1 nice woman from Prague
2 encounters with body odor before leaving the airport
2 hostile "madams"--I should pay more attention
18 consecutive looks of disdain for the clumsy American with an absurd amount of luggage
2 very stressful train rides
2 very sore feet
1 cut on my hand from absurdly heavy luggage
1 excruciatingly long and painful walk to a second train station involving an absurd amount of luggage and stairs
I've picked up to pieces of wisdom in my first days in France. 1) I am the crier of the family and 2) never...ever...ever bring three bags of luggage to Europe...never. If you can't carry it up or down a flight of stairs without the help of 2 very friendly Frenchmen you don't need it.
My flight to Paris was uneventful, thankfully, however never having been forced to take public transportation I was unprepared for what came next. After buying my ticket and heaving the absurd amount of luggage I've already mentioned around the airport/ train station, I finally found the platform. If only it was 9 3/4 life would be easy, but there was no mention of which platform led to which train. After asking several people I found the right train and thus came the 18 consecutive looks of disdain. Most people were willing to help the sad and pathetic looking American and for that I am eternally grateful, but I have learned my lesson.
After all of that, I do love this city. It's beautiful and I can't wait to start working and explore more of France.
Just waiting for the train that first day in Lille I know I can do just about anything
A Bientôt
Leslie
