After an incredibly enjoyable four days at San Sebastian I went to Bordeaux. There's only one hostel in Bordeaux so I had to book into a hotel: no problem though, to be honest I was actually looking forward to getting a few decent nights sleep.
After I checked in I explored Bordeaux. Its a pretty place that reminded me a lot of New Orleans.
[pic: A cool water fountain thing in Bordeaux]
[pic: Bordeaux again]
There was also a food festival on and all the restaurants in town all set up tent in the main street so I was spoiled for choice as to where to go. Unfortunately none of the menus were in English but in the end I was able to order a steak and some red wine (the steak was average but the red wine was amazing). After that it was home James for a good nights sleep.
Unfortunately for me the hotel, although comfortable, was sweltering hot and had no air conditioning. The water from the taps was also warm so I didn't have the option of having a cold shower to cool off. Even worse, outside the hotel was a fountain that got lit up at night. However most of the light also shone directly into my room!
Let me tell you it was horrific. Needless to say what followed was perhaps the worst nights sleep of my life. At four in the morning I decided that I wanted out, so I booked myself into another hotel for the next night (even though I'd paid for the second nights accommodation in advance at the first hotel).
By the morning I was hot, tired and frustrated. I then went to check out, wondering whether the lady behind the counter spoke English:
"Bonjour monsieur" the lady behind the counter said.
"Bonjour. Parlez-vous Anglais?"
"yes"
I was in business.
"I'm staying in room 116. I've booked for two nights but I'd like to check out now please"
"pardon?"
"I've booked for two nights but I'd like to check out now please"
"ohh, oui. So how many nights would you like to stay?"
"no no. I'm checking out"
This went on for a while: her English was average and my french was non-existent!
Eventually she understood and printed off another bill (despite me insisting that I'd already paid; in the end I had to dig up my receipt and give it to her to prove it). I also said that I needed to pay for breakfast (a complete rip off at 8 euros) and she asked whether I wanted breakfast tomorrow morning as well!
"no no no no no. I'm checking out now, I won't be here tomorrow"
"but do you want breakfast tomorrow?"
"I'm not going to be here tomorrow! I'm going forever!"
"oh, pardon, my English is not very good."
"thats okay"
In the end I though we had it sorted and I "checked out" only for her to say "see you tonight". Then we had to start all over again!
Grrrrrr
My next hotel was terrific; albeit out a little bit in a dodgy neighbourhood.
Bordeaux is a nice place but here is my advice if you go there: spend extra and stay at the best hotel you can find right in the heart of the city. Trust me on this one.
From there my frustrations grew as my train was delayed (or retard, in French) by 2.5 hours. This meant that I missed my next train in Toulouse and had another long wait (naturally I didn't get a refund on what I'd paid for the ticket of the train that I missed). Then my next train got delayed!
My scheduled arrival in Marseille was 6pm and I ended up getting in at past midnight. So frustrating times indeed...
Marseille is an okay place but its a bit dodgy. I was always looking over my shoulder as trouble felt like it was close by. That day I tried to go to the prison island in the centre of the bay. (the Alcatraz of Europe) Its called Chateau d'if (I think anyway) and was the prison from the book, and later movie, The Count of Monte Christo. I say "tried" as I accidentally got off at the wrong island (the announcements were all in French so I thought I'd follow the crowd, wrongly assuming that they'd all be going to the prison!) Although I went to the wrong place I had a good time at the other island and got some cool pictures which I hope to post on here as soon as I can.
[pic: the view from the main train station in Marseille]
[pic: the view od the harbour. As I found out Chateau d'if is the island on the left...]
I'm currently in Nice and am loving it! It really is a nice place (hehe). Had my first swim in the Mediterranean which was awesome. The stones on the beach were less awesome but at least the water was warm and the sun is out! The hostel here is great as well so it should be a fun, relaxing few days.
[pic: Ahhhh, Nice...]
Anyway got to go, happy hour at the hostel is about to start....
Anthony
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