I left Strasbourg around dinner time that day. Aurelie walked me to the train station and made sure that I found the right train, and with that, I was off to Offenburg, Germany. The ride to Offenburg was a short one, which I was happy for, since the train was similar to a bus ride in the US (not exactly my favorite thing in the world). I made it to Offenburg with plenty of time to hang out on the platform--there really wasn't anywhere else to go or anything else to do, since it was evening and everything was closed. I just waited on the platform. Eventually, I started talking to a girl my age who was also waiting. She was a backpacker from Canada, and she spoke mostly French, but her English was quite good as well. We talked for over an hour, comparing travel stories before the train arrived. When the train arrived, we headed to our separate cabins. I'd bought just a simple, reclining seat, so I wasn't expecting the world's most comfortable train ride, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. The seat reclined so far that I felt like I was almost lying down, and I fell asleep almost right away. I actually much prefer it to sleeper cabins on the overnight trains, now that I've experienced those as well (more on that to come later!).
The train arrived in Berlin early the next morning, and I had a few hours to kill before I needed to even check in at the airport, so I wandered around the train station, got something to eat, paid a euro to use a bathroom (seriously, why doesn't Europe have free bathrooms anywhere?), and finally headed to the help desk to ask how to get to the airport. I waited to be helped, and listened to the rather painful conversation between the German woman at the help desk and the three Asian tourists who were trying to talk to her. So I was, of course, very proud of myself when I was able to walk up to the desk and say "Entschuldigen, sprechen Sie Englisch?" She explained how to catch the bus, and I thanked her, and was on my way.
When I got to the airport, I had to wait another hour before I could check my bag and go through to wait in the terminal. So I wandered through the gift shop, and then went to the Burger King to buy some fries and pass the time. Finally, I was able to check my bag and go through the gate. When I got to the gate, I gave the immigration officer my passport and he flipped through it, glared at me, stared at the passport some more, glared at me again, and then--just as I was starting to think that maybe I should start explaining why the last stamp was from Paris, and here I was, standing in Berlin--he stamped my passport, handed it back to me, and waved me on without saying a single word!
Before I boarded the plane, I bought some of Europe's finest M&Ms from the duty-free shop. Seriously, European M&Ms are the best in the world! Then it was time to board the plane. It was a long eight hours from there until the pilot announced that we were entering US airspace, and it felt like several more hours passed before the plane finally touched down. I was home (almost)!
It didn't take long for me to get through immigration. The immigration officer asked a few questions about where I'd been and welcomed me home. I thanked him and went in search of my bag. I seem to have a pretty consistent streak of getting the last bag off the plane, no matter when I check in. Usually my bag rolls around the corner right when I'm starting to think "Well, that's it, they actually lost my bag!" But, like it always does, it came around the corner, and, with all my belongings safely in hand, I headed out onto American soil to meet my family.
We stopped at a restaurant on the way home, and, since I'd eaten on the plane, I didn't order anything except a water. I joked with my family that I probably looked as though I'd just returned from fat camp--I was wearing a baggy sweatshirt and extra-baggy sweatpants, and I wasn't eating anything. I did, however, show off the knowledge that I learned in Scotland by thanking the waiter with a "Cheers!" when he brought my water back.
Finally, I made it back to the house--home sweet home. I was super excited to see Koda. I'd seen my family and talked with them while I was abroad, so although I missed them quite a lot, I didn't feel as though I'd been completely separate from them while in Scotland. Koda on the other hand, doesn't quite grasp the concept of skype, so this was my first time seeing him in four months. Excited, I went into the house--only to be greeted with a head nod, and a bit of a glare that pretty clearly said "I can't believe you left me for so long." Regardless of the greeting I received from my dog, I was glad to be home. And I was thrilled to see my bed, which has never seemed as inviting as it did after about 36 hours of nonstop travel.
I was home, if only for a while. Which is why the story will continue, this time, in France!
6.18.2013
6.13.2013
Staying in Strasbourg
I made it from Versailles to Gare de l'Est without much of a problem (although it's really rather difficult to navigate through a city when your knowledge of the language is all but nonexistent!) But I made it to Gare de l'Est with plenty of time to hang out and wait for the train to arrive. I walked around the train station, found a cafe with free wi-fi, and connected to the internet to pass the time until my train arrived. Finally, it was time to board the train. I got to share the two hour train ride to Strasbourg with a carriage full of school kids (probably 8-10 years old) who were either going on or returning from a school trip. Thank god for my iPod, because I think I would've gone crazy from the noise otherwise!
I arrived in Strasbourg and met my friend Aurelie just outside the train station. No matter how often I meet up with my friends, I still can't get over how amazing it is that I met these people during a volunteer trip in Africa and then stayed with them in France. I guess it really can be a small world! Aurelie showed me through downtown Strasbourg as we made our way to her friend's house for a small get together. We went to her friend's house and they were incredibly welcoming--serving me some wine and telling me to help myself to the food. They talked among themselves, and I did my best to participate even a little bit. This was after just two semesters of French, so I could catch a few words here and there, but I had no clue what everyone was actually saying. But Aurelie and one of her friends both spoke English quite well, so I talked with them for most of the night. When I was just about ready to fall asleep on the spot, Aurelie and I headed back to her flat.
I'll apologize here because I was in Strasbourg exploring for two days, but it's been almost a year since then, so all the events are kind of mixed up in my memory, so I'm not even going to try to separate the two days properly. Just know that everything that follows happened over the course of two days, not one!
One of the first sites I went to see during my time in Strasbourg was le Cathedral Notre Dame de Strasbourg. It's a really grand cathedral, and, like many of the old churches in Europe, the architecture is nothing short of amazing. There's so much intricacy that goes into the design of these old churches, and it just amazes me to think that it was done without the advanced technology we've got today. Both the inside and the outside of the church are works of art--from the architecture to the stained-glass windows to the statues and paintings inside the church. I wandered around the church--inside and out for nearly an hour, just admiring everything.
After visiting the church, Aurelie and I took a tour through the town on a train of little cabins pulled along by a car at the front. Aurelie had never seen the city like that, so she thought it was really interesting to get an idea what the city looks like from a tourist's point of view. I just enjoyed seeing so many of the city's sites without getting rained on (I think the rain followed me from Scotland, to be honest). Strasbourg is intersected by the River Ill, so much of the tour was along the river. The houses were adorable houses. A lot of the houses that hugged the river were wood and plaster houses, some of them with flower pots hanging out of the windows. I thought it was just the most picturesque view.
Aurelie and I went out to eat for lunch at a little restaurant near le Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. I ordered a tarte flambee with goat cheese--it's kind of like a pizza, but there's no tomato sauce. Mine had cheese and some kind of oil dressing. It's difficult to describe, but it was very, very good. The traditions and foods in Alsace are a blend of two cultures, since the land has traded hands between the French and the Germans so frequently.
Later during my trip to Strasbourg, Aurelie had to study, so I went to the River to take one of the boat tours through the city. The boat tour really was the best way to see all the sites, since much of the city was built up around the river. My only complaint about the boat tour was that it started to rain and I hadn't thought to bring an umbrella, so I got rained on for about half an hour. I found some amusement from another American on the boat: when we saw lightening on the horizon, this woman completely freaked out and went to talk to
the boat captain to try to get them to turn the boat around because she said it wasn't safe to be on the boat if there was any lightening. I was simultaneously amused and embarrassed by this woman--she was so furious about a bit of rain and lightening, and it was easy to tell that other people on the boat were annoyed by her antics too. I think I did a pretty good job of representing the good side of American tourists though!
Once the weather was nicer, Aurelie and I rented bikes so that I could ride through Strasbourg and get a different kind of tour. We met with one of Aurelie's friends who also spoke English quite well, and the three of us rode through Strasbourg for the afternoon. Strasbourg is an incredibly beautiful town, clustered around the river. It was great to be able to visit the city, to see a friend again, and to just have the time at the end of the semester to fit in a few more incredible experiences. I was only in Strasbourg for a few days, but I really enjoyed my time there. It
was definitely a good way to end my experience in Europe.
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| The front of le Cathedrale Notre Dame. |
I arrived in Strasbourg and met my friend Aurelie just outside the train station. No matter how often I meet up with my friends, I still can't get over how amazing it is that I met these people during a volunteer trip in Africa and then stayed with them in France. I guess it really can be a small world! Aurelie showed me through downtown Strasbourg as we made our way to her friend's house for a small get together. We went to her friend's house and they were incredibly welcoming--serving me some wine and telling me to help myself to the food. They talked among themselves, and I did my best to participate even a little bit. This was after just two semesters of French, so I could catch a few words here and there, but I had no clue what everyone was actually saying. But Aurelie and one of her friends both spoke English quite well, so I talked with them for most of the night. When I was just about ready to fall asleep on the spot, Aurelie and I headed back to her flat.
I'll apologize here because I was in Strasbourg exploring for two days, but it's been almost a year since then, so all the events are kind of mixed up in my memory, so I'm not even going to try to separate the two days properly. Just know that everything that follows happened over the course of two days, not one!
