Above - the view over Lyon at night from the Youth Hostel.I met Aimee at Saint Charles Train Station at 13h45. We were catching the 14h05 train to Lyon to go on holiday for a few days. The train was on time and we arrived at Lyon Part Dieu Train Station at 17h34. There were lots of Manchester United supporters at the station as Lyon were playing Manchester United in the first leg of the Champions' League knockout stages at Le Stade de Gerland in Lyon. We made our way to the front of the station to catch the number 28 bus as the guide book said. We asked the driver of the number 28 who said we needed the number 99. We got on the number 99 and the driver said we needed the last stop for the Youth Hostel which was on the other side of town to the station in 'vieux Lyon' (the old part of town). About three quarters of the way towards the last stop the bus went to turn right and the road was closed. There were police whizzing by, van after van packed with officers, sirens blaring. Everyone had to get off the bus as it was terminating early due to the road closure. We asked for directions to the Youth Hostel and began walking the length of the closed road. It was whilst walking the length of the closed road we realised why it was closed. The Manchester United supporters had taken over a 'special' bus that had presumably been put on especially for them. They were shouting and screaming and foot stomping and all sorts. All the vans of police we'd seen were going to contain the Manchester United supporters. It was discraceful behaviour. We were ashamed to be English (well, Aimee's Scotish... We were ashamed to be English speakers - anything that might relate us to the football hooligans, sorry, I mean supporters) and extremely pleased not to be from Manchester! We eventually found the Youth Hostel. It was at the top of a very very very steep hill. Amazing views but still - a very steep hill. There was a man riding a bike up it! Self torture! Give me a plate of broccoli anyday! When we arrived we checked in and went to our room. We were in room 8. Each room sleeps 6 and has a washbasin. There are 4 rooms on a corridor with 2 bathrooms. The Youth Hostel was quite big - it sleeps 180. There was a room for eating/watching the tv. A room with views over the town, a laundrette, reception. Our room was empty when we arrived, so we unpacked our things and went out in search of something to eat. We found a vietnamese restaurant in the old part of Lyon just at the bottom of the hill from the Youth Hostel. It was a lovely restaurant. When we walked in it was like walking into someone's house. It had a lovely cosy feel to it and smelt delicious. We shared a starter of vegetable spring rolls and then I had a vegetable noodle dish that was lovely. As it was vietnamese we had chopsticks which aren't that easy to eat with! I managed to eat the spring roll with them but when it came to the noodle meal I had to use the fork and spoon. If I hadn't have done I think I would still have been there now! After the meal we went back to the Youth Hostel and showered. The shower was good, only one complaint - you had to either hold the button down all the time for a continuous flow of water or keep pressing the button as every 5 seconds the water cut off. After the shower we went to sleep but as there was only warm water in the room it made teeth brushing an interesting experience...
Above - eating with chopsticks.
