From Calm to Chaos

Today’s challenge is to travel from London to Geneva, via Paris.

0500 The alarm goes off. It takes a moment to realise that I need to get up and pack. NOW! My head! Not the worst but definitely worse for wear after last night out with Alan. Lots of fun though.

I manage to pack but still need separate bag. Might have fitted with expansion but feeling too shady to try. Hope it will be ok.

0630 Check-out of hotel and in taxi.

0700 Have got through passport control.  Just waiting for train now. Argh! Feel very shady.

0752 On board. Space for my large suitcase and plenty of space for my small bags. Nice seat with plenty of room. It’s a single seat but on the 2 seat side. So, a space next to me. That’s a huge relief. Standard premium.

0801 Depart. Feeling unexpectedly excited.

Continental breakfast. Enough to keep me going.

0950 Emerge from the Chunnel.

26 degrees and clear in Paris.

1120 Arrive.

1130 Waiting for taxi. Lots of people waiting. Glad I allowed more time. Big argument between taxi driver and taxi ramp attendant.

1219 Arrive Gare de Lyon. About 20 euros.

I grab a sandwich and drink then make my way to the lounge. I wouldn’t have made my original connection, but now I have 2 hours until my next train. Seems to be running on time.

First time I’ve been a significant amount of time in a non-English speaking place for quite some time. A bit daunting but I seem to be managing so far.

1300 Train is cancelled. Email arrives in French. I eventually get explanation. Chaos! I feel so helpless.

After nearly two hours of total confusion I gather one option is to get a train to Lyon and then hope I can get a local train to Geneva. Seems my best bet as the ticket machines show no more trains to Geneva from Paris today and tomorrow’s seem to be booked out already.

1455 On train to Lyon. Will then try smaller train to Geneva. I book ticket using the app to ensure I get a seat on the next train. Train announcements only in French now. No idea what is being said. Hope it’s not important.

1703 Arrive.

Lots of trains cancelled on departures board including earlier trains to Geneva. Too early for mine to show. Might be spending the night here. I look on a couple of booking apps and hotel websites but can’t find any available rooms!

35 degrees here.

After a scare when the departure board went empty, my train is now up and just delayed by 30 min. Fingers are crossed.

1855 Now delayed 50 min. Nervous.

1925 Departed. Initially standing room only.

1949 First stop and many get off. Am able to sit down. Lucky cause my legs were shaking.

2013 I think we’re half way and traveling through steep cliffs with lots of vegetation. 

2119 We cross the Swiss border.

2135 Arrive.

I can’t understate how terrifying today was. For a while it looked very likely I would be stranded in Lyon and finding accommodation was looking hard. I felt SO helpless. What would have happened if there was no train? In the end I just had to make a decision and hope for the best with little way of verifying. I need to factor in being stranded in my planning in future and try to minimise situations where that might happen. Or at least ensure it would be in a major city. Just relieved that it didn’t come to that.

2230 Bed!