One of the first sites I went to see during my time in Strasbourg was le Cathedral Notre Dame de Strasbourg. It's a really grand cathedral, and, like many of the old churches in Europe, the architecture is nothing short of amazing. There's so much intricacy that goes into the design of these old churches, and it just amazes me to think that it was done without the advanced technology we've got today. Both the inside and the outside of the church are works of art--from the architecture to the stained-glass windows to the statues and paintings inside the church. I wandered around the church--inside and out for nearly an hour, just admiring everything.
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| A viez of the houses on the riverside in Strasbourg |
After visiting the church, Aurelie and I took a tour through the town on a train of little cabins pulled along by a car at the front. Aurelie had never seen the city like that, so she thought it was really interesting to get an idea what the city looks like from a tourist's point of view. I just enjoyed seeing so many of the city's sites without getting rained on (I think the rain followed me from Scotland, to be honest). Strasbourg is intersected by the River Ill, so much of the tour was along the river. The houses were adorable houses. A lot of the houses that hugged the river were wood and plaster houses, some of them with flower pots hanging out of the windows. I thought it was just the most picturesque view.
Aurelie and I went out to eat for lunch at a little restaurant near le Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg. I ordered a tarte flambee with goat cheese--it's kind of like a pizza, but there's no tomato sauce. Mine had cheese and some kind of oil dressing. It's difficult to describe, but it was very, very good. The traditions and foods in Alsace are a blend of two cultures, since the land has traded hands between the French and the Germans so frequently.
Later during my trip to Strasbourg, Aurelie had to study, so I went to the River to take one of the boat tours through the city. The boat tour really was the best way to see all the sites, since much of the city was built up around the river. My only complaint about the boat tour was that it started to rain and I hadn't thought to bring an umbrella, so I got rained on for about half an hour. I found some amusement from another American on the boat: when we saw lightening on the horizon, this woman completely freaked out and went to talk to
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| You know it's raining when people hide under lifejackets. |
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| The official bird of Alsace--a stork. |
was definitely a good way to end my experience in Europe.
9.20.2012
After my day touring Paris, I woke early the next morning, tired but excited, ready to see Versailles. I packed up the few things I'd unpacked on my arrival in Paris, buckled my backpack on, slung my other bag over my shoulder and headed out. Matthieu drove me to the train station and explained which train I needed to take to get to Versailles.
All total, it probably took about forty-five or so minutes to get to Versailles. I was so content, listening to my iPod as I watched the French landscape fly past outside the window. The train station at Versailles was quite large, so it took me a little while to find my way out onto the street. From there, it was a fifteen minute walk to the palace. By the time I got to the palace, my back and shoulders were already hurting a bit. Between my two bags, I was carrying about fifteen kilos (about 30-35 pounds--believe me, I wish I was kidding about this).
When I got to the palace, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. Walking down the street towards the palace, it's the only thing on the horizon. It's a truly majestic sight. A statue of Louis XIV stands about a hundred feet from the gates at the entrance to the palace. The palace itself is ornate, with incredibly detailed carvings lining the edges. Gold decorations are everywhere. The overall effect is one of clear wealth and beauty.
Once I entered the palace grounds, I checked the sign to see if I had to pay admittance or not. The sign said students in the EU under the age of 25 didn't have to pay, but since I'm an American citizen, I thought I had to pay. I waited in the ticketing line for half an hour, just to be told that I didn't have to pay admittance, I could just go get in line and they'd let me in for free. So, glad to be saving money, I headed out to the line--the ridiculously long, winding line. I approached one of the guards at the entrance and said, "Bonjour monsieur...I was told I don't need to buy a ticket, can you tell me where I need to go?" He must have assumed that since I started with 'bonjour' I at least understood French, because he answered by explaining everything in French. I had no clue what he'd said, but he had pointed to part of the line, so that's where I went.
It took an hour to get to the front of the line to finally get admitted to Versailles. Luckily, I was able to set my bags on the ground for most of the wait, so their weight didn't bother me. When I got to the entrance, I just showed my passport and student ID, and they waved me through. There was a bag check to the side, so I headed straight for it, relieved. But when I set my bag on the counter to be checked, I was told that they couldn't accept the bag unless there was food in the bag. Since neither of my bags contained food, I had to shoulder them and head into the palace.
There was so much to see in the palace, but what I really wanted to see was the gardens of Versailles. So I walked through some of the palace, but quickly headed out to the gardens. The view was simply breath-taking. From the over-large patio at the back of the palace, you can see for miles. The gardens themselves seem to stretch all the way to the horizon. There are several fountains, statues everywhere, and of course, impressive displays of gardening skills.
