Cityguyyoga’s Weblog

We are just back from the 2008 European Yoga Festival, and has a wonderful time, (apart from a few tasteless sexist jokes at the expense of the men there) and on the journey back we drew up a list of forget-me-knots for next year, to save us (and you) time, money, and make our stay a little more pleasurable. In our case, we are traveling from London. Here is the list:

• Check the difference between Bureau de Change FX rates and what your Bank charges you to withdraw cash abroad. Withdrawing cash from an ATM in France may be cheaper. There is an ATM at Blois, but it’s at the bottom of a steep hill beside the Hotel Etap, so get your Euros in Paris or London.
• If you are planning on traveling light, then the Eurostar is the only way to go, otherwise, car with camping gear is recommended. Everyone we met seems to thing that flying from London to France is a no-no.
• Book the Eurostar  cross channel train from London to Paris at least 3 – 4 months ahead to guarantee cheap tickets. Worst cast senario, a single way ticket can cost up to £154 (in 2008 ) each way, but if you purchase online, and early you can get return tickets for as little as £59 return (they sell out quick).
• Take the Paris Metro M5 from Gare De Nord to Gare D’Austerlitz. You can get the directions here
• Get 2 single way Metro tickets on the way to the festival to save queuing on the way back
• Arrive early to get the (free) bus from Bloise to Château de Fondjouan, or you could be paying up to €40 for a taxi before 7pm or up to €80 after 7pm
• At the Blois train station, we all carried our luggage down the subway, under the tracks and back up again, and didn’t spot the ramp across the tracks until we were waiting for the train. Save yourself some heavy lifting by waking to the end of the platform and across the tracks at the ramp
• There are no ATM machines at Château de Fondjouan so if you are planning on spending some time at the bazaar, be prepared to spend a little extra. Some vendors may accept Cheques or Credit Cards, but this is the exception and not the rule.
• You can buy cups of Yoji Tea for €1.50 a cup, or you can get a full flask for free in the afternoon. 
• There are loads of Nokia rechargers (for video, not calls I hope) and iPod rechargers, so pool them and leave a few extra cables at home
• Always be early for breakfast, or you could have a very ‘light’ breakfast. 

Tips for traveling light:

•  You will need utensils and crockery for your food. However it’s easier to rent a there for a few euro. Save some space and leave your crockery behind.
• If you need a support, get a foam board rather than those bean bags, as the bean bags are a lot heavier.