Train to Nancy

Today I took the high-speed TGV train from Paris east to Nancy, the site of the conference. The trip only took 90 minutes, on incredibly smooth tracks. Why don't we have trains like this in the U.S.?

Here are several TGV trains waiting at Gare d'est to leave for eastern France. My train was almost full, not just with tourists, but with many business people. The train itself is as nice as any jetliner -- actually, nicer!

The University is hosting the conference speakers at a beautiful little hotel tucked onto a side street. It apparently was a lovely townhouse long ago, and it is filled with historic touches, marble staircases, and elegant old furniture - along with free wifi and flatscreen cable TV in all the rooms.

Here is my view of the interior garden from an upper floor. No lift, alas.

Here is one of the interior hallways. It's even prettier in person.

It rained this afternoon, but I went for a little walk. This is the Porte de la Craffe, from the 14th century, part of the fortifications of the medieval city.

How authentically French is this! An outdoor cafe and a pastry shop where I picked up some mini-quiches and pastry.

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