I walked through the gardens for about an hour before I finally had to stop and just sit for a while. I was tired from walking for so long, carrying so much weight on my shoulders. So I bought a chocolate ice cream, and just found a good spot to sit. I enjoyed my ice cream while I watched tourists walk past, admiring the gardens. Once I'd finished the ice cream, I headed off to see Marie Antoinette's estate. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the inside of any of the buildings, due to my schedule. (I had to be at Gare de l'est early that afternoon to catch the train to Strasbourg).
The whole experience was surreal. Even if I was tired from carrying so much weight for so long, I couldn't help but marvel at the fact that I was in Versailles--a nineteen year old girl from Pennsylvania, and I was walking through one of the most well-known tourist attractions and historical buildings of France.
I ate lunch outside Marie Antoinette's estate (seriously, I can't believe I can even say something like that!), and then trudged back through the gardens, past the palace, and back to the train station. It took me a little while to realize that I'd purchased the wrong ticket to get from Versailles to Gare de L'est--I actually had to ask the man at the service desk about it before I got it figured out--but soon enough, I was back on the train, making my way back into Paris to await my train to Strasbourg.
My days in Paris and Strasbourg were truly incredible experiences. As I was taking in all the sights, I couldn't stop thinking how lucky I am to have gotten the opportunities to see these things. A year ago, I never would have believed I'd be climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower, gazing up at the Arc de Trioumph, or wandering through the gardens of Versailles. And yet here I was, just enjoying my time halfway around the world.
I'll be posting again soon with stories of Strasbourg, and eventually of my trip from Strasbourg to home (it's quite the tale!). Until then, a tout a l'heure mon amis!
All total, it probably took about forty-five or so minutes to get to Versailles. I was so content, listening to my iPod as I watched the French landscape fly past outside the window. The train station at Versailles was quite large, so it took me a little while to find my way out onto the street. From there, it was a fifteen minute walk to the palace. By the time I got to the palace, my back and shoulders were already hurting a bit. Between my two bags, I was carrying about fifteen kilos (about 30-35 pounds--believe me, I wish I was kidding about this).
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| The Palace of Versailles, as seen from just behind the statue of Louis XIV. |
When I got to the palace, I was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer size of it. Walking down the street towards the palace, it's the only thing on the horizon. It's a truly majestic sight. A statue of Louis XIV stands about a hundred feet from the gates at the entrance to the palace. The palace itself is ornate, with incredibly detailed carvings lining the edges. Gold decorations are everywhere. The overall effect is one of clear wealth and beauty.
Once I entered the palace grounds, I checked the sign to see if I had to pay admittance or not. The sign said students in the EU under the age of 25 didn't have to pay, but since I'm an American citizen, I thought I had to pay. I waited in the ticketing line for half an hour, just to be told that I didn't have to pay admittance, I could just go get in line and they'd let me in for free. So, glad to be saving money, I headed out to the line--the ridiculously long, winding line. I approached one of the guards at the entrance and said, "Bonjour monsieur...I was told I don't need to buy a ticket, can you tell me where I need to go?" He must have assumed that since I started with 'bonjour' I at least understood French, because he answered by explaining everything in French. I had no clue what he'd said, but he had pointed to part of the line, so that's where I went.
It took an hour to get to the front of the line to finally get admitted to Versailles. Luckily, I was able to set my bags on the ground for most of the wait, so their weight didn't bother me. When I got to the entrance, I just showed my passport and student ID, and they waved me through. There was a bag check to the side, so I headed straight for it, relieved. But when I set my bag on the counter to be checked, I was told that they couldn't accept the bag unless there was food in the bag. Since neither of my bags contained food, I had to shoulder them and head into the palace.
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| The gardens of Versailles. Everything you can see is part of the gardens. |
I walked through the gardens for about an hour before I finally had to stop and just sit for a while. I was tired from walking for so long, carrying so much weight on my shoulders. So I bought a chocolate ice cream, and just found a good spot to sit. I enjoyed my ice cream while I watched tourists walk past, admiring the gardens. Once I'd finished the ice cream, I headed off to see Marie Antoinette's estate. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the inside of any of the buildings, due to my schedule. (I had to be at Gare de l'est early that afternoon to catch the train to Strasbourg).
