Way back in October/November, when I was at the height of my moving & getting settled stress, the only thing that seemed to go right for me was Neuf. Ah, the shiny little Neufbox, all lit up, that offered me endless internet and long-distance calls. It saved my life. I was a happy girl for the next several months.
In my attempt to be responsible, I mailed off my letters of notice to my landlord, utilities, etc., asking to please end all services at the end of April when I vacate my apartment. Letter stated very clearly to end service on April 30.
So what does Neuf do? While I was away in Bulgaria (yes, I'm getting around to writing a blog about those travels as well), Neuf cancelled my service. I came home to a dead Neufbox and no phone line. My savior Rich, whose French is far better than mine, called them on my behalf to find out what happened. Yup, they recieved my letter. Yup, they cancelled my service on April 9, a full 21 days early. Yup, they acknowledge this was an error on their part. And yup, in typical French fashion, they claimed there was nothing they could do to reverse this. I was officially no longer with Neuf. No more internet. No more phone. No more life as I knew it.
Jess calmed me from my complete and utter breakdown. I feel so lame for being so upset by this-- after all, I only have a few more days here and went for almost 2 months without phone & internet when I first arrived and managed. I just hate being detached from everyone back home. It sucks.
Lifesaver Rich gave me a spare set of his keys and said I can come to his place and mooch his internet whenever I need to. He may want to retract that offer soon! Unfortunately he doesn't have the phone deal I had, so I went and bought a phone card today so I can use his phone and not be subjected to stupid payphones.
So, way to go Neuf. For probably the first time in French history, you were ahead of the game. And you ruined my life in the process. Moral of the story: Being responsible and giving 30 days' notice will come back to haunt you.
I am so ready to come home...
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wien & Le Sleaze Parisien
No, that is not German for "wine." It is the German, or if you get technical, Austrian spellling of Vienna. I've been here since about 11:30AM, and now only have a couple of hours left til my flight to Sofia.
The morning started off OK. I caught the 5AM train to Paris and while sitting in the train station overheard 2 girls speaking English. But... I didn't know them. How could there be ANY anglophone in Troyes that I had not encountered?! Turns out the girls are Irish and have been studying in Troyes since September-- basically, the same time we assistants got there. How the heck could we have missed them?! I didn't ask how many other students there were-- it was 5AM after all and I was a bit groggy. It's too bad that I meet them now, just a few weeks shy of coming home.
Paris was fine and dandy. I tried to sleep on the train ride but did not have much success. The RER at Gare du Nord was a nightmare as always. I hate the RER. I am dreading having to battle my way while loaded down with suitcases when I fly back to the US-- this time was bad enough. So we're smashed in like sardines, and naturally there is unwanted contact. A bump here, a foot stepped on there-- this happens when you have 298398587587 people crammed on a car meant to hold about 50. An elbow to the ribs is forgiveable. A man pressing himself against my cute lil derriere and grinding against me is not. I did my best to squirm away, reposition my suitcase to use as a barrier, anything I could but Mr. Rubby was persistent. I repositioned my hand on the bar, he'd move his close to mine, being sure to brush it (1 or 2 times of this would've been a coincidence. 5 or 6 is just downright sketch). Whenever the doors opened and people got on, even if there was much more space on the other side, he squeezed right up next to me. He found a way to me no matter how far away I managed to get (which, sadly, was never very far). Finally the car emptied out a bit and I managed to squeeze away from the main pole thingie and to the side, near the fold-out chairs, and threw my suitcase and laptop on top of it. Then for whatever reason he took to wandering through the car, