IKEA via public transportation: Impossible? Nope.

My big strong roommates are so nice that they went to Ikea to furnish our naked apartment. They were fortunate enough to have a giant van at their disposal. They hauled chairs, tables and beds up the stairs while I was busy working all week. But now, they are in school full time and there was a bunch of things that I didn't ask them to pick up for me. So I was faced with the challenging task of going to Ikea by myself using nothing but my two legs, two arms and Lyon's public transportation system.

The first thing you should know about this Ikea is that it isn't even in Lyon. It's in Saint Priest which is about 45 minutes away. For you Montrealers, I reckon it's the same as taking the bus and metro from Pointe Claire to the South Shore (No fun). I got on the metro 5 mins from my place and rode it for about 10 stops (or 25 mins). I then got off the metro and ventured up to street level to catch the tramway -- which is basically an above ground metro. It's like a bus, only it runs on rails and you have no contact with the driver. You just validate you ticket in a machine once you're on board. Then I proceeded to ride the tram until I got to 'Porte des Alpes' - another 25 mins away - where the Ikea is.

Once inside, I had to be really careful of what I bought, since I would be bringing it back myself. But there was a lot of stuff I needed! Two sets of curtains, a garbage pail (awkward shape), bowls and a vase (both fragile), a lamp and light bulbs and finally my red carpet. I lugged all this stuff plus the giant red carpet from Saint Priest all the way to Vieux Lyon. I took up three seats on the tram and metro and almost didn't make it up the windy 100 steps to my apartment. But alas, I survived. It CAN be done! Ikea sans voiture. Impossible? I. think. Not.