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| Marie Antoinette's estate towards the back of the gardens. |
I ate lunch outside Marie Antoinette's estate (seriously, I can't believe I can even say something like that!), and then trudged back through the gardens, past the palace, and back to the train station. It took me a little while to realize that I'd purchased the wrong ticket to get from Versailles to Gare de L'est--I actually had to ask the man at the service desk about it before I got it figured out--but soon enough, I was back on the train, making my way back into Paris to await my train to Strasbourg.
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| One of the fountains in the gardens of Versailles. |
I'll be posting again soon with stories of Strasbourg, and eventually of my trip from Strasbourg to home (it's quite the tale!). Until then, a tout a l'heure mon amis!
9.16.2012
Une Journee A Paris (Part II)
When last I wrote, I left off with my climb of the Eiffel Tower. But there's so much more to tell of my day in Paris!
After leaving the Eiffel Tower, Matthieu and I headed down some of the streets further away from the river. We were headed to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees. On the way there, Matthieu and I passed a protest outside one of the shops. Matthieu explained to me the way the labor parties in France were set up and why there were strikes going on at that time. I thought it was really cool, learning a bit about the differences between American unions and French unions.
Soon, we arrived at the Arc de Triomph. It was awe-inspiring. It's one of those things that I've seen in history books or travel guides, but nothing will ever measure up to the feeling of actually standing on the Champs-Elysees, staring up at this massive monument. And that was just from further away! To get up close to the Arc de Triomph, I had to go down a set of stairs, through a tunnel under the Champs-Elysees, which emerges onto another set of stairs that leads up to the Arc. The Arc itself stands on a kind of island in the middle of a roundabout, which is surrounded by the roar of what seems to be at least a hundred cars rushing past. Up close, the intricacies of the Arc become apparent. The carvings are so detailed and so impressive! It's truly an incredibly display of artistry.
Once Matthieu and I'd both had enough of admiring the Arc de Triomph, we headed down the Champs-Elysees, often referred to as the most beautiful street in the world--a description I would certainly agree with! The street is lined with really lovely trees, and if you stood atop the Arc and looked down the Champs-Elysees, you would see first the obelisk brought to Paris during Napoleon's reign, and then the Louvre. It's truly breathtaking.
Matthieu and I stopped for hot chocolate and snacks (croissants, of course), at a small cafe on the Champs-Elysees. It was great to just take in the culture and people of the city, watching as Parisians walked past.
Once we felt well-rested, Matthieu and I continued down the Champs-Elysees, past the obelisk, to the Louvre. I so wish I had more time to spend in Paris, because I could spend days doing nothing but admiring the art in the Louvre. The museum is so massive that there must be hundreds of galleries, containing thousands of pieces of art. But for the time being, I had to be content with marveling at the outside of the impressive building.
After leaving the Louvre, Matthieu and I headed from there toward the Notre Dame Cathedral. We stopped at a bookshop first so that Matthieu could pick up something he needed for his job, and then we crossed over the river and into the courtyard in front of the magnificent church. The church was stunning. The stained-glass windows must have taken ages to craft, getting each piece just the right color and size to make a comprehensive picture. There must have been thousands of carvings covering the building as well: gargoyles as drainpipes, figures of important religious figures carved around the doorframes and on some of the pillars.
To finish out my day in Paris, Matthieu took me to a lovely restaurant called Au Pied de Cochon (which roughly translates to 'At the foot of the pig'). I couldn't understand much of what the menu said, and Matthieu spent a good fifteen minutes trying to translate everything for me before the waiter realized what we were doing and brought me an English menu. I decided to be adventures and try the restaurants namesake: a pig's foot. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted! It was simply delicious. At the end of the meal, the waiter asked if we wanted coffee and desert. I declined, explaining that I was too full for desert and am not a fan of coffee. Matthieu gave me a bit of a funny look and said that you could definitely tell I wasn't French. (Mayhap as I learn the language, I'll become a bit more French!).
I'll return soon with the story of my trip to Versailles. Until then, a tout a l'heure!
9.03.2012
8.27.2012
Une Journée à Paris
So, back to Paris!
The day my friend Matthieu picked me up at the bus station, he drove me back to the apartment he and his girlfriend share. Both of them had worked on making dinner that night--duck breast with a honey dressing. It was my first time trying duck, and it was really, really good! I was a little nervous to try it, but I ended up really enjoying it! There were several other parts of the meal as well, but that was so long ago, I honestly can't remember...although I know I enjoyed everything.
I spent the night in a spare bedroom in Matthieu's parents' flat, and the next morning, Matthieu and I headed out for my speedy, one-day-tour of Paris. The day started with a boat tour of Paris, which headed down the river Seine. From the river, I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Invalides Bridge, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was really, really amazing.
When the boat ride ended, we headed to shore and walked alongside the river to the Invalides Bridge. On the way to the bridge, a woman stopped me, pointed to the ground, and said "Excuse me, the ring, is it yours?" There was a gold-looking ring on the ground, and she picked it up and handed it to me, wishing me good fortunes when she did. Then we turned to leave and a few seconds later, she called out "Excuse me, but do you have money? For food?" This was a woman who looked well-dressed and very well-fed. I told her I had no money, but I gave the ring back. She shot me a nasty glare, took the ring, and headed off. My best guess to explain this strange encounter is that this was her way of getting money from strangers--tourists, like me.
I crossed the Invalides Bridge, a bridge that I've seen in so many photos and movies that I couldn't help but be amazed by the fact that I was in Paris, crossing such an iconic bridge. This road led directly to the Invalides, a grand building with a golden dome that can be seen from several parts of the city. Matthieu and I didn't have time to tour the Invalides, but we did go into the courtyard and onto the grounds. I even got to see some soldiers! (I think that's what they were, they looked very official).
After leaving the Invalides, Matthieu and I headed toward the Eiffel Tower. We stopped for lunch, and I felt very French, eating French cheeses and drinking wine on the gardens in front of the Eiffel Tower. Looking back, the whole thing was surreal and absolutely incredible. It rained a bit, but fortunately the rain didn't amount to much. Then, it was time to go up into the tower. The line for elevators was so long that Matthieu and I agreed the stairs would be better. It was a long climb! In total, I think we climbed over 600 steps. There were two levels where we could stop and enjoy the view of Paris from high inside its iconic tower. It was an amazing experience--one that just one year ago, I could never have imagined would be possible.
This seems a fitting place to stop for today. I'll post pictures soon, and then I'll have another post to finish the story of my day in Paris. A tout a l'heure!
The day my friend Matthieu picked me up at the bus station, he drove me back to the apartment he and his girlfriend share. Both of them had worked on making dinner that night--duck breast with a honey dressing. It was my first time trying duck, and it was really, really good! I was a little nervous to try it, but I ended up really enjoying it! There were several other parts of the meal as well, but that was so long ago, I honestly can't remember...although I know I enjoyed everything.
I spent the night in a spare bedroom in Matthieu's parents' flat, and the next morning, Matthieu and I headed out for my speedy, one-day-tour of Paris. The day started with a boat tour of Paris, which headed down the river Seine. From the river, I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Invalides Bridge, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It was really, really amazing.
When the boat ride ended, we headed to shore and walked alongside the river to the Invalides Bridge. On the way to the bridge, a woman stopped me, pointed to the ground, and said "Excuse me, the ring, is it yours?" There was a gold-looking ring on the ground, and she picked it up and handed it to me, wishing me good fortunes when she did. Then we turned to leave and a few seconds later, she called out "Excuse me, but do you have money? For food?" This was a woman who looked well-dressed and very well-fed. I told her I had no money, but I gave the ring back. She shot me a nasty glare, took the ring, and headed off. My best guess to explain this strange encounter is that this was her way of getting money from strangers--tourists, like me.
I crossed the Invalides Bridge, a bridge that I've seen in so many photos and movies that I couldn't help but be amazed by the fact that I was in Paris, crossing such an iconic bridge. This road led directly to the Invalides, a grand building with a golden dome that can be seen from several parts of the city. Matthieu and I didn't have time to tour the Invalides, but we did go into the courtyard and onto the grounds. I even got to see some soldiers! (I think that's what they were, they looked very official).
After leaving the Invalides, Matthieu and I headed toward the Eiffel Tower. We stopped for lunch, and I felt very French, eating French cheeses and drinking wine on the gardens in front of the Eiffel Tower. Looking back, the whole thing was surreal and absolutely incredible. It rained a bit, but fortunately the rain didn't amount to much. Then, it was time to go up into the tower. The line for elevators was so long that Matthieu and I agreed the stairs would be better. It was a long climb! In total, I think we climbed over 600 steps. There were two levels where we could stop and enjoy the view of Paris from high inside its iconic tower. It was an amazing experience--one that just one year ago, I could never have imagined would be possible.
This seems a fitting place to stop for today. I'll post pictures soon, and then I'll have another post to finish the story of my day in Paris. A tout a l'heure!
8.12.2012
Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and More...Way More
So I realize I'm very, very late in posting my tales of France, but better late than never! Right? I hope so.
I'll start with my last two days in Scotland. My on-campus housing had ended the day before my flight to Paris, so I stayed at the Willy Wallace backpacker's hostel in Stirling. It was right by the bus stop and train station, so I didn't have to worry about getting where I needed to be. I spent my last day in Stirling roaming around the city, buying the last handful of things I needed for the trip, and picking a loaf of bread that would serve as my breakfast the next morning.
The next morning, I woke up early, packed the few things I had taken out of my backpack the night before, and headed off to the train station, loaf of bread in hand. I bought my train ticket to Glasgow-Prestwick, the airport I'd be leaving from. The first half of the train ride was about an hour through Scottish countryside straight into the heart of Glasgow, one of the largest cities in Scotland. From there, I walked ten minutes across town to one of the largest and most confusing train stations I've ever visited. On my walk, I ended up walking alongside what I assume was a breast cancer fundraising run/walk. I seem to have an impressive talent for accidentally stumbling across these things. When I got to the second train station, I bought a hot chocolate and waited for my train to come. While I was waiting, I walked around, looking for something to do, and completely by accident, I found an earlier train to the airport. I hoped on, just in time, and I was off on the second leg of my journey.
It took about another hour to arrive at Glasgow-Prestwick airport. Once I got off the train, there was a set of escalators that went up to a bridge that crossed over the highway so everyone could get into the airport. The airport itself was fairly small, since they only serve budget flights around Europe (I think only one or maybe two airlines operate out of this airport). I had arrived early--too early to check in, so I pulled out my laptop and just played games for a while. Then I decided to treat myself to lunch in the restaurant in the lobby--after all, it was my last day in Scotland!
I had a burger and chips (which would forever after return to being called 'fries') and watched the numerous reports about the barge that had been prepared for the Queen's Jubilee. Apparently it's very important that the Queen stay dry on her barge ride down the Thames--the announcers discussed precisely how the Queen would be kept dry for quite some time. After lunch, I still had some time to kill before I could check in, so I wandered through the small gift shop, knowing full well that I didn't have so much as 1 pence I could use to buy anything with.
There was some excitement when someone abandoned their bag by one of the support beams in the airport. Airport security started running around, trying to figure out who it belonged to. When they finally found the woman who claimed it, she didn't seem to speak English too well, and she just kept saying, "It's fine, it's fine!" The security guards had to keep insisting that no, it is not fine, and all bags must be attended at all times. I just sat and the corner and watched, since it was the best entertainment the airport had yet provided.
Finally, I was able to go check my bag and head off to security. I've never once had a problem in airport security before, but this time, I set off the metal detector, had to get a pat-down, and then had to have my carry-on bag dumped and searched. Now, let me just say that I had unpacked and packed this bag a hundred times to get everything to fit just right. And the security guard (the equivalent of a TSA agent) dumped the whole thing out and checked the spines of my books and my cell phones (one American, one good in Europe) for some kind of bomb residue. Once he'd determined that my bags were indeed safe to go on the plane, I was allowed to (slowly and pain-stakingly) repack my bag before continuing through the duty-free store to the lobby. The lobby was basically an area with a bunch of chairs where everyone waited for their flight to open up.
After almost another hour of waiting, the line for my flight opened up. I jumped up and hurried over to the line, not wanting to be the last person on. I got through rather quickly, though others were stopped to have their bags weighed, since all carry-ons had to weigh less than 25 kg. I had to wait in another line while all the tickets were checked, and then it was my turn. I got my seat, tucked my carry-on under the seat in front of me, and waited.
After a flight just over an hour long, I could see the French countryside out my window. We had made it. The plane landed in Paris-Beauvais, which is actually an hour's drive from Paris itself, which was my destination. I got off the plane pretty fast, and was pleasantly surprised to find that my checked bag was one of the first off the plane as well. I grabbed it and hurried to the customs desks. Customs didn't even ask any questions, just stamped by passport and waved me through. I made my way through the airport to the bus stop, so that I could catch the shuttle to Paris. I was very proud of myself when I walked up to the ticket counter and was able to say "Bonjour! Je voudrais un aller-simple, sil vous plait!" which translates to "Hello, I'd like a one-way ticket please."
The bus left about ten minutes after I'd gotten my ticket. It took another hour to get in sight of Paris, and a little longer to actually get to the bus terminal in the city. It was an amazing sight, seeing the skyline of Paris in the distance, the Eiffel Tower sliding in and out of visibility. And then, finally, I was in Paris, where my friend Matthieu met me and drove me to his house on the outskirts of Paris.
And I'll continue there later. (And this time, when I say later, I honestly don't mean three months from now)! A tout a l'heure!
I'll start with my last two days in Scotland. My on-campus housing had ended the day before my flight to Paris, so I stayed at the Willy Wallace backpacker's hostel in Stirling. It was right by the bus stop and train station, so I didn't have to worry about getting where I needed to be. I spent my last day in Stirling roaming around the city, buying the last handful of things I needed for the trip, and picking a loaf of bread that would serve as my breakfast the next morning.
The next morning, I woke up early, packed the few things I had taken out of my backpack the night before, and headed off to the train station, loaf of bread in hand. I bought my train ticket to Glasgow-Prestwick, the airport I'd be leaving from. The first half of the train ride was about an hour through Scottish countryside straight into the heart of Glasgow, one of the largest cities in Scotland. From there, I walked ten minutes across town to one of the largest and most confusing train stations I've ever visited. On my walk, I ended up walking alongside what I assume was a breast cancer fundraising run/walk. I seem to have an impressive talent for accidentally stumbling across these things. When I got to the second train station, I bought a hot chocolate and waited for my train to come. While I was waiting, I walked around, looking for something to do, and completely by accident, I found an earlier train to the airport. I hoped on, just in time, and I was off on the second leg of my journey.
It took about another hour to arrive at Glasgow-Prestwick airport. Once I got off the train, there was a set of escalators that went up to a bridge that crossed over the highway so everyone could get into the airport. The airport itself was fairly small, since they only serve budget flights around Europe (I think only one or maybe two airlines operate out of this airport). I had arrived early--too early to check in, so I pulled out my laptop and just played games for a while. Then I decided to treat myself to lunch in the restaurant in the lobby--after all, it was my last day in Scotland!
I had a burger and chips (which would forever after return to being called 'fries') and watched the numerous reports about the barge that had been prepared for the Queen's Jubilee. Apparently it's very important that the Queen stay dry on her barge ride down the Thames--the announcers discussed precisely how the Queen would be kept dry for quite some time. After lunch, I still had some time to kill before I could check in, so I wandered through the small gift shop, knowing full well that I didn't have so much as 1 pence I could use to buy anything with.
There was some excitement when someone abandoned their bag by one of the support beams in the airport. Airport security started running around, trying to figure out who it belonged to. When they finally found the woman who claimed it, she didn't seem to speak English too well, and she just kept saying, "It's fine, it's fine!" The security guards had to keep insisting that no, it is not fine, and all bags must be attended at all times. I just sat and the corner and watched, since it was the best entertainment the airport had yet provided.
Finally, I was able to go check my bag and head off to security. I've never once had a problem in airport security before, but this time, I set off the metal detector, had to get a pat-down, and then had to have my carry-on bag dumped and searched. Now, let me just say that I had unpacked and packed this bag a hundred times to get everything to fit just right. And the security guard (the equivalent of a TSA agent) dumped the whole thing out and checked the spines of my books and my cell phones (one American, one good in Europe) for some kind of bomb residue. Once he'd determined that my bags were indeed safe to go on the plane, I was allowed to (slowly and pain-stakingly) repack my bag before continuing through the duty-free store to the lobby. The lobby was basically an area with a bunch of chairs where everyone waited for their flight to open up.
After almost another hour of waiting, the line for my flight opened up. I jumped up and hurried over to the line, not wanting to be the last person on. I got through rather quickly, though others were stopped to have their bags weighed, since all carry-ons had to weigh less than 25 kg. I had to wait in another line while all the tickets were checked, and then it was my turn. I got my seat, tucked my carry-on under the seat in front of me, and waited.
After a flight just over an hour long, I could see the French countryside out my window. We had made it. The plane landed in Paris-Beauvais, which is actually an hour's drive from Paris itself, which was my destination. I got off the plane pretty fast, and was pleasantly surprised to find that my checked bag was one of the first off the plane as well. I grabbed it and hurried to the customs desks. Customs didn't even ask any questions, just stamped by passport and waved me through. I made my way through the airport to the bus stop, so that I could catch the shuttle to Paris. I was very proud of myself when I walked up to the ticket counter and was able to say "Bonjour! Je voudrais un aller-simple, sil vous plait!" which translates to "Hello, I'd like a one-way ticket please."
The bus left about ten minutes after I'd gotten my ticket. It took another hour to get in sight of Paris, and a little longer to actually get to the bus terminal in the city. It was an amazing sight, seeing the skyline of Paris in the distance, the Eiffel Tower sliding in and out of visibility. And then, finally, I was in Paris, where my friend Matthieu met me and drove me to his house on the outskirts of Paris.
And I'll continue there later. (And this time, when I say later, I honestly don't mean three months from now)! A tout a l'heure!
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