Everyone thought I was crazy but I had faith in the weather cause today, IT SNOWED! I woke ua at an ungodly hour to go to class. Again noone was there., not at the bus stop, downstairs, tram or hallway. It was not till I was in the wrong class I realized I was an hour early. That is actually positive cause it gave me time to take pictures. The snow was just flurries but Catalina and I were the only ones excited. We sat through class and shocker another project. I had to go home cause a) I had to make sure CAF was settled b) get warmer clothes c) get my buss pass ( I thought I was running late and left it so I was planning on sneaking on the shuttle .. mission accomplished btw) d) see if the toilet was fixed.Caf was ok but my toilet is still not fixed. While finding warmer clothes, I heard the fire alarm, which sound lie band pipes. lol.
I built a mini snowman and took tons of photos with Catalina. I love snow!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Nantes Trip!!!!
So I survived my first week and ready for my weekend in Nantes!
I woke up amd wen down stairs at the time we were supposed ti be meeting. But, no one was there. I was afraid I would miss the train and left. Once I got there I easily found my train terminal since it is not as massive as Paris! I saw many farmilar faces too shivering cause it was redicoulously cold!
The train ride I slept the majority of the trip. Once we arrived, HIlla and Rita told me we had to stay and wait for the hotel people. The hotel people are the group of us staying overnight. There were 8 of us 5 were coming by car. After an hour, I wanted to leave. We would miss everything! In France, things close at 7 and it was going on 11! I would say we could go tomorrow but everything is closed Sundays so we can't stay here all day!
Once we left the station to start walking to the hotel we found a gorgeous park. I think it was more of a garden since you can't walk on the grass but it was beautiful!.After a long photoshoot, we continued to the hotel while snapping photos along the way.
Finally we got to our hotel! Everyone at one point in their life has stayed at a ghetto hotel. If you haven't , you're either lucky or missing out on stories for years to come. This one bets anything you have gone to! First, it is a door entrance. It kinda looking like the house from the full house except with stores.Anyways, they ahve a huge staff of one guy! He checked us in and out, cooked and cleaned. He did it all!
The actual room was okay. The beds were normal. They did make look Days Inn look classy and nice. The lights were just light bulbs and the TV was a 20 inch hanging from the wall. The bathroom though. It was a few wall put together and a curtain. It also had not roof. so it was similar to a bathroom stall. Noone wanted to use it cause its awkward.
Finally settled in with a game plan, we went to get food. I had a sandwich but bought an okay dessert. Tartes are not my thing though. We also get to shp before the Hotel people contacted us. We left our numbers with the frint desk or one guy since most of us just got phones and had no numbers. We would meet in an hour since they were going to get lunch. So we killed time and were outside waiting again for them. When they called and said to go see the castle since they already did. At this point, we have to do our own thing cause this was getting ridiculous.
The castle was so pretty!It is amazing to see centeries of history. The castle was built inside a military fortress in the 1400s, when religious battles were going on. One of thier kings signed a treaty, after 80 years of war. The town also went through a mermaid and carnival phase and how their king was one of the key people involved in the slave trade, He stopped supporting 3 years before it was shut down. It also showed how the Nazis took over and implemented rules. Most people in the city were jewish so the town was deserted after 13,000 people were taken into France.
Once we got through the museum. We toured the cathedral. The church is as big as the castle, When I first saw it I thought it was the castle. Our night at Nantes was spending time playing Ring of Fire and drinking wine. We did try to go dancing but ended up at a Isih bar again.
This tip taught me a few things. Big groups travelling never work. People cancel etc. ( i forgot to mention meeting up with the group.) I am much more fast paced that other cultures lol.
This is how we found them. We meet at the church and they told us what happened. One girl backed out after they waited for her even though they were late. So they left late and didn't have a way to contact us. The girl who backed out told them to meet us in the wrong place.
