commute

There is a high speed train service (think TGV) that runs between Amsterdam and Paris. From Rotterdam to Paris takes three hours, but it could be less. Because the northern part of HSL has been finished for two years now, but there is so much conflict over the purchase of a safety system for the trains, that no train uses the new tracks. Of course, the French have a great system, but our illustrious Government decided to develop a homegrown Dutch version that yet had to be compatible with the French system. The promise is, that in 2009 the journey time between Rotterdam and Paris will be just over two hours. That will make commuting from Paris to The Netherlands an option. A few weeks ago, when we were in Paris we were already looking at apartments somewhat seriously. It’s been our joke for a long time, that “once we grew up” we wanted to inhabit a Paris mansarde. This week, my new cybelys card arrived: an auspicious omen, I believe. Today I told someone about the commuting plans, and he said: so yes, you would be able to work in Paris and live here. The other way around, mate, I said: much nicer. He had to agree.