Paris to Cherbourg

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

   We were excited to arrive in Paris and get off the train. We had about a 25 minute delay but it was not a problem as we allowed plenty of time to transfer from Paris l’Est to Paris Saint Lazare train station.

   I wrote down two different ways to get to the Saint Lazare station and I am glad I did. While we saw the metro line 4 listed on signs, we did not see the direction we needed to go. Therefore we chose to take metro line number 7 for 5 stop and change to line number 3 at the Opera station. From there, Saint Lazare was only 2 stops away.

   We found a place to buy the metro (subway) tickets but then struggled to get through the turn stiles with luggage and a stroller. It was clearly impossible. There was a gate behind the turn stile that opened only once you went through the turn stile. There was no way to slide a suitcase under the turn stile. Steve went through the turn stile first and we were trying to get the suitcases over to him when a French speaking gentleman came by and showed us a gate for people with strollers and luggage. It was locked and he called someone. We had no idea what they were saying but it sounded like they were arguing. We got the impression they did not want to come unlock the gate. But a man showed up to unlock it and let us through. Once they unlocked the gate, the man who called for help just said good bye, we thanked him and he walked away.

   We took the escalator down but further down we had to walk down regular stairs. Someone stopped and helped me carry the stroller. At first we were apprehensive about this since our experience with the gypsies in Rome but no, this guy was just simply being nice.

   Our train arrived and we had hard time getting everyone on fast enough. A couple of people helped hold the door open while we got on. It was surprising to get this much help in a large city. We certainly have not experienced nice, friendly people like this in Rome or Prague (rather otherwise).

   We made our transfer and arrived at Saint Lazare station about an hour before our departure. The only sit down place to eat we could find was again Burger King. So we had another hamburger lunch. It was conveniently located right across from the platforms and we found a plug so that Stevie could play his game for a little while.

   Our train was announced about 20 minutes before the departure time. We got on and found our seats. This time the train was opened and we had 4 seats facing each other. We also had power plugs so the kids could watch a movie and play on the ipad.

   We enjoyed the view of the French country side and arrived in Cherbourg at 3:25 PM as scheduled. Our hotel was supposed to be right across the street from the train station and it was. The room was basic, but clean and comfortable. Compared to the last night on the train, it looked like heaven.