'Passing' Myself Around Europe

Gare de Lyon is situated just barely across the Seine on the right bank. After two metro transfers and 30 minutes I arrived in the main hall.

Typical European station. Built in 1900 of brick, iron, and cement. Casting a familiar design of stations of its time - centered around a clock-tower. Platforms entering on ground level, semi-exposed to weather. People, billions of them, rushing in the most disorderly fashion possible.

I journeyed to Gare de Lyon to purchase my EU-Rail pass. Good for two months. Five travel days. Three countries.

The pass will commence this Friday when Carolyn and I travel to Avignon for two days. Avignon is a small town situated within Provence, in the South of France. Bordered by the Rhône River and near the Mediterranean Sea. Most known for the Palais des Papes – where the popes lived during the 14th and 15th centuries.

France being the first of the three countries covered by my EU-Rail pass. Switzerland and Belgium the other two – these trips are yet-to-be booked.

Traveling around Europe has always been convenient with the wide train system. An extension of the network, which began in 1981, added high-speed trains. Averaging 200 mph. Making our Avignon 428 mile trip only 2.5 hours.

Zip!