8/29 8:26pm Paris time:
Well, I arrived in Paris and lets just say almost everything about the last flight was just awful. The first two flights were ok, and the first part of the flight from Chicago to Paris was alright as well, but I swear, as soon as everyone started falling asleep, the babies started crying. After that, no one got any sleep and towards the end of the flight, I started getting nauseous. Once we landed, I started getting really stressed because there was all this stuff in front of my to do: get my luggage, go through customs, get on the airport tram, get on the metro, find my hostel... all while only speaking English. It seemed like everytime I accomplished something, another thing would pop up. But after about 3 hours from when I got off the plane, I walked into the hostel, St. Christophers. I didn't know what to expect, but the first guy at the reservations' desk was extremely nice and helped me find a locker for my stuff and where to go to the ATM and he didn't seem to mind me asking a hundred questions.
On my trip to the ATM, I saw a "Pharmacie" and I was thinking, if this is anything like Walgreens, then I can find Shampoo and Conditioner. After signing with the lady and us just shaking our heads a lot, she helped me pick some out. I was proud of myself too, because she said the price in French and I knew exactly how much it was. As long as I don't go over 20 Euros when I'm buying something, I should be ok. Hell, when in doubt, I'll just hand them enough so I need change.
For about 2 hours I had to wait for the rooms to be cleaned, but I was really happy when I saw where I was staying. They are kind of like bunk beds, but each has a curtain and I can completely close myself off from the rest of the room. So, instead of having to lock all my stuff underneath the beds in the lockers, I've been putting the important stuff in the bed with me. Another girl, Amelia, is sharing my bunk (I have the top). She's from Australia and is traveling around for a few months before she starts her 2 year working Visa in English. She and her friend invited me to go out with them tonight, but I honestly don't think I can do it. Besides being more tired than imaginable, I'm hot and sweaty and up until about 2 hours ago, I was still a bit nauseous.
I spent a couple hours getting all my stuff in order and then I decided to walk down the busy street near the hostel (it sort of reminds me of downtown Austin). I had planned to take the Metro into central Paris this afternoon, but I decided to explore near me, just so I wouldn't be stuck anywhere away from my hostel and really exhausted. After walking around for about 30 minutes, I finally had the courage to go into a little Sandwich/Pizzaria. Since "dinner" on the plane last night, I've just had clif bars and I was really hungry. I was nervous about having to figure out how to order, but it ended up that the guy working the register spoke some english and he was really excited to talk to me. Although, the funny thing, he didn't know where Texas was, but the non-english speaking guy did and so he was explaining to him in French where I was from and it was just funny.They taught me what a few pizza toppings were in French and helped me pick out a pizza wrap thing.
I really wish I had the energy to go out and sitesee today, but I guess I'm also thinking about how I have 2 weeks of traveling in front of me, and if I don't get enough sleep now, I'm sure I will be too exhausted later. So, today was mainly about getting to the hostel and preparing for the next three days in Paris. Luckily, I didn't plan anything big for today... either something I'm going to do later (Eiffel Tower) or something that I can either fit in on another day or skip altogether. Also, I wasn't planning on the weather, so today I have either been too hot or too cold. Tomorrow, I'll have a better adjustment and can be prepared and not soaked in sweat or freezing.
Also, for those wondering or skeptical about taking the Pillow Pet (lol). Best. decision. ever.
This is for Holly - I tried to use the straightener today... I think rubbing my hands together creates more heat. Thank you so much for letting me use it (because it was going to such big use with you in Texas lol), but either I'm going to have to go curly my whole trip, or use a clothes iron. For about 2 hours I had to wait for the rooms to be cleaned, but I was really happy when I saw where I was staying. They are kind of like bunk beds, but each has a curtain and I can completely close myself off from the rest of the room. So, instead of having to lock all my stuff underneath the beds in the lockers, I've been putting the important stuff in the bed with me. Another girl, Amelia, is sharing my bunk (I have the top). She's from Australia and is traveling around for a few months before she starts her 2 year working Visa in English. She and her friend invited me to go out with them tonight, but I honestly don't think I can do it. Besides being more tired than imaginable, I'm hot and sweaty and up until about 2 hours ago, I was still a bit nauseous.
I spent a couple hours getting all my stuff in order and then I decided to walk down the busy street near the hostel (it sort of reminds me of downtown Austin). I had planned to take the Metro into central Paris this afternoon, but I decided to explore near me, just so I wouldn't be stuck anywhere away from my hostel and really exhausted. After walking around for about 30 minutes, I finally had the courage to go into a little Sandwich/Pizzaria. Since "dinner" on the plane last night, I've just had clif bars and I was really hungry. I was nervous about having to figure out how to order, but it ended up that the guy working the register spoke some english and he was really excited to talk to me. Although, the funny thing, he didn't know where Texas was, but the non-english speaking guy did and so he was explaining to him in French where I was from and it was just funny.They taught me what a few pizza toppings were in French and helped me pick out a pizza wrap thing.
I really wish I had the energy to go out and sitesee today, but I guess I'm also thinking about how I have 2 weeks of traveling in front of me, and if I don't get enough sleep now, I'm sure I will be too exhausted later. So, today was mainly about getting to the hostel and preparing for the next three days in Paris. Luckily, I didn't plan anything big for today... either something I'm going to do later (Eiffel Tower) or something that I can either fit in on another day or skip altogether. Also, I wasn't planning on the weather, so today I have either been too hot or too cold. Tomorrow, I'll have a better adjustment and can be prepared and not soaked in sweat or freezing.
Also, for those wondering or skeptical about taking the Pillow Pet (lol). Best. decision. ever. It was so helpful on the plane and I'll be using her tonight as my real pillow!
This is for Holly - I tried to use the straightener today... I think rubbing my hands together creates more heat. Thank you so much for letting me use it (because it was going to such big use with you in Texas lol), but either I'm going to have to go curly my whole trip or until I find a solution, or use a clothes iron (don't worry, I won't do that!!) So far I've taken a few pictures of some things, but I think I'm going to wait until tomorrow night to upload them. Then y'all can see where I'm staying.
