There I was... Sitting in the terminal at Charlotte International Airport waiting to catch my flight to Boston, starting my series of three flights which will eventually land me in Paris, France. I purchased a one way ticket on a whim, trying out my newfound spontaneity. I'm usually a very methodical person who requires lists and itineraries in order to feel at ease. So, to say the least, I was far from at ease right at that point. One hour before departure and I'm getting more nervous by the second. I'm alone, flying to a foreign country where I do not speak the language, I have to find my way through airports, train stations, hotels, taking me all the way to Cazeres sur Garonne in the south of France to live with complete strangers doing odd tasks of which most I have never done. The excitement is building more and more as I type this. And when I say excitement I mean nervousness. There is a small part of me saying, "WTF. What am I doing right now??" And it doesn't seem that small right now. But hey, maybe it's not nervousness at all. Maybe it's just the double shot of espresso I had just downed... Why did I do that?!? My stomach can't handle that right now!
With flight one down, Boston looks awesome from the sky! I should have just vacationed there! They speak English! Well, sort of... I was wandering aimlessly through the wrong terminal (of course) and once I finally did break down to ask for help, nope. No help whatsoever. Instead I found a younger guy was kind of attractive once you got past the Boston accent (not a fan). But I do remember him smelling amazing! I think it was the two pizzas he was carrying and I had not eaten much on the plane... But he pointed me in the right direction and I was off again.
Flight two was the long one but it wasn't too bad. But really, what is it with me and long international flights and getting the one freakin' seat that doesn't recline?!? They always recline! Unless I would really like it to... But I got past that and watched "The Artist". Of which I really enjoyed it. And it being a silent film I wasn't too upset at having to listen with just one ear since I did not have the stupid two pronged headphones that are required to planes... But overall, a decent experience.
Landed in Dublin... Well, to make a long story short... You have to go through security all over again for a connecting flight?? Really, Dublin?? Dumb. So I barely had time to shop for a fridge magnet that implies I've spent time in Dublin when obviously, no I haven't. Eh well... Next time.
Then Paris! Talk about an amazing customs department! "Bonjour, bonjour." Stamp. Done. Awesome. But then it hit. Nothing is in English! It's an international airport, why is everything only in French?? The effects of the double espresso came coursing back through me as I was trying to find the right train that would take me where I needed to go. But as it turned out... That was easy. The hard part was getting on the right train since nothing was in English and you don't know which platform your train will show up until it's already getting set to leave the station.
The past 24 hours has been a hazy, sleep deprived blur, but somehow my ass is sitting in the room I reserved for myself in Toulouse in the south of France. I survived day one!