Dinner was fun! We got Kabeb and the cashier had a crush on Hilla, a pretty blonde. A co-worker told us as we were leaving. I understood but HIlla didn't s I told her. The man offered a soda for a kiss on the cheek. It was hilarous! Once we got home after a park trip, train and bus ride, my toilet was broken. fml. So I have to get it repaired and figure out how to say it in French.
I talked to Cameron the longest yet! We did absolutely nothing together! It was perfect!
I woke up amd wen down stairs at the time we were supposed ti be meeting. But, no one was there. I was afraid I would miss the train and left. Once I got there I easily found my train terminal since it is not as massive as Paris! I saw many farmilar faces too shivering cause it was redicoulously cold!
The train ride I slept the majority of the trip. Once we arrived, HIlla and Rita told me we had to stay and wait for the hotel people. The hotel people are the group of us staying overnight. There were 8 of us 5 were coming by car. After an hour, I wanted to leave. We would miss everything! In France, things close at 7 and it was going on 11! I would say we could go tomorrow but everything is closed Sundays so we can't stay here all day!
Once we left the station to start walking to the hotel we found a gorgeous park. I think it was more of a garden since you can't walk on the grass but it was beautiful!.After a long photoshoot, we continued to the hotel while snapping photos along the way.
Finally we got to our hotel! Everyone at one point in their life has stayed at a ghetto hotel. If you haven't , you're either lucky or missing out on stories for years to come. This one bets anything you have gone to! First, it is a door entrance. It kinda looking like the house from the full house except with stores.Anyways, they ahve a huge staff of one guy! He checked us in and out, cooked and cleaned. He did it all!
The actual room was okay. The beds were normal. They did make look Days Inn look classy and nice. The lights were just light bulbs and the TV was a 20 inch hanging from the wall. The bathroom though. It was a few wall put together and a curtain. It also had not roof. so it was similar to a bathroom stall. Noone wanted to use it cause its awkward.
Finally settled in with a game plan, we went to get food. I had a sandwich but bought an okay dessert. Tartes are not my thing though. We also get to shp before the Hotel people contacted us. We left our numbers with the frint desk or one guy since most of us just got phones and had no numbers. We would meet in an hour since they were going to get lunch. So we killed time and were outside waiting again for them. When they called and said to go see the castle since they already did. At this point, we have to do our own thing cause this was getting ridiculous.
The castle was so pretty!It is amazing to see centeries of history. The castle was built inside a military fortress in the 1400s, when religious battles were going on. One of thier kings signed a treaty, after 80 years of war. The town also went through a mermaid and carnival phase and how their king was one of the key people involved in the slave trade, He stopped supporting 3 years before it was shut down. It also showed how the Nazis took over and implemented rules. Most people in the city were jewish so the town was deserted after 13,000 people were taken into France.
Once we got through the museum. We toured the cathedral. The church is as big as the castle, When I first saw it I thought it was the castle. Our night at Nantes was spending time playing Ring of Fire and drinking wine. We did try to go dancing but ended up at a Isih bar again.
This tip taught me a few things. Big groups travelling never work. People cancel etc. ( i forgot to mention meeting up with the group.) I am much more fast paced that other cultures lol.
This is how we found them. We meet at the church and they told us what happened. One girl backed out after they waited for her even though they were late. So they left late and didn't have a way to contact us. The girl who backed out told them to meet us in the wrong place.
Dinner was fun! We got Kabeb and the cashier had a crush on Hilla, a pretty blonde. A co-worker told us as we were leaving. I understood but HIlla didn't s I told her. The man offered a soda for a kiss on the cheek. It was hilarous! Once we got home after a park trip, train and bus ride, my toilet was broken. fml. So I have to get it repaired and figure out how to say it in French.
I talked to Cameron the longest yet! We did absolutely nothing together! It was perfect!
Best 8 minutes EVER!!!
