A welcome change of scenery today, we shopped 'till we dropped" or at least until we had explored 95% of the shops in Chamonix, the tourist center of the Chamonix valley.
All public transit in the Chamonix valley is free for tourists. You get a "hotel card" from your hotel and you can ride buses and trains for no charge. We took a 20 minute train trip to Chamonix on the Mont Blanc express, which the lady at the front desk kindly told us "was not an express".
We hit every gear store in town, and they are all here - Salomon, Helly Hanson, Mamuet, Patagonia, and so the list went on. We have been seeing all the local hikers in a brand called Quechua (a French sports wear line): backpacks, clothing, shoes, all around us as we hike the alps. We were thrilled to find their store in Chamonix on a side street, and actually did some shopping (i.e. buying). They had the best prices and we can not get this brand at home.
We even hit the McDonalds, just to use the WC, but had to buy coffee to get a pass code for the privilege. The McDonald's blended into the local mileau with stone work and rustic chandeliers but the menu was about the same. The prices also look the same as at home but, of course, we pay in euros. Our lunch, however, was in a little patio cafe followed by ice cream from a street stand.
We are back on the trail tomorrow, with two big back to back days to end the tour. We will be staying in a mountain Refugio, so, no post tomorrow.
All public transit in the Chamonix valley is free for tourists. You get a "hotel card" from your hotel and you can ride buses and trains for no charge. We took a 20 minute train trip to Chamonix on the Mont Blanc express, which the lady at the front desk kindly told us "was not an express".
We hit every gear store in town, and they are all here - Salomon, Helly Hanson, Mamuet, Patagonia, and so the list went on. We have been seeing all the local hikers in a brand called Quechua (a French sports wear line): backpacks, clothing, shoes, all around us as we hike the alps. We were thrilled to find their store in Chamonix on a side street, and actually did some shopping (i.e. buying). They had the best prices and we can not get this brand at home.
We even hit the McDonalds, just to use the WC, but had to buy coffee to get a pass code for the privilege. The McDonald's blended into the local mileau with stone work and rustic chandeliers but the menu was about the same. The prices also look the same as at home but, of course, we pay in euros. Our lunch, however, was in a little patio cafe followed by ice cream from a street stand.
We are back on the trail tomorrow, with two big back to back days to end the tour. We will be staying in a mountain Refugio, so, no post tomorrow.
Happy gear shopping. What dod you end up getting? Since you will be off line for the next two days, probably won't connect until you get back so happy trails. Spoke to grandma this morning and she is enjoying the blog posts. Cheers.
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