So, i'm finally caught up in my posts. finally.
I'm going to Ireland/Scotland tomorrow for about 2 weeks so I probably won't be posting for a while and when I get back I'll be behind again in my posts. Great. So, today, i'm hanging low, playing housewife, doing my laundry, groveries, cleaning. One of the girls i work with is taking over my room while I'm gone so i have to get ready for her.
a bientot. Guinness here I come. I hate Guinness
Monday, February 19
The Weather
I know that in Canada, you guys are getting some crazy weather and so I thought I would write a post about how nice it actually is here. Ha.
I had a tshirt on yesterday. I didnt even need a sweater or anything. It was actually sunny for the whole weekend with no rain. Which, I'm sure is some kind of record or something. Of course since i had to work the whole weekend, I couldnt enjoy it really. But now, I have a day off.. and its overcast. but, still not rain so its a great day!
now, when it gets nice out, French people love sitting outside on patios of restaurants for hours on end. And, since our restaurant faces the seine and Notre Dame, we get a lot of people who like to sit outside. Working the terrasse is awful. you have to keep walking back and forth getting things, bringing things in, getting people change. It's annoying.
The other day (this is seriously the funniest thing Ive seen since I got here) there was a group of people who wanted to sit outside so they took it upon themselves (before I even saw them outside) to take all the remaining chairs that werent being used from the other talbes to use for themselves. Now, since there wasnt a table, they set the chairs up in a circle on the cement. By goodness, I came outside and i saw a group of about 9 people sitting in a circle without a table and i lost it. I had to walk inside again because it was so funny. one of the girls came in and asked if they could have a table outside and it took all of inner energy to not laugh in her face. I wanted to tell her that her and her group of friends looked ridiculous sitting there without a table. it was seriously the funniest thing ever. Another man found an available chair and was just sitting there facing the street, watching the people, no company and was leaning his arm of a plant (also no table) man, it was funny.
I had a tshirt on yesterday. I didnt even need a sweater or anything. It was actually sunny for the whole weekend with no rain. Which, I'm sure is some kind of record or something. Of course since i had to work the whole weekend, I couldnt enjoy it really. But now, I have a day off.. and its overcast. but, still not rain so its a great day!
now, when it gets nice out, French people love sitting outside on patios of restaurants for hours on end. And, since our restaurant faces the seine and Notre Dame, we get a lot of people who like to sit outside. Working the terrasse is awful. you have to keep walking back and forth getting things, bringing things in, getting people change. It's annoying.
The other day (this is seriously the funniest thing Ive seen since I got here) there was a group of people who wanted to sit outside so they took it upon themselves (before I even saw them outside) to take all the remaining chairs that werent being used from the other talbes to use for themselves. Now, since there wasnt a table, they set the chairs up in a circle on the cement. By goodness, I came outside and i saw a group of about 9 people sitting in a circle without a table and i lost it. I had to walk inside again because it was so funny. one of the girls came in and asked if they could have a table outside and it took all of inner energy to not laugh in her face. I wanted to tell her that her and her group of friends looked ridiculous sitting there without a table. it was seriously the funniest thing ever. Another man found an available chair and was just sitting there facing the street, watching the people, no company and was leaning his arm of a plant (also no table) man, it was funny.
Rouen
I went to Rouen last Monday just for the day. I went by myself. It was nice to get out of Paris. I think that no matter what city you're in, sometimes you need a change. So, I decided that particular day was as good as any to go to Rouen. I took the train which took about an hour to get there. Rouen is the place where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. and since i've done a few essays/projects of her, I thought it would be really cool. So, I got off the train and went to the "accueil" which is the information booth. I asked for a map (une carte) and the lady (who acted like it was a huge inconvienence for her to actually answer me) told me they didnt have any. Gee, thanks lady.
So, I went out and started exploring. As soon as I stepped out of the train station, it started to rain. big surprise. Right then, I was not happy I was in Rouen. So far, I had been fined, the info desk was of no help and it was raining. So, I started walking down the street and saw a sign for a tourist office. Excellent. Information. There, they gave me a map and advised me of some places to visit. They told me that the huge cathedrale that is in Rouen (one that Monet painted quite a few times..) was going to be open at 2pm (it was 11am) I thanked them for being helpful and went on my way. I was seriously the only tourist in Rouen that day. I dont know why they had three nicely dressed ladies working in the tourist office because I was clearly the only etrangere in the city.
