One minute the tram can be packed with so many people that you can hardly squeeze on, and once on you’re not sure you can get off. The next minute it’s empty. There is a reason for this though.

We live toward the northern end of Line 2. As you’d expect, the further out you get, the less people are on the tram. And the closer you get to the schools, the more students pack it. We are two stops away from the University of Nantes, and five stops away from Ella’s school, which is a large one for middle & high schoolers. So there are lots of young people filling the tram in the morning, at lunch, and in the late afternoon. And like I said, the closer you get to the schools, the more people.

It’s fun to ride during these times and experience the hustle-bustle so quickly balanced by the serenity. On Mondays Ella comes home for lunch, hustle-bustle. Today Melinda and I rode the tram back to school with her, squeezing on like sardines. Then we caught the tram in the other direction at her school, packed with university students on their way back from lunch. I took this picture after practically everyone had gotten off, obviously, one stop short of the end of the line (where there’s an organic grocery store Melinda & I visited).

You’ll notice what a beautiful day it is in Nantes. In fact, I just got out of the pool! It’s supposed to be in the low 80’s on Wednesday. Take that, Seattle.

Not that I’m gloating…