquarters right here in Dublin) - they might be cheap, but there are so many rules you have to abide by.

We breathed a sigh of relief as we almost didn't get on this flight.  WHEW!

 We had been told that the French do not speak English or won't speak English.  They expect you to know their language.  That was true with the people at the airport and when we arrived to catch a bus to go to Paris.  Finally, we found the correct connection and we were off to bustling, busy Paris.

Onto a busy train to go to Bayeux, near Normandy beaches.

Train station in Paris - it was crazy with all kinds of crazy people and police EVERYWHERE!

 It was difficult finding out where to make the right connections and no one was speaking English.  From the beginning, I was unsure about Paris or France.  I really just wanted to go home now.  Forget the last three weeks!

I made a new friend who comforted me - thank you Froggie!

 We finally arrived in Bayeux and to our host's home.  They were a young couple living in downtown Bayeux in a renovated flat that her parent's owned.  They were the sweetest!

 We walked down the street to where her parent's lived.  They had invited us to dinner and what a beautiful evening we had with all of them.  Their house was part of an aristocratic place built in the 18th century.   The King of England used to come to parties that were hosted here a couple of hundred years ago. LOTS of history!  It was a gorgeous home with a beautiful courtyard. Byrcia and Yann were the most gracious hosts. 

He spoke English well, but she was still learning.

We were offered tea and treats before dinner, since the French don't eat til late.

Their dog thinks he wants some, too.

I loved this divinity!  It reminded me of my mother's that she would make at Christmas.

I now have another friend who cheered me up!

The parlor was just beautiful!

Brycia and her daughter, Aude, set out to make us all dinner.

Yann was so energetic, with tons of stories to tell us, his new American friends.

Dinner is served!

Oops - almost forgot the food picture.  Scrumptious chicken & mushrooms over risotto.

The stay in Bayeux is going to end up being one of our favorites in Europe!

What a beautiful couple!  We are Aude & Quentin's 1st couch-surfers.

Wish we had more than two days here to really get to know this amazing couple!

Looking out their gate to a late night.

What an absolute delightful evening with this foursome!  Bayeux is only four miles from the English Channel.  It is in Normandy, so there is a lot of history here, especially from my parent's lifetime and WWII.  Aude and Quentin will take us to the beaches of Normandy tomorrow on a most unforgettable excursion.  (Unfortunately, we didn't get ANY pictures of their cute little flat and our couch/bed.)  Sweet dreams with Mr. Froggie!