1/26/2012
I received a surprise Skype from Cameron during his break. It was the best 8 minutes! We are on such different schedules that this was the first time I really heard from him. He even called during his second break and we spoke for 25 minutes. I dont know if anyone else has had a similar situation but every time you learn a new word in French or experience another French thing like crepes, I want to call him or text him. I can't. I mean long distance relationships are hard but different time zones and not having a telephone make it more challenging. The only positive is you realize how much you care about someone. I am not just talking about Cameron.
Jen R. skyped me and it was so much fun hearing about her new job and my abroad adventures. You maybe an ocean away but you still feel lik your apart of their lives.
Anyways enough sappy stuff. I went to an Irish bar. Doran 9, an American girl, told me about this really yummy drink called Kilkenny. It was dark and creamy and yummy! Once I got back I worked on my trips until Cameron was one again, which was about 3:30 am. He told me about all his car issues and I hate his car! He could have bought a plane ticket with that money lol.
So some of my trips include:
Trip 1: Normady and Brittney
Trip 2: Valley of Lumor
Trip 3: England
The first 2 are with school and extra but they are all inclusive. The last one I am doing on my week off hopefully!. I really want to go but noone seems to be up for it so I may be solo . Alyssa says I can stay with her so I have a place for England but if I want to venture into other countries I need to look into hostels and couch surfing. Decisions!
I received a surprise Skype from Cameron during his break. It was the best 8 minutes! We are on such different schedules that this was the first time I really heard from him. He even called during his second break and we spoke for 25 minutes. I dont know if anyone else has had a similar situation but every time you learn a new word in French or experience another French thing like crepes, I want to call him or text him. I can't. I mean long distance relationships are hard but different time zones and not having a telephone make it more challenging. The only positive is you realize how much you care about someone. I am not just talking about Cameron.
Jen R. skyped me and it was so much fun hearing about her new job and my abroad adventures. You maybe an ocean away but you still feel lik your apart of their lives.
Anyways enough sappy stuff. I went to an Irish bar. Doran 9, an American girl, told me about this really yummy drink called Kilkenny. It was dark and creamy and yummy! Once I got back I worked on my trips until Cameron was one again, which was about 3:30 am. He told me about all his car issues and I hate his car! He could have bought a plane ticket with that money lol.
So some of my trips include:
Trip 1: Normady and Brittney
Trip 2: Valley of Lumor
Trip 3: England
The first 2 are with school and extra but they are all inclusive. The last one I am doing on my week off hopefully!. I really want to go but noone seems to be up for it so I may be solo . Alyssa says I can stay with her so I have a place for England but if I want to venture into other countries I need to look into hostels and couch surfing. Decisions!
First Day of School!
1/23
Today was the first day of school. For everyone who takes the bus, it SUCKS! Class was at 8 am so we had to be on the bus by 7 and we were still late! This maybe the hardest semester yet. We went over the structure of the class and it seems easy yet intense. They have 30 credit hours and almost 12 sections, which is divided into 5 areas. There grading is out of 20 and 10 is passing! The professor said the highest grades are 14s, which to me is terrible! I love high grades and really nervous about that. They also do grading by averages so for example You get a 12, 13, 12, 11 and 12 in the 5 sections. You would have a 12 for everything cause the average is 12. That maybe good or bad depending on the distribution. Also, they have continuous assesments and you can fail if you miss one by skipping a class. Classes change weekly. We will have a final on one topic per section but they do not tell you which one. Basically, your life is school. I am going to try to fit in a sport even though walking up the stairs to my room and class should count.
I found some cute Irish boys in class but sadly they have girl friends.Regardless, some of my friends would make such a cute couple with them cough Brittney Keating cough. After class, I went to the cafeteria and got lunch and failed to get my internet code again. The cafeteria is a steal. You get an appetizer, entree, dessert and bread for 3 euros.
I paid my rent and starting to see the end of my to do list ONce you pay your rent you get your prrof of residence form so you can make a bank account. I can't get the form till 5 since their are so many of us paying. I attempted to open my account anyway but have to finish tomorrow. SO me and a few girls ( Catalina, Isabel and Hilla) are going tomorrow at 9am. Once that is compete all I have left is CAF (housing aid) and rent a bike.
I also signed up for Oral practice to work on my Francis. I definitely need it! Hoping for As!
Today was the first day of school. For everyone who takes the bus, it SUCKS! Class was at 8 am so we had to be on the bus by 7 and we were still late! This maybe the hardest semester yet. We went over the structure of the class and it seems easy yet intense. They have 30 credit hours and almost 12 sections, which is divided into 5 areas. There grading is out of 20 and 10 is passing! The professor said the highest grades are 14s, which to me is terrible! I love high grades and really nervous about that. They also do grading by averages so for example You get a 12, 13, 12, 11 and 12 in the 5 sections. You would have a 12 for everything cause the average is 12. That maybe good or bad depending on the distribution. Also, they have continuous assesments and you can fail if you miss one by skipping a class. Classes change weekly. We will have a final on one topic per section but they do not tell you which one. Basically, your life is school. I am going to try to fit in a sport even though walking up the stairs to my room and class should count.
I found some cute Irish boys in class but sadly they have girl friends.Regardless, some of my friends would make such a cute couple with them cough Brittney Keating cough. After class, I went to the cafeteria and got lunch and failed to get my internet code again. The cafeteria is a steal. You get an appetizer, entree, dessert and bread for 3 euros.
I paid my rent and starting to see the end of my to do list ONce you pay your rent you get your prrof of residence form so you can make a bank account. I can't get the form till 5 since their are so many of us paying. I attempted to open my account anyway but have to finish tomorrow. SO me and a few girls ( Catalina, Isabel and Hilla) are going tomorrow at 9am. Once that is compete all I have left is CAF (housing aid) and rent a bike.
I also signed up for Oral practice to work on my Francis. I definitely need it! Hoping for As!
Friday, January 27, 2012
First Weekend!!!
SO going out French style is very interesting. Imagine a Devanney's but smaller and 3 stories. The same goes for bathrooms, sticky floord. The only thing missing is drunk college students till midnight. So far France I am on a nocturnal schedule lol. I sleep all day!!! I have to break it cause classes start tomorrow.
I know I said it on Facebook but for all my single friends , you really should invest in a trip to France. There are so many cute boys with accents. Also it is simple to get them to talk to you. You look them in the eye and smile. They always come right over! I have done this accidently many times until someone told me it is flirting. In America that is being friendly!
That pretty much summarizes the night. Oh wait-- the beer! I could not finish it! Don't hate me! The beer here is terrible and I am not saying that cause I am picky 4 people who love beer did not like it! I heard if you have to put this syrup in and its great again. I don't want to pay to find out though.
So I got up at 3 today cause no one woke me up for the castle or the bank. I couldn't open my bank account anyways so its fine but I really needed a phone so I went to the citi alone. After 3 hours, I found SFR ! I managed to buy a phone and the sales guy Mathieu even changed the language for me. I thought I deserved Mc Donald's so I had that for dinner. I was even able to order and sounded intelligent. Don't get to excited the names are the same in America.
By this time it was 6:30 so I attempted to make my way home. After 2 more hours and 2 extra stops I was home! I got off at the wrong places but think I am professional now!
On Sunday, I spent the day wondering and exploring the citi. Everything is closed on Sunday. SO imagine Chickfila but like that everywhere! It is as terrible as you think. I am trying to figure out what to do instead of eat, shop, movies and everything else. I will keep you posted!
I know I said it on Facebook but for all my single friends , you really should invest in a trip to France. There are so many cute boys with accents. Also it is simple to get them to talk to you. You look them in the eye and smile. They always come right over! I have done this accidently many times until someone told me it is flirting. In America that is being friendly!
That pretty much summarizes the night. Oh wait-- the beer! I could not finish it! Don't hate me! The beer here is terrible and I am not saying that cause I am picky 4 people who love beer did not like it! I heard if you have to put this syrup in and its great again. I don't want to pay to find out though.
So I got up at 3 today cause no one woke me up for the castle or the bank. I couldn't open my bank account anyways so its fine but I really needed a phone so I went to the citi alone. After 3 hours, I found SFR ! I managed to buy a phone and the sales guy Mathieu even changed the language for me. I thought I deserved Mc Donald's so I had that for dinner. I was even able to order and sounded intelligent. Don't get to excited the names are the same in America.
By this time it was 6:30 so I attempted to make my way home. After 2 more hours and 2 extra stops I was home! I got off at the wrong places but think I am professional now!
On Sunday, I spent the day wondering and exploring the citi. Everything is closed on Sunday. SO imagine Chickfila but like that everywhere! It is as terrible as you think. I am trying to figure out what to do instead of eat, shop, movies and everything else. I will keep you posted!
I Made Friends!!!
1/24/2011
Last week, I made friends. After settling up my computer and figuring out the time. I went down stairs to start my first official day in France and truly start my adventure of getting settleed in. This means id bank account, nternet, insurance and telephone. I accomplished one of the three and the reason is we went to the mall first. Unlike in America it is just indoor shops. There is a store similar to Walmart but not as nice of prices. Pens are 5 EUROS?!?!? It is crazy! It might be more of a Target since it is in the "mall." Once we( Mariam (Mexico), Erica( Finland) Olli(Finland) and Brandy (USA)) put our stuff back in our rooms we went to pay for insurance.
I forgot to tell you how we meet. While I was asking the front desk lady how to get anywhere she said American. Then dragged this girl now know as Brandy over and said American American. So now we have to be friends. She really is nice I mean she loves and I do mean LOVES cats.
So anyways back to insurance. Before you get insurance you have to get a student id and green paper. The insurance place closes at 3:30 so before I could get to the student id place and back it was closed. Unlike UCF all these things are walking back and forth or by bus. So getting settled in is a multi day thing. Once that failed we went to the bus station. Each hour is 1.4 euro so 3.4 all day. So paying for the bus was getting old really fast!
After all that hard work I was starving! I had a panni thing, which was delicious. I tried a crepe! I attempted to order in French and failed miserably. I am still adjusting to the new language and kinda feeling silly thing. I have quickly picked up not tipping. All in all the French food is amazing!
A highlight of my day was using someone else's access code to check my emails and go on Facebook. I even had a chance to talk to Cameron. He may have been at work since he didn't have much to say but I have only been gone for less than 24 hours. I did tell him to tall my mom I am safe since she is probally worried sick!
Finding friends is great. We are going out tonight! I am excited to explore the city. I learned the word for sale and free even with a language barrier I will still find sales! But for now I will go out to this college bar hopefully it lives up to my Devanney's standards I did hear beer is 5 euros per glass and 2 euros for a bottle of wine. Can you say pregame?
Last week, I made friends. After settling up my computer and figuring out the time. I went down stairs to start my first official day in France and truly start my adventure of getting settleed in. This means id bank account, nternet, insurance and telephone. I accomplished one of the three and the reason is we went to the mall first. Unlike in America it is just indoor shops. There is a store similar to Walmart but not as nice of prices. Pens are 5 EUROS?!?!? It is crazy! It might be more of a Target since it is in the "mall." Once we( Mariam (Mexico), Erica( Finland) Olli(Finland) and Brandy (USA)) put our stuff back in our rooms we went to pay for insurance.I forgot to tell you how we meet. While I was asking the front desk lady how to get anywhere she said American. Then dragged this girl now know as Brandy over and said American American. So now we have to be friends. She really is nice I mean she loves and I do mean LOVES cats.
After all that hard work I was starving! I had a panni thing, which was delicious. I tried a crepe! I attempted to order in French and failed miserably. I am still adjusting to the new language and kinda feeling silly thing. I have quickly picked up not tipping. All in all the French food is amazing!
