Today’s drive to Carcassonne was beautiful, but by the time we arrived, we were ready to call it a day. I had planned to get to the hotel, kick back for a while, then head out to visit the walled city of Carcassonne at night. That didn’t happen.
As described in vivid detail last time, getting from Carcassonne’s city limits to our hotel had been problematic. Looking back, it wasn’t that big of a deal. We spent some time not being able to reach our hotel by car, but we knew we’d get there eventually.
That being said, the uncertainty, frustration, and stress of not knowing what you’re doing takes a toll. Now that I think of it, it’s not the stress of not knowing. It’s the stress of KNOWING that you’re not knowing.
Sure, I could blame the GPS Lady, our guide with the beautiful and ever so proper English accent, for our difficulties. I mean, with that accent, she exudes confidence and authority in the most elegant way. But I guess even our proper English GPS Lady can make mistakes.
Frazzled
When we finally checked in to the hotel, we were DONE. We weren’t going anywhere. Except to the hotel bar, of course. Our hotel, Les Chevaliers, had a small bar and a restaurant where we could have dinner.
We had a nice view of the walled city of Carcassonne from our balcony. That would be as close as we’d get to it on this trip. But we’ve been here before. We were OK with just seeing it from the outside.
On our previous visit to Carcassonne, we went inside, wandered around, and had lunch at one of the restaurants there. It was a great experience. Carcassonne is awesome. And lunch was great.
Someday I’d like to stay at one of the hotels inside the city walls. Carcassonne is said to be at its best in the morning and at night, when most visitors have moved on. I’ve read that visiting during popular vacation times can be rough because of the crowds.
Dinner
When traveling in France, we almost never dine in our hotel. There are too many restaurants to check out. And in France, it’s hard to go wrong when dining out. As far as I’m concerned, based on my little bit of traveling around, the French and the Italians have mastered the dining experience.
But on our one-night stopover in Carcassonne, we did have dinner in the hotel’s restaurant. I was prepared to be disappointed, but dinner was great.
I ordered a regional specialty called cassoulet. I don’t want this to become a recurring theme, but I might have to add cassoulet to my death-row last-meal request list.
Cassoulet is a casserole made with French white beans, chicken, sausage, and a duck leg. Overkill? Perhaps. Oh well!
A heavy dish like cassoulet is best enjoyed with an appropriate amount of red wine – something with a little heft of its own. Wine from the vineyards of Languedoc are perfect. It was a great meal.
I Oughta Be Able to Do This
We checked out in the morning. By this time, I figured I oughta to be able to successfully drive to the hotel. Traffic would be light in the morning. I’d go get the car and bring it around so we could pack it up and go.
Just like yesterday afternoon, I drove all the way around Centre Ville. And just like yesterday, I didn’t see the little alleyway I was supposed to turn into. I popped out on the other side of the hotel. Twice. Unbelievable.
But now I knew where the hotel was. And I knew it was just about 150 feet away, at the wrong end of a one-way street. I decided to back up all the way down the alleyway to the hotel.
It took a while. The whole time, an old geezer stood on the sidewalk watching me. Judging by the scowl, blank stare, and look of utter distain, he did not fully appreciate the inventiveness of my clever maneuver.
Made it! We loaded the bags and headed off for another day of whatever happens next.
To be continued…
