Ah, la France...

The boulangeries. The trains. The cigarettes. The goddamn wretched back-asswards keyboards. I must be back in Frog land!!!

After a long flight (which wasn't too bad thanks to the Valium Jess gave), I landed in Paris, waited in the customs line from hell, then embarked on the voyage to Reims. I highly advise against hauling 100 or so pounds worth of stuff around Paris-- this morning (rather, this afternoon) I woke up so sore and bruised it was ridiculous. Not to mention my mini meltdown in the middle of Gare de l'Est when I was worried I took the wrong Metro stop and would have to haul my bags up and down yet more stairs. On the plus side, I caught a brief glimpse of the Eiffel Tower on one of my many train rides.

Long story short, I made it to Reims. I fought jet lag yesterday by wandering around town, getting my cell phone set up, etc. (btw, apparently there is some issue with receiving texts from the US. I got one from Ally in England just fine, and can send them, but have gotten none back from any Americans. Call your carriers and complain people!!!)

Orientation starts tomorrow, and I have already met lots of other assistants. We went to dinner last night and shared a "girafe" which is basically a tall cylinder of beer with a spout, we each got two glasses out of it. Good deal indeed. I have yet to satisfy my kebab fix though, I did stop into one but they didn't have any poulet (chicken) so instead of looking for another one I just grabbed some pizza. Very French, I know.

The cathedral here is incredible but I don't know if it is any more/less impressive than St Julien. Yes, many a French king had their coronation there, and the outside details (gargoyles, etc) are impressive. But there's something so sacrilige about a gift shop in a church...

OK, I've had about enough of this goddamn retarded French keyboard. Is it time for Champagne yet??