The first place I went to was where Joan of Arc was burnt and they have a huge cross there, as well as a little chapel and a museum. So, I toured all of these things. I was the first person that day in the museum (the man hadnt even turned on the lights yet) and it was sort of dungeon-y in there so I left as soon as I could.
I went to the river (which is pretty much identical to the one in Paris except that Paris' is nicer. I sat there and ate my packed lunch. (oh, its still raining/misting by the way) and then I decided to tour some more. I walked around the little streets, looked at the buildings, the people, the shops.
At 2pm, I was standing outside of the cathedrale starring at a note that said that the cathedrale wasnt opening today because of the prefecture, which is like a government office or something. I went into the tourist office and advised them that the cathedrale wasnt open and she said (as if it made so much sense) that it was because it was too windy today and she went back to work. this seems to happen quite often. I was left standing there dumb-founded trying to decide if she had said wind or maybe something else that would actually make sense. I ran the whole convo through my mind again and yes, she definitely said wind. I left the office actually laughing. only in france.
So, since there was nothing left for me to do in rouen except go up the tower that Joan of Arc stayed in until she died, I decided that I would catch an earlier train home. (the tower was super cool. Joan of Arc only had little peep wholes that she could see out of, otherwise the tower was completely dark)
I caught an earlier train home and had dinner at the girls place and went out to the bar.
a bientot,
So, I went out and started exploring. As soon as I stepped out of the train station, it started to rain. big surprise. Right then, I was not happy I was in Rouen. So far, I had been fined, the info desk was of no help and it was raining. So, I started walking down the street and saw a sign for a tourist office. Excellent. Information. There, they gave me a map and advised me of some places to visit. They told me that the huge cathedrale that is in Rouen (one that Monet painted quite a few times..) was going to be open at 2pm (it was 11am) I thanked them for being helpful and went on my way. I was seriously the only tourist in Rouen that day. I dont know why they had three nicely dressed ladies working in the tourist office because I was clearly the only etrangere in the city.
The first place I went to was where Joan of Arc was burnt and they have a huge cross there, as well as a little chapel and a museum. So, I toured all of these things. I was the first person that day in the museum (the man hadnt even turned on the lights yet) and it was sort of dungeon-y in there so I left as soon as I could.
I went to the river (which is pretty much identical to the one in Paris except that Paris' is nicer. I sat there and ate my packed lunch. (oh, its still raining/misting by the way) and then I decided to tour some more. I walked around the little streets, looked at the buildings, the people, the shops.
At 2pm, I was standing outside of the cathedrale starring at a note that said that the cathedrale wasnt opening today because of the prefecture, which is like a government office or something. I went into the tourist office and advised them that the cathedrale wasnt open and she said (as if it made so much sense) that it was because it was too windy today and she went back to work. this seems to happen quite often. I was left standing there dumb-founded trying to decide if she had said wind or maybe something else that would actually make sense. I ran the whole convo through my mind again and yes, she definitely said wind. I left the office actually laughing. only in france.
So, since there was nothing left for me to do in rouen except go up the tower that Joan of Arc stayed in until she died, I decided that I would catch an earlier train home. (the tower was super cool. Joan of Arc only had little peep wholes that she could see out of, otherwise the tower was completely dark)
I caught an earlier train home and had dinner at the girls place and went out to the bar.
a bientot,
Friday, February 16
being fined
I have been fined twice since I've been in France.
The first time I went shoppping in zone 5. Paris is set up in zones and so if you're taking the metro, you have to make sure that you have the proper ticket for the proper zone and that time, i didnt. I knew very well that I didnt have the right ticket but i was being cheap and i didnt want to buy one. turns out, as I stepped off of the metro, there were about 20 officers checking tickets and i got caught. i had to pay a 25 euro fine. (the ticket would have cost me 3) and so i was really mad. I was fighting with the guy saying that i didnt know and that this was my first week in Paris and he wasnt buying it. I got fined.
The second time was the other day when I went to a little town north of Paris called Rouen (more about that trip later..) and i forgot to compost my ticket. Now, composting your ticket means that you have to stick it in this thing that makes the date on it. It has no purpose whatsoever because they still have train guys checking the tickets anyways when you get on the train. Its completely useless. and i was fined 10 euros. I was also fighting with this man, trying to be nice but firm at the same time telling him I didnt know you had to compost your ticket which is a complete lie and he also wasnt buying it.
now, had of i been in Canada and the police or someone stopped me because i didnt have the right ticket or because i forgot to do something so ridiculous, i would have gotten away with it with a warning and no fine. but here, they have no mercy. they get you where ever and whenever they can.
The first time I went shoppping in zone 5. Paris is set up in zones and so if you're taking the metro, you have to make sure that you have the proper ticket for the proper zone and that time, i didnt. I knew very well that I didnt have the right ticket but i was being cheap and i didnt want to buy one. turns out, as I stepped off of the metro, there were about 20 officers checking tickets and i got caught. i had to pay a 25 euro fine. (the ticket would have cost me 3) and so i was really mad. I was fighting with the guy saying that i didnt know and that this was my first week in Paris and he wasnt buying it. I got fined.
The second time was the other day when I went to a little town north of Paris called Rouen (more about that trip later..) and i forgot to compost my ticket. Now, composting your ticket means that you have to stick it in this thing that makes the date on it. It has no purpose whatsoever because they still have train guys checking the tickets anyways when you get on the train. Its completely useless. and i was fined 10 euros. I was also fighting with this man, trying to be nice but firm at the same time telling him I didnt know you had to compost your ticket which is a complete lie and he also wasnt buying it.
now, had of i been in Canada and the police or someone stopped me because i didnt have the right ticket or because i forgot to do something so ridiculous, i would have gotten away with it with a warning and no fine. but here, they have no mercy. they get you where ever and whenever they can.
Wednesday, February 14
Vimy Ridge
I went to Lille, which is a little town just north of Paris a little while ago to visit these teaching assistants that I met while in Paris. I stayed over at their place one night and then we went to Vimy Ridge the next day to see the trenches from WW1. This is where the Canadians helped the French regain their ground. The Germans where occupying Vimy and no other troops where able to help the French except the Canadians and the Australians. They have a huge monument there as well as a museum. It was really cool being there because you were on Canadian ground and there were lots of Canadian flags around. It was nice because I felt at home there.
So, we take the train to Arras, which is also a little town north of Paris and then we have to take a taxi from Arras to Vimy Ridge which isnt very far. I was surprised that they didnt have some kind of a transportation system set up for people who want to visit the monument. You would think that in the summer time, there would be tons of tourists who would want to come and see the monument and that they should have some kind of shuttle, but they dont. So, we got to the site, and we were the only ones there. It was really weird. So, we walked around a little bit (if you get the chance.. check out my pics from Vimy on photos.yahoo.com/mandylynnmurray) we saw the trenches, saw the museum, had a guided tour, saw the cemetary, saw the monument and it was overwhelming being there. I was so proud to say I was Canadian. It was incredible.
So, we take the train to Arras, which is also a little town north of Paris and then we have to take a taxi from Arras to Vimy Ridge which isnt very far. I was surprised that they didnt have some kind of a transportation system set up for people who want to visit the monument. You would think that in the summer time, there would be tons of tourists who would want to come and see the monument and that they should have some kind of shuttle, but they dont. So, we got to the site, and we were the only ones there. It was really weird. So, we walked around a little bit (if you get the chance.. check out my pics from Vimy on photos.yahoo.com/mandylynnmurray) we saw the trenches, saw the museum, had a guided tour, saw the cemetary, saw the monument and it was overwhelming being there. I was so proud to say I was Canadian. It was incredible.
Marie Antoinette
We went to see the movie Marie Antoinette here in English with French subtitles. It was really cool because the movie is set at the Chateau de Versailles which is just outside of Paris and I've been there twice, once with Paul and once the first week I got here. This is the first time I've actually recognized a place in a movie and it was really cool because I was able to say that I was there. I was in the room where the queen used to sleep, where a lot of the movie was based, and I was walking through the grounds of the Chateau. It was very cool. The movie itself was very bad but I wasnt really paying attention to the plot because I was watching the setting.
Monday, February 12
The Great Canadian
Every day I go to work, I walk past Notre Dame de Paris and I see the Louvre. This is just sinking in. In the summer, when I went to work, I got to bike by the Ceeps bar in London. How things change.
Friday, February 9
bars
lately, I've been going out quite a bit.. which, i guess would make me somewhat of a bar star. It's weird working in a bar because you see all of these people out for a good time and it makes you want to go to out and have a good time. So, we've been trying all of these English bars that people have been telling me about and they are tons of fun. It's weird because you see a lot of the same people at the different Enlgish speaking bars that you go to so it makes it pretty fun€ because you start recognizing people.. (like last night I met this girl at a bar and i ended up knowing her friends because i had met them another night..) now, knowing people can be really fun unless of course you make a fool out of yourself one night..(which I NEVER do..) For example, I made a fool out of myself ONCE (jsut this once..) at an Irish bar and the next week, the bartendar that was working at that particular bar that night came into my bar to eat. Man, it was very embarrassing because I made quite a spectacle of myself. so then i had to apologize. talk about embarrassing. haha..
so, most of the time, we will start out at the apartment drinking wine then we'll go to the Latin Quarter where all the English bars are and then end up at the Highlander which is a Scottish bar near my bar. It closes at 5am but you have to get there before 3am because they wont let you into the bar anytime after 3am. They have neighbours that complain about the noise all the time so they have these strict rules. The bouncers are these crazy scary scary black men that dont mess around and so you have to be really quiet going up to the bar and you cannot appear tipsy at all or else they wont let you in. ha- its crazy and SO fun.
so, most nights when I'm not working (and after work as well,) we end up at the highlander and stay out all night, getting home at about 6am. man, its so fun.
J'aime Paris. I feel like Im living in some surreal world that doesnt actually exist because the bars are open so late and you can pretty much do whatever you want. you can drink in the metro or on the street, no one cares. you would NEVER find a bar in Canada that serves alcohol after 2am but here, they sell it all hours of the night.
so, most of the time, we will start out at the apartment drinking wine then we'll go to the Latin Quarter where all the English bars are and then end up at the Highlander which is a Scottish bar near my bar. It closes at 5am but you have to get there before 3am because they wont let you into the bar anytime after 3am. They have neighbours that complain about the noise all the time so they have these strict rules. The bouncers are these crazy scary scary black men that dont mess around and so you have to be really quiet going up to the bar and you cannot appear tipsy at all or else they wont let you in. ha- its crazy and SO fun.
so, most nights when I'm not working (and after work as well,) we end up at the highlander and stay out all night, getting home at about 6am. man, its so fun.
J'aime Paris. I feel like Im living in some surreal world that doesnt actually exist because the bars are open so late and you can pretty much do whatever you want. you can drink in the metro or on the street, no one cares. you would NEVER find a bar in Canada that serves alcohol after 2am but here, they sell it all hours of the night.
Thursday, February 8
January
well, now that I'm done telling you about Christmas/New Years/travelling/Paul, I can talk about January. (Im over a month behind- this is ridiculous)
So, the day after Paul left, I started my new job. I work at the Great Canadian Pub in Paris, France. It had the best location of any bar in Paris. It's right on the seine, right near Notre Dame and not far from the Louvre. Most of the tourist spots are close to the bar and so we obviously get a lot of tourists. There are tons of Americans, Canadians, Australias and English tourists who come in. Its great. I absolutely love working there. Being a bartendar is so easy (most of the time..) and tons of fun. My job consists of pouring beers and talking to people. Its awesome. my first 2 days working, I worked 25 hours in 36 hours. It was nuts. I hardly slept at all. And, since I live pretty far away from the bar, it takes me about an hour or so to get home at night and about a half hour to get there in the morning, so that also adds onto my night. But, I wouldnt trade it. Its great. I've met so many young people. I really enjoy the girls that I work with as well. They are all Canadians and are mostly from Toronto area.
So, the day after Paul left, I started my new job. I work at the Great Canadian Pub in Paris, France. It had the best location of any bar in Paris. It's right on the seine, right near Notre Dame and not far from the Louvre. Most of the tourist spots are close to the bar and so we obviously get a lot of tourists. There are tons of Americans, Canadians, Australias and English tourists who come in. Its great. I absolutely love working there. Being a bartendar is so easy (most of the time..) and tons of fun. My job consists of pouring beers and talking to people. Its awesome. my first 2 days working, I worked 25 hours in 36 hours. It was nuts. I hardly slept at all. And, since I live pretty far away from the bar, it takes me about an hour or so to get home at night and about a half hour to get there in the morning, so that also adds onto my night. But, I wouldnt trade it. Its great. I've met so many young people. I really enjoy the girls that I work with as well. They are all Canadians and are mostly from Toronto area.
Wednesday, February 7
my carte louvre jeune
At the Louvre, you can get a yearly pass if you are under 26 years old that costs 15 euros. now, considering it costs 8 euros to go into the louvre for one day, this is a pretty good deal. The only thing about this, is that you have to go when the office is open to get this card because they take your picture and everything.. its like standing in line to get your health card or your passport or something.. so, Paul and i went the one day and with a bit of luck, there were only 2 people in front of us. This was awesome. We both sat down together and got ready to fill out these forms and the lady asked us for a piece of ID to prove we were under 26. Paul pulls out his and I go to get mine and realize that I had left them all at home. This is because when Paul and I were in Munich I had to leave a few pieces of ID at the desk at the hostel and I had put them in a different wallet that I didnt have on me at the Louvre. clearly.
so, on day one of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune I forgot my ID. on day two of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune (the next day) the louvre was having an evacuation for whatever reason. (who knows.. France gives no answers..) on day three of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune the office was closed (i'm not sure why this surprised me because everything in France closes for no reason at some point or another) So, i went to the information desk and starting speaking to the guy in english, telling him that the office was closed, that i wanted to get my carte louvre jeune, that i had already tried to do this twice before and wasnt able to (i didnt mention that one of those times was my fault. clearly..) and that i wanted to get my carte louvre jeune today because i wasnt going to pay the admission again (i had done it on day one) the man said there was nothing he could do, that the office was separate from him. I then responded in french and almost immediately, he called his supervisor to see what the problem was with the office. I couldnt believe how quickly he was able to help me when i started speaking french. he got off the phone with his supervisor and they said that they didnt have enough people to work in the office and thats why they closed it. he said he was sorry and that i could fill out a complaint form and explain the situation and that i wanted reimbursed for my admission into the louvre on day three. i filled out the form totally convinced that they would reimburse me ( i got a letter in the mail the other day telling me that they were glad i took interest in the louvre but unfortunuatly it says on the back of my ticket that they can't reimburse me. thanks) so, so far, ive paid the admission twice which is 16 euros. and in case you forget the price of the carte louvre jeune, it was 15 euros. gr- was i mad.
so, on day four of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune (this is still all while Paul was here..) i succeeded. i went to the office about 45 mins before it was scheduled to close ( i dont even know why they have schedules here because they clearly dont follow them..) I walked up to the entrance and the man was just about to lock the doors because they were closing early again. In france, all the doors are locked at the bottom. So, he was down on his knees and he didnt really see me sneak in the other door that he hadnt locked yet until i was in the door. he told me that they were closing the office and that i would have to come back again another time. I said no, i wasnt coming back and that i was getting my card today. he looked at me and said that the office was closed. I said i realized it was closed but the one door was open and i was getting my carte louvre jeune today. and he left me alone. ha. finally, i won. so, i finally got my card and i havent used it since.
so, on day one of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune I forgot my ID. on day two of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune (the next day) the louvre was having an evacuation for whatever reason. (who knows.. France gives no answers..) on day three of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune the office was closed (i'm not sure why this surprised me because everything in France closes for no reason at some point or another) So, i went to the information desk and starting speaking to the guy in english, telling him that the office was closed, that i wanted to get my carte louvre jeune, that i had already tried to do this twice before and wasnt able to (i didnt mention that one of those times was my fault. clearly..) and that i wanted to get my carte louvre jeune today because i wasnt going to pay the admission again (i had done it on day one) the man said there was nothing he could do, that the office was separate from him. I then responded in french and almost immediately, he called his supervisor to see what the problem was with the office. I couldnt believe how quickly he was able to help me when i started speaking french. he got off the phone with his supervisor and they said that they didnt have enough people to work in the office and thats why they closed it. he said he was sorry and that i could fill out a complaint form and explain the situation and that i wanted reimbursed for my admission into the louvre on day three. i filled out the form totally convinced that they would reimburse me ( i got a letter in the mail the other day telling me that they were glad i took interest in the louvre but unfortunuatly it says on the back of my ticket that they can't reimburse me. thanks) so, so far, ive paid the admission twice which is 16 euros. and in case you forget the price of the carte louvre jeune, it was 15 euros. gr- was i mad.
so, on day four of me trying to get my carte louvre jeune (this is still all while Paul was here..) i succeeded. i went to the office about 45 mins before it was scheduled to close ( i dont even know why they have schedules here because they clearly dont follow them..) I walked up to the entrance and the man was just about to lock the doors because they were closing early again. In france, all the doors are locked at the bottom. So, he was down on his knees and he didnt really see me sneak in the other door that he hadnt locked yet until i was in the door. he told me that they were closing the office and that i would have to come back again another time. I said no, i wasnt coming back and that i was getting my card today. he looked at me and said that the office was closed. I said i realized it was closed but the one door was open and i was getting my carte louvre jeune today. and he left me alone. ha. finally, i won. so, i finally got my card and i havent used it since.
Tuesday, February 6
Christmas and New Years
For Christmas, Paul and I had bought some chicken and cooked it. It wasnt quite as good as my home cooked turkey and homemade dressing that Im used to but it was the best we could do. Paul did an excellent job. We didnt really do too much else that day. It was pretty quiet day and Im glad that Paul was here.
For New Years, we went to this dinner party with Tracy (one of the Canadian girls here) and her boyfriend Mike. We didnt so much have a good time there because by the time we got there, they had already eaten and they were getting ready to go out (it was 8:30pm). I didnt think this was a good idea because a) if you go out that early, you'll be home before it turns nidnight and b) its very expensive to be buying drinks for that long. I suggested that we go back to Tracy's house after the really really bad dinner party (they didnt even have music on...) and drink a little and then meet them at the bar. So, we did that. well, we kind of did that. We ended up just staying at Tracy's apartment for the whole night. At midnight, we were up on the roof of her apartment (which was awesome and extremely daangerous.) It was a really good night. Paul and I took the metro home to my place because my house was also having a party. We got there at about 3am and the party was still going strong. I didnt go to bed until about 5am and Paul didnt go to bed until about 8am. It was a great night.
I had wanted to be under the eiffel tower at midnight but it was raining and gross and so we decided not to do that.. it ended up being a really fun night.
I also tried escargo that night at my house which is something I never would have done at home. I was actually proud of myself because normally I do not try new things. I actually liked it. That's the crazy part.
For New Years, we went to this dinner party with Tracy (one of the Canadian girls here) and her boyfriend Mike. We didnt so much have a good time there because by the time we got there, they had already eaten and they were getting ready to go out (it was 8:30pm). I didnt think this was a good idea because a) if you go out that early, you'll be home before it turns nidnight and b) its very expensive to be buying drinks for that long. I suggested that we go back to Tracy's house after the really really bad dinner party (they didnt even have music on...) and drink a little and then meet them at the bar. So, we did that. well, we kind of did that. We ended up just staying at Tracy's apartment for the whole night. At midnight, we were up on the roof of her apartment (which was awesome and extremely daangerous.) It was a really good night. Paul and I took the metro home to my place because my house was also having a party. We got there at about 3am and the party was still going strong. I didnt go to bed until about 5am and Paul didnt go to bed until about 8am. It was a great night.
I had wanted to be under the eiffel tower at midnight but it was raining and gross and so we decided not to do that.. it ended up being a really fun night.
I also tried escargo that night at my house which is something I never would have done at home. I was actually proud of myself because normally I do not try new things. I actually liked it. That's the crazy part.
Monday, February 5
train ride
Paul and I took an overnight train from Munchen to Paris. We got to the train station WAY before our train was going to leave so that we wouldn't miss it. We got on the train and found our compartment. I had been told that these compartments were small but that is a huge misunderestimation. The rooms are SO small. They are about the size of a small compact vehicle. and they sleep 6 people. There are 2 bunk beds with three beds each. and basically no room between the two sets of beds. oh, and there are 6 people who all arrive basically at the same time who want to get their stuff organized so that they can go to sleep. oh, and there's two men who snore all night and dont allow anyone else to get any sleep. Our train left at 10pm but obviously, I wasnt ready to sleep yet. there isnt anything else you could really do except sleep because you didnt have an actual seat. You had to lie in your bed. Paul was too big for the bed so you can imagine how small these beds where. Paul isnt really that tall. I dont know how the men slept in the beds. but they did, because they snored the whole night. I hardly slept because of the snoring but when I finally got to sleep, I had a great sleep. and it sure beat taking the bus.
We arrived back in Paris at about 6:30am and it was still dark out. We got on the metro and came back to my place.
We arrived back in Paris at about 6:30am and it was still dark out. We got on the metro and came back to my place.
Thursday, February 1
Munchen cont'd
Paul, Graham and I went back to our hostel for happy hour where (of course) they had really really cheap beer. We hung out there for a while then started booking our stuff for Berlin because we were taking a flight there the next day.
We went to bed and got up early the next day to catch our flight. Our flight was at 8:25am. I'm not sure if any of you have checked out my pictures yet but there is a picture of a clock in the airport that says 8:30am. We missed our flight. We got to the airport about 10 mins before the flight was scheduled to leave and they wouldnt let us check in. The only reason (well, there were two reasons) why we didnt get on our flight was because 1) we had drank too much the night before and didnt allow ourselves enough time in the morning- we had both agreed that an hour and a half is tons of time to get up, get ready, take the metro 45mins, check in and get on our flight. Turns out in wasnt and 2) we were in the metro station trying to get on our metro that only left every 20mins and the doors wouldnt open. had of we made that metro, we would have been able to go to Berlin.
So, after we missed our flight we were trying to decide what to do. There was a germanwings counter (we were supposed to fly with germanwings) near by and so we went there. The man told us that we could just switch our flight to a later one that day. Great. That sounds easy and promising. Oh no. of course not. Because it was so close to Christmas, all the flights going from Munchen to Berlin (there were 4) that day were full. Oh, and all the flights going the next day were also full. Great. Thanks. So, we took the metro back to the hostel and decided what to do. We booked an overnight train back to Paris leaving that night and so it ended up that we had another day in Munchen (which was alright considering we both really liked Munchen) so we walked around, saw some more sights, ate out (kabob..) and then got to the train station in PLENTLY of time for our overnight train.
ridiculous.
a bientot
We went to bed and got up early the next day to catch our flight. Our flight was at 8:25am. I'm not sure if any of you have checked out my pictures yet but there is a picture of a clock in the airport that says 8:30am. We missed our flight. We got to the airport about 10 mins before the flight was scheduled to leave and they wouldnt let us check in. The only reason (well, there were two reasons) why we didnt get on our flight was because 1) we had drank too much the night before and didnt allow ourselves enough time in the morning- we had both agreed that an hour and a half is tons of time to get up, get ready, take the metro 45mins, check in and get on our flight. Turns out in wasnt and 2) we were in the metro station trying to get on our metro that only left every 20mins and the doors wouldnt open. had of we made that metro, we would have been able to go to Berlin.
So, after we missed our flight we were trying to decide what to do. There was a germanwings counter (we were supposed to fly with germanwings) near by and so we went there. The man told us that we could just switch our flight to a later one that day. Great. That sounds easy and promising. Oh no. of course not. Because it was so close to Christmas, all the flights going from Munchen to Berlin (there were 4) that day were full. Oh, and all the flights going the next day were also full. Great. Thanks. So, we took the metro back to the hostel and decided what to do. We booked an overnight train back to Paris leaving that night and so it ended up that we had another day in Munchen (which was alright considering we both really liked Munchen) so we walked around, saw some more sights, ate out (kabob..) and then got to the train station in PLENTLY of time for our overnight train.
ridiculous.
a bientot
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