Wednesday, 13 September 2023
Checked out of the Bordeaux hotel this morning. (I'm not returning to Bordeaux, but if I were, I'd pick a different hotel for the next time.) Walked to the tram stop and took the tram to the train station. Caught the high-speed train (TGV) to Paris, then a subway from one Paris train station to another, then another high-speed train to Lille. I had enough time in the second Paris train station to get a burrito. Managed it all without using any English.
Walked to the hotel in Lille. It was only about a mile. It's a nice little place. And the first one of the trip to have air conditioning! Of course, the weather today is also the first day that doesn't need air conditioning.
Walked around the neighborhood to a little taco place for dinner. I've learned that in France, "taco" doesn't mean the same as it does in the US. French tacos are more like grilled burritos. Often with potatoes or fries inside along with meat and loads of cheese.
This taco shop didn't have kiosks for ordering, so I was gonna have to speak French. I figured out what I wanted from the menu board, and I think I did a decent job ordering. But I wasn't prepared for a follow-up question. I didn't understand what he was asking. I gave gestures/answers hoping that he was asking what size, or what I wanted to drink. When that didn't work I fell back on my well-practiced "Je ne parle pas bien Francais." He chuckled and shook his head. But he didn't speak English. Uh oh, this could get tricky. Fortunately, a DoorDash driver standing nearby came to my rescue. "Do you want that with chicken or beef?" Crisis averted.
It was a delicious taco. I appreciate the kindness of strangers, but I don't know that I like having to rely on them in order to eat. 🙂
Tomorrow: see more of Lille. And the France v. Uruguay match is tomorrow evening.
...doug
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