I'm writing this in the plane and I can finally feel the tension drain out of my body.
I'm an organizer. I put everything in imaginary boxes and tick them off. I need everything well prepared before I travel.
The trauma of getting to my Hotel in Strasbourg without a functioning GPS made me even more aware of the difficulties. It was indeed very stressful for this '60 something' gal.
I checked the GPS, it was working just fine, I actually went into the GPS company and double checked everything for it to function on my iPad an it has done for some time.
I prepared the route. I needed to fill the tank with gas and the airport was just 18 kms from my hotel. It was working just fine. I checked it again this morning.
I decided to leave around 9.00 to give myself plenty of time, just in case the airlines had another hiccup. I had 1 km to go to the gas station.
The GPS lit up fine and she began talking to me…. "Thank you" I replied. Down two streets, round the corner and another, and another and she froze. Of course I was on a highway that I couldn't get off off. I kept going until I could turn off, then of course you need to get out of the traffic and get a park… No easy feat. I was lost.
Oh well, I will use my phone and google maps like I did previously.
No Signal the phone said.
After all the preparation, could this really be happening again?
I drove looking for somewhere to stop and ask directions. I ended going down the wrong way in a hospital car-park. A man shouted at me and I stalled the car. Tears were not far off, but I talked sternly to myself and got on with it. I thought if I could get back to the Hotel they could print me a map or I could ring Hertz and tell them to pick up their car.
At this stage. I just didn't care… I just wanted to get to the airport. I'll go by Taxi.
I stopped again and then to my surprise I found I was near the gas station I was looking for. Whew… at least I could fill up, that was one job completed.
I gained directions back to the hotel from the assistant behind the counter and I took off again. Get on Highway 35…… but when I saw the sign 'Paris' I knew I was going the wrong way.
The problem in the city is that when you get onto a highway, you can't get off and when you do, where are you… no phone, no backup.
I was about to go into a local business and ask directions when suddenly the GPS started talking to me. She made sense and willing her to stay on, I asked her directions back to the hotel. She did well for 5 minutes and then went on strike again.
I swore.
Lost again and driving on a freeway to nowhere I suddenly looked in disbelief when I saw that I was actually going in the directions to the airport.
I saw a plane on a sign.
I followed it nervously, got into the airport, went round 5 times till I found the rental car turnoff. Of course I knew how to spell it in french, I had practiced it… but it was in such small letters, I missed it.
I ended up in the police car park for a while and then I took off again and found Hertz.
Looking at my watch I had less than 45 mins till the plane left, it had taken me 2 1/2 hours of travel to go 18 kms.
I as so thrilled to get rid of that car.
I checked in and then I could relax.
As I write this I'm in the place I'm supposed to be, sitting quietly on a plane with someone else driving me.
From now on no more hire cars in foreign countries. That's got whiskers on it.
6 hours later and I have been hrough Amsterdam, where I had to run to catch the next flight, then flown back down to Nice where I'm waiting to go to Rome.
I did have an hour to sit quietly in a coffee shop, photograph the most beautiful scarf I've ever seen, buy a small quiche and coffe and spend half an hour watching people and drawing.
Aaah.
Note to self, Do not hire a car in a foreign country – even if you think you can.
Note to self, do not travel Air France again even if you have to go to France via England.
Note to self, just stick to being a quilt, photographer and teacher.
Oh except for visiting the Carribean and Africa after Houston… Oh I almost for Mexico etc.
The life of a traveling quilter.
I ust know I would have been in tears over all the problems you have had with this trip. Well done you for holding it all together!
Oh that feeling of panic. Been there done that. I only hire a car IF there is someone else with me, then we can both panic. No, I speak enough German to get by and Bill speaks fairly good French but I know that horrible feeling. Sometimes it helps just to have a good cry. Remember when I lost my passport in Paris? I had a good cry then. Keep safe. Hugs.
Oh Pam what a fiasco, but glad you got through it and you are safe ‘n’sound. Safe trip.
It’s so awful getting lost in a foreign country. I feel for you!
that’s why you should always travel with me! 🙂
What a trial! I’d say, hire cars when you can get an automatic tranny, stay away from manual. You’re on your way-breathe deep and relax. Maybe Jim West is right-can you do your arrangements through him?
Whew, glad that is behind you. Next time hire the driver and let him worry about the car and the directions. Stay safe my friend.
Oh my! What a trial! I’m glad you are in a more peaceful frame of mind now. But high-five for driving yourself in another country! Brave woman, you are.
Thanks Carol…. we need to have dinner together, to Chat.
Cheers Pam
Eileen, the problem is they don’t have automatics here… not for hire anyway.
Jim and I will be busy at the end of the year so more adventures to come, we only need to worry about lions an elephants.
Pam Holland
I do honey. Lots.
Pam Holland
Oh. Linda, its behind me now… just one of those things, but thanks.
Pam Holland
Lynne, I’m relaxing
Pam Holland
I remember that honey… you forgot where you put it. I was panicking too.
Pam Holland
Sally, bless your heart. Thanks. Its just the way it is. One forgets pretty soon.
Pam Holland
You can’t beat a mud map! Glad you made it safely. What you are doing is training for the Amazing Race.
Dear Pam. Hope you remember me. Ed and I think of you often. I think Jim is right. Stick close to him. Safe travels. Are you coming to Washington again? Would love to reconnect with you and Keith. Ed and Jan Bryaneandjbryan@aol.com
Ed and Jan, of course I remember you with great fondness.
No plans to go to Washington…. life is in a package until 2017 now, but you never know.
Lets keep in touch though.
Cheers Pam Holland
Pam Holland
Tutor, Author, Illustrator, Designer, Judge, Photographer, Textile Artist, Quilter.
Author of The amazing Alphabet and 1776, Heartache, Heritage and Happiness.
Nominated for ICAP 2014 Professional Teacher of the Year.
email: pamholland3@mac.com
Blog: http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com
web page: http://pamhollanddesignsandproductions.com
Candy, I don’t know what I’m training for but whatever it is…. it has a lot of possibilities.
Pam Holland
Tutor, Author, Illustrator, Designer, Judge, Photographer, Textile Artist, Quilter.
Author of The amazing Alphabet and 1776, Heartache, Heritage and Happiness.
Nominated for ICAP 2014 Professional Teacher of the Year.
email: pamholland3@mac.com
Blog: http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com
web page: http://pamhollanddesignsandproductions.com
Yes, the CDG Paris airport and highways are confusing…especially the numerous 8-way roundabouts! I was lucky to get a rental car with GPS built-in (it was their car & European GPS so it I figured it would surely work!) & wonderful Hertz madamoiselle programmed it to speak in English. Had a lovely country drive from Paris to Giverny and Monet’s house, gardens and paintings then had an airport hotel room for the night so I was close by. Did a test drive the night before from hotel to that same (& ONLY!) gas station to the airport & Hertz.
Phew!! What a stomach wrenching ordeal !!! Thank providence for a vital word from the GPS. I haven’t driven in France, but UK has some purlers of roundabouts!!!
Enjoying you photos so much!! thanks & lots of love,
Noel
Noel, it was an attack on the senses to say the least.
I’m going to review the GPS system now.
Pam Holland
Tutor, Author, Illustrator, Designer, Judge, Photographer, Textile Artist, Quilter.
Author of The amazing Alphabet and 1776, Heartache, Heritage and Happiness.
Nominated for ICAP 2014 Professional Teacher of the Year.
email: pamholland3@mac.com
Blog: http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com
web page: http://pamhollanddesignsandproductions.com