France has an amazing public transportation system and the trains are super. And more importantly train travel is "forgiving."For me this means "what is the worst that can happen." I think that is an analogy to all my travel. I don't believe I'll ever be lost forever and if you're polite to people as you wander aimlessly, they WILL be polite back.
A couple of years ago I took the train from Paris to the Loire Valley and I absolutely could not get off that train. The train would stop but I couldn't get the magic door to open. No one around to ask so I kept trying and missing. Took me three stops to figure out the incredibly easy system of opening that particular trains doors. By then I was way past my destination. Eventually, and it was only hours-not days, I made it to my destination. Had to take a country taxi cab part of the way. I actually still have the business card for that lovely and "no english spoken here" cab driver.
My point is get lost, panic a bit, and remember that there aren't too many tourists lost in french villages for months at a time. Unless, of course you want to be.
In preparation for my next trip I am reading two books by Ina Caro that focus on her organization of travel and history and blending those two. And no one seems to give advice on how to best visit a cathedral the way Mrs. Caro does. ( Hint- always bring binoculars)
There are both good reads and I highly recommend.
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