French Sabbatical

Day 116 (24 October 2010) – Paris: Day 1

We made it! After fretting all week that our train would be canceled (it was but we got on another), that the train would be packed (it wasn’t), and that demonstrations would make travel impossible for us (they didn’t), we have arrived in Paris. We hustled to the train station in Nantes this afternoon, thinking we’d have to fight for our assigned seats on our 3pm train. As soon as the track number was announced, we high-tailed it out to the platform, located our car and… found our seats. No high drama at all. In fact, no one else was in the car, although others were boarding. After a 30 minute delay we were on our way, and arrived in Paris just after 5:30pm.

The train station in Paris was humming, to say the least. Lots of people, all who seemed to know what they were doing and where they were going. Except us, of course. Chloe, Ella and I used the time-tested strategy of just following Melinda. She hustles through airports and train stations like a person possessed. Remember those old OJ Simpson ads for Hertz Rent-a-Car? I think they inspired Melinda. Honestly, though, it’s not a bad strategy. She found the correct spot for the Metro, bought our tickets (including week-long passes), and even got us on the correct Metro line. Twice! So here we are in our Internet-connected, simple and traditional Parisian apartment. How cool is that?

Melinda made a great observation tonight as we walked back to our apartment after a quick dinner in the neighborhood. She said, “You know. Here we are, having just arrived in Paris and we are already adjusted to the time.” So true, so true. No jet lag to slow us down.

Let the week begin!

October 24, 2010 - Posted by Andy Smallman | Uncategorized | French Sabbatical