A highlight of my day was using someone else's access code to check my emails and go on Facebook. I even had a chance to talk to Cameron. He may have been at work since he didn't have much to say but I have only been gone for less than 24 hours. I did tell him to tall my mom I am safe since she is probally worried sick!
Finding friends is great. We are going out tonight! I am excited to explore the city. I learned the word for sale and free even with a language barrier I will still find sales! But for now I will go out to this college bar hopefully it lives up to my Devanney's standards I did hear beer is 5 euros per glass and 2 euros for a bottle of wine. Can you say pregame?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Good Bye America. Hello France!
Hello!
I decided to write a blog about my French Study Abroad adventure for a few reasons. One to look back and remember the experience and also let everyone else know how it really is. I am so happy to be here because this truly is a once in a life time opportunity!
My flight here was interesting. I thought I was ready but definitely NOT! I was still running around tryign to get the weight of my bags down and copies of all my papers. This is my first international flight and my first flight alone. I realized two things: I am not as independent as I think I am and have no idea what anyone is saying. I rode on a French airline called Corsairway, it is a charter bus plane and the cheapest flight available. ALMOST 400 dollars less!!! Upon check in they gave me directions in French. I know I am goign to a French speaking country but I know almost nothing. Actually, I know nothing! Luckily, he points so I avoided that awkward blank stare. Once I got to the counter I was worried he would not speak English well. Seeing as this is my flight to leave I was relieved he only spoke English too. I did not want to mess anything up and miss the flight.
After weighing my bags. It came up to 32 kilos. over the limit! After removing ALOT of my clothes, the scale disappointed me again. He didn't charge me though. I think because we are both young and the other workers have no idea what we are saying anyways. Thank goodness! I did not want to pay 15 per kilo over! I turned in my luggage and hunted for my mom. After searching, I gave up and slowly headed to the boarding area.
My mom has never failed me and in the distance I saw her frantically walking as fast as she could looking for my flight. She is legally disabled, so her walking fast is a HUGE deal. (She payed for it the next day. )Our eyes locked and it was like a slow motion seen of running/ walking fast to give each other a hug. As we walked where I board, we said our good byes. Turning around and seeing her crying it FINALLY hit me I am leaving for France!
I lose everything and everyone warned me about people stealing your passport, etc. Well I went through security. First, you have to show your passport. Second, you have to put all your stuff in the bins, including shoes. My passport would be the one to fall out of the bin.So I frantically looked for the passport stopped the whole security check point thinking someone stole it but the guy found it in the machine.
Once I got to the gate, I texted and facebooked from my phone for the last time and waited for my row to be called. I 'm not sure if they really called my row but they let me in and I discovered I had the whole row to myself! I was surprised how laxed security is. I was expecting to be drilled and interrogated. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a French airline or any that is not a US do it! The English translations are so funny!
My flight took off at 8:30pm and planned to land at 11:30 am in Paris. Even though it was early as soon as we could take off our seat belts I passed out until they brought out food. The plane gave us two meals: dinner and breakfast. Dinner was amazing. Maybe it was the low expectation or the beer but I loved it. It had a salad , fish , dessert and FREE Alcohol! Breakfast did not have beer only OJ and bagels, yogurt, and muffins. They showed cartoons with no voices such as Tom and Jerry the entire plane ride. I don't think anyone was watching but it was nice to be able to follow along.
Once the plane ride was over the real adventure began. I searched for a classmate I was suppposed to be meeting but I realized we were not at the same airport and would have to fend for myself. I struggled to get to the train station which left for Angers. With ALOT of help and pointing I found the place to buy a ticket and board. A nice, older man helped me find my seat and told me my exit. I tried hard not to sleep but slept 99% of it.
I had high hope that I would be able to find the school till the taxis ride. I gave the driver the wrong addrsss and ended up staranded. The Vice President found me wandering and offered to drive me to the correct campus. He also gave me water, candy and swag. We are best friends now. lol.
Finally, I got to my room. The room itself is pretty nice . It feels like a cruise room. It is compact and tiny. The toilet and shower are in a small cramped space a little bigger than a porta potty. The shower is controlled by the sink too. After organizing my room, I miss my mountain of clothes and will probally hate these clothes since I only have 12 outfits for 5 months! I hate to go shopping but I may have to!
Revoir!
I decided to write a blog about my French Study Abroad adventure for a few reasons. One to look back and remember the experience and also let everyone else know how it really is. I am so happy to be here because this truly is a once in a life time opportunity!
My flight here was interesting. I thought I was ready but definitely NOT! I was still running around tryign to get the weight of my bags down and copies of all my papers. This is my first international flight and my first flight alone. I realized two things: I am not as independent as I think I am and have no idea what anyone is saying. I rode on a French airline called Corsairway, it is a charter bus plane and the cheapest flight available. ALMOST 400 dollars less!!! Upon check in they gave me directions in French. I know I am goign to a French speaking country but I know almost nothing. Actually, I know nothing! Luckily, he points so I avoided that awkward blank stare. Once I got to the counter I was worried he would not speak English well. Seeing as this is my flight to leave I was relieved he only spoke English too. I did not want to mess anything up and miss the flight.
After weighing my bags. It came up to 32 kilos. over the limit! After removing ALOT of my clothes, the scale disappointed me again. He didn't charge me though. I think because we are both young and the other workers have no idea what we are saying anyways. Thank goodness! I did not want to pay 15 per kilo over! I turned in my luggage and hunted for my mom. After searching, I gave up and slowly headed to the boarding area.
My mom has never failed me and in the distance I saw her frantically walking as fast as she could looking for my flight. She is legally disabled, so her walking fast is a HUGE deal. (She payed for it the next day. )Our eyes locked and it was like a slow motion seen of running/ walking fast to give each other a hug. As we walked where I board, we said our good byes. Turning around and seeing her crying it FINALLY hit me I am leaving for France!I lose everything and everyone warned me about people stealing your passport, etc. Well I went through security. First, you have to show your passport. Second, you have to put all your stuff in the bins, including shoes. My passport would be the one to fall out of the bin.So I frantically looked for the passport stopped the whole security check point thinking someone stole it but the guy found it in the machine.
Once I got to the gate, I texted and facebooked from my phone for the last time and waited for my row to be called. I 'm not sure if they really called my row but they let me in and I discovered I had the whole row to myself! I was surprised how laxed security is. I was expecting to be drilled and interrogated. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a French airline or any that is not a US do it! The English translations are so funny!
My flight took off at 8:30pm and planned to land at 11:30 am in Paris. Even though it was early as soon as we could take off our seat belts I passed out until they brought out food. The plane gave us two meals: dinner and breakfast. Dinner was amazing. Maybe it was the low expectation or the beer but I loved it. It had a salad , fish , dessert and FREE Alcohol! Breakfast did not have beer only OJ and bagels, yogurt, and muffins. They showed cartoons with no voices such as Tom and Jerry the entire plane ride. I don't think anyone was watching but it was nice to be able to follow along.Once the plane ride was over the real adventure began. I searched for a classmate I was suppposed to be meeting but I realized we were not at the same airport and would have to fend for myself. I struggled to get to the train station which left for Angers. With ALOT of help and pointing I found the place to buy a ticket and board. A nice, older man helped me find my seat and told me my exit. I tried hard not to sleep but slept 99% of it.
I had high hope that I would be able to find the school till the taxis ride. I gave the driver the wrong addrsss and ended up staranded. The Vice President found me wandering and offered to drive me to the correct campus. He also gave me water, candy and swag. We are best friends now. lol.
Finally, I got to my room. The room itself is pretty nice . It feels like a cruise room. It is compact and tiny. The toilet and shower are in a small cramped space a little bigger than a porta potty. The shower is controlled by the sink too. After organizing my room, I miss my mountain of clothes and will probally hate these clothes since I only have 12 outfits for 5 months! I hate to go shopping but I may have to!Revoir!
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