A day In Lyon - Mars 24

As if traveling through cities scattered with functioning structures from four, five... eight centuries ago were not striking enough for a couple of Yankees used to the about-a-hundred-year-old variety, Lyon brought us and our imaginations back even further and up up up to Fourvière and the site of the original Roman settlement of Lugdunum.

Nike

The site dates back to "early B.C." years (the 50s?), with two outdoor theaters for the public to explore-- and even listen to performances on some nights it seems--plus remains of many homes, shops and other buildings-- only some closed off.

We'd donned warm jackets when we left Audrey and Laurent's, but before we were halfway up the hill of montee l'Observance, we started layering off, and by the time we were climbing the stairs to the last bit up we were enjoying the sunshine of Lyon with bare arms. 

Afterward visiting the Gallo-Roman theaters, the we meandered over to the Basilica of Notre Dame Fourviere and took in the view of the city. Tile roofs being de rigueur, clay-red stretches off into the distance.

Taking a funicular back down the hill (think cable attached to a subway car moved up/down a very steep hill) we found a cafe with seating in the sun, an IPA and a busker duo singing (in French, of course!) nearby. A very good, relaxing afternoon.

Later, we shopped a la Francais, going to the boulangerie for bread, the formagerie for cheese, the bucherie for poulette, a shop for vin, one for greens, eggplant, onion, etc., and made dinner for our hosts Audrey and Laurent--two wonderful people who encouraged us early on to spend an extra day in their city. 

It was also in Lyon where we learned of the German airline crash--tragic, angering, heartbreaking -- a stark reminder of how temporary our time is and a good validation of why we are doing, what we are doing, right now.