Arriving in Grenoble

I landed at Paris CDG in the morning. The immigration stamp line is way too long. Make sure you rush to it so that you have to wait for an hour at max. Just follow people from your flight. They will first go to a small train which takes you to the immigration line. There get your passport stamped with the date of arrival. Then claim your baggage. 

 

I was allowed 30kgs of baggage along with 7kgs cabin and laptop bag. If you have change of flights make sure the first airport gives you a sticker of the same weight to be carried or at the second airport they might tell you their baggage limit and you will be screwed. Now after I was done with taking my baggage I had to take a bus to Paris Orly since my second flight was from there. If you are not speaking French or speaking little French just to travel desk and ask them stuff you need. Asking people was futile for me. While some were quite unaware of things; including the airline staff. So make sure you ask the people behind counters. Of course not to mention you always start the conversation with Bonjour!. I hadn’t said Namaste so many times in my entire life that I said Bonjour in one day. I feel I have mastered Bonjour for now. :) :)

Try and get the city maps at tourist desks, they are free. Next I will skip you out of the horror how I got to Lyon by flight-bus combo because I am sure no one would do that. Since most of you will go to Lyon I will start with what to do with the Lyon thing. And yes don’t buy bags with 4 wheels. Buy the ones with 2 wheels as they are more mobile. And yes if you are thinking of getting more than 1 checked-in luggage be ready to face it. It’s difficult to move with it. At Lyon the trolleys were paid so you will have to get one. I didn’t take them so not sure how much. I don’t think much. Then at Lyon, go to first floor, Terminal 1, Stop 2. There is where you will get a direct bus to Grenoble station. The timetable is attached. The college is behind the Grenoble station. My landlord was kind enough to give me a lift to the rented apartment. But you will need to think about getting to your place from Grenoble station (Either via trams or buses). If you are living in student residences, try to come on weekdays. Their offices are closed on weekends and after 6pm in the evening. You will have to take their appointment for key in advance. Some of them even demand housing insurance before you arrive so make sure you check all these conditions with them. In any case, if you are arriving late see if anyone can keep your room key. Inquire in the school(GGSB), they do offer rides. The weather is like India for now so you won’t need any snow jackets for now (till November) . You might need a light blanket at night. It’s 20 deg Celsius. 

Make sure you get some food for first few days (List of items blog is on the way) . I would like to give myself three cheers for the list I had previously shared with you. It will be helpful to get all that stuff. Big markets are bit far off and closer ones are costly. Actually you will just need sometime to figure out where to find the shops, that's all. After coming to Biot I feel Grenoble has shops everywhere. Most of the shops close at 7.30pm or 8pm. Since this is also the holiday season most of the shops are closed (July to August end). There are lots of trams and buses (Getting around blog is on the way) .Make sure you get everything you need so that you need not buy stuff as soon as you reach. They have all yellow bulbs( I don't get it! I hate it) , wooden floorings and thin walls. So it will be a new experience.You will love Grenoble for its chic roads, lush greenery, vehicles that actually follow traffic rules and the mighty Alps.

Make sure you buy a Lyca sim card after you arrive in Grenoble. Wait! The sim card is free! (Another blog on calling is on the way)  Its cheaper to call in India and within France.  Its just to make sure you tell your family you are safe and contact people as you land.I didn't have to use its mobile internet since all airports have free wifi. Make sure you enjoy it ! :P Even train stations has free internet.

And yes...its starting getting dark around 8pm in Grenoble if you come after August end. Before that there is sunlight till 9.30pm.

The time table is 1 year back. I hope its still valid: