Pain-a something hotel/motel DayDrill, rather, Daeidrill (I think I'm still spelling this wrong)

What a crazy,crazy first day.  My God. After leaving Le Saint Cochon, I went back to the apartment thinking M. was home.  Nope.  I rang and rang and realized, 'it ain't gonna happen'.  I headed to a building labeled, HOTEL and got a room for 64 Euros a night.  I figured, I'd get up and she'd be around.  I fell right to sleep  but let's back up to the restaurant.  I was about to be tipsy, so I stopped and finished my cake.  It was amazing.  31 Euros was my entire bill, including the wine and the tip.  One rarely tips in France, unless there is some change left over.

Can you imagine?  Me. Late.  On a street waiting for her to get home.  It was quite the site indeed.So I called Lyle and Irina because I wanted to hear a friendly voice.  Definitely comforting.  I called Cindy as well.  Of course, these silly things happen to ME:).  

I woke up the next morning and called the Alliance de Francaise in Lyon.  Turns out Mademoiselle M. was gone for a conference.  She had no way of getting a hold of me, she claims, but I faxed her my information, including my mobile number.  I almost blew a gasket at the Hotel Brittania, which luckily was around the corner from M's apartment.  I threw my head in my hands and almost started to cry.  I took a chance and called Y - the woman I met through the site Virtual Tourist.  I left a message with my dilemma and she called back within minutes. I was amazed.  

Y helped me by calling a series of hotels in Lyon, which I could have done, I suppose.  She found one at 36 Euros a night in a city just outside of Lyon.  That was a great rate and it gave me an opportunity to see other parts of the area, I suppose.  Y offered to DRIVE into the city, pick me and my things up and drive me to the next hotel.  Again, I was amazed.  

I was thankful for the hot shower that woke me up and cheered me up, but more happy that someone was taking the time to help me.  I came down from my room in time for Y to drive up.  One thing I noticed - she smoked alot.  I realized from these French that I will smell like smoke. Oh well.  As I write, I'm near the hotel bar and people are going to light up...

Off we went to check in, have some coffee and review maps.  I learned where I was, how to use the buses and overall travel tips in general.  From here, we went to the grocery store.  I walked around as she shopped and marveled at all the different goodies the place had.  I loved it. 

I'm going to my room, tired and this room is smokey.  More in the morning...