Concluding Part 6 - Memories of Journey - Paris to Rome by Road
Dya 8
We had already packed our stuff the previous night and just kept one dress for each to wear in the morning before departure .
We were set to see Milan and a couple of more small Italian cities on the way back to Paris . Venice to Paris was a long drive around 14/15 hours. Milan was our overnight stopover point during our return trip . We had heard about four ‘ Fashion Capitals ‘ of the world - London , Paris , New York and Milan . We had already seen the previous three capitals and Milan was the only one left over . Venice to Milan drive was not a big deal , just about 270 Km and about a three and half hours drive . We almost reached there non stop except at one place for fueling . There we got out of the car and enjoyed cold drinks .
We checked into our hotel in Milan . Here we had an overnight stay . After a brief rest we came out and visited some naerby places . Milan is also called the financial capital of Italy , just like Mumbai in India . It has everything from art to fashion and industrial hubs .
We went to see the Milan Cathedral , also known as Duomo cathedral . It was a short distance . From there we hurried to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper , a famous painting of the greatest painter and artist Vinci .
This was all for this day . We went back to the hotel . On the way we picked up two large pizzas for our dinner .
Next morning we could hardly see the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the globally famous malls and shopping complexes. There were many things to see in Milan but our schedule was very tight .
We cut off any further wandering . I could see fatigue in my daughter , she has been driving daily 6 hours or even more . Both myself and my husband were amazed at her courage to plan such a long road trip single handedly . That's why most local trips were done by cab or bus or metro . We went back to the hotel .
One thing was very different in Italy or some other European states . European nations are usually very small as compared to the USA . One can travel from one country to other country in a short time e.g. Paris to Belgium in 90 minutes by train , or Paris to London 130 by train . Here small cars are also common but in the USA usually people own big cars and rail travel is not the common mode of transport . People prefer to travel by own car or by flights . In Italy we could see scooters also plying on the roads .
As per the original program we were supposed to leave Milan in the evening and after 3 hours we had planned to stay in a motel for the rest of night . But now we changed our plan and decided that Baby should not drive anymore today .
Day 9
Next morning as usual we left the hotel after breakfast , of course complimentary one . But bad luck was waiting ahead . Hardly had we left downtown and were on a freeway , that the rental car brokedown . It wasn't ready to budge an inch .
I said “ We had similar problems at the start of the trip and we are facing the same situation on the last leg of the journey . Paris was still almost 9 / 10 hours drive from here .
Again we were in the same situation , an Italian policeman came swiftly and pushed our car to the side to clear the road for traffic . Though other lanes were open even then they couldn't block one lane . A hauling trailer came and lifted the car on it with all of us sitting inside . We were taken to Hertz's car rental depot. The man there asked to hand over the car and said “ You can choose any of the cars from here for the rest of your journey . “
We were looking at each other . We told our daughter “ It's a boon in disguise . Let us avail it . Better you don't take any car . We will go back to Milan and take a flight or train to Paris . “
Initially she hesitated but we convinced her “ God really blessed you . You are too tired . It's better for you to avoid driving anymore . “
Conversation with people is not so easy in Europe , only a few countries speak English . With great difficulties my daughter could ask him “ What if we don't take the car anymore ? “
“ No problem Mam , just you have to pay a small amount either here or in our Paris office . I can help you drop by our service car to Milan , from there you can board a train or take a flight .“
We thanked him . We drove back to the outskirts of Milan in the service car provided by the company . We got accomodation in a hotel chain . Baby started searching for flights and trains for Paris . She asked us “ We can go either tonight or early in the morning . There are trains at night and in the day also . Switzerland is enroute to Paris but you can't see it as you don't have Swiss visa . If we travel by day train at least you would have glimpses of beautiful Switzerland . “
My daughter booked online tickets for Paris for the morning train leaving Milan at 6 am .Accordingly a cab was booked . We left the hotel in the wee hours . We boarded the train at Milan Porta Garibaldi station . There was almost nominal immigration clearance . A conductor stood at the gate of our coach and asked for our passport . My and my husband’s passports were besieged by her . She said “ As you don't have Swiss visa , we are just holding your passport . You will get them back after crossing Swiss border . “
My daughter had a valid Swiss visa so she was spared . Anyway, we took our seats in a second class coach . It had a table for four passengers but fortunately no other passenger had booked in that coupe. We were free to enjoy some extra space. We decided to have lunch in Paris itself as Indian food was not available on the train . Also food was free only for first class passengers . We had already spent one more day in the hotel so we thought we would be more budget minded . We had some snacks and cans of soft drink and half litre bottles of drinking water . It was a 7 hour journey but we decided to manage with whatever was in our carry ons .
After some time the train entered Switzerland . We could see through the window glass a beautiful panoramic view of Swiss mountains and also some of Swiss villages . We missed Swiss tour due to the absence of Swiss visa. Our agent told us “ Had you given me 2 more days , I could have managed your swiss visa also . But it was not in our fortune but we were happy to have what we had . Our train reached Paris Gare de Lyon station around 1 pm . That was the end of our trip to Italy .
We came out of the Paris Gare de Lyon hassle free . She was told that the car was ready for pickup . So we got a cab and went to the garage to pick up the car . Within an hour we were back at her apartment in Fontainebleau .
We had our return tickets for India the next day at night .Baby had ordered for home delivery of Indian food for both lunch and dinner . Lunch was already there and dinner was expected at 6 pm . It was already late for lunch . After taking a brief rest , we finished our lunch . My daughter and I started packing for an upcoming flight . There was not much stuff to be packed . Most of our clothes were already packed . A few more clothing and some books were packed in suitcases to be checked in .
Next my daughter went to return the leased car to the Estrogen’s leasing office . The company cleared her swiftly and arranged for her to drop off back to the apartment .
Day 10
My daughter’s next task was to hand over the apartment to the apartment leasing office . She asked someone from the leasing office to check the apartment and clear it for handing over . Key will be handed over in the evening . The leasing office was very cooperative and the whole process was over in the afternoon .
My daughter handed over the apartment around 6 pm . By that time dinner was also delivered . We decided to have dinner at the airport . We called a cab and left for Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris . On way to the airport my daughter said “ Sorry , mama and papa I could not take you to Monte Carlo . “
“ What you have done for us was beyond our imagination , it was more than we had thought . “ both me and my husband said at the same time
“ Yes , but with some sweet and some bitter memories as the car troubled us both in the beginning and in the end . “ my daughter said
“ So what , on the whole it was very sweet . All's well that ends well . “
A couple of hours later we were flying back to India , our sweet homeland .
The end
