Monday: We have sailed to La Roche Guyon, only 30 minutes downriver from Paris. No reason they can’t have my bag to me by time of sailing at noon. Well, so I thought.
On the upside, what a lovely village. I have seen many many castles, chateaux, and churches on my cruises (dubbed ‘ABC cruises’ by an Aussie friend – another bloody church, another bloody castle etc…). But this place was stunning, and very different – as well as its long significance in France’s history, it was Rommel’s headquarters in the latter part of the war.
Then on to Vernon and Giverny. Again, not far from Paris, and plenty of time for the courier to find us (one would think).
It turns out there are three other women whose luggage hasn’t shown up. Like me, they are being tantalized with promises of next stop, next stop. They are with Air France, and as Uniworld booked their flights, the boat is following up. But the boat doesn’t seem to be getting any better results than I am, so . . .
The courier did phone me today and even though he clearly understood my French, he said an anglophone would call me back in 30 minutes. J’attends encore.
Vernon is a perfectly nice river town, with pretty little streets, half-timbered buildings, and of course, a church. I’ve decided I can go no longer in the same clothes I have been wearing since Saturday morning at 6am, so I’m going shopping.
It’s Monday. That may seem like a non sequitur to you, but for anyone who has ever spent time in a small European village, you will know that there is always a weekday where shops don’t open. Here, it is Monday. Splendid. Turns out there are two clothing shops and a Monoprix (supermarket) that are open, so I loaded up on socks, undies, and some outerwear. Of course, one of the shops only took cash, so I did have to go back to the boat for a debit card (it’s always something).
Every return to the boat is done with a sense of anticipation – every return is met with disappointment.
This evening was The Captain’s Welcome Gala – I rather self-consciously showed up in my ‘chic’ cheap new jeans, plain top, and my same old, same old hiking boots. But no matter what I had worn, I would have paled in comparison to the one socialite all in spangles and stilettos.
Tomorrow is Rouen – a big town near a highway – luggage will arrive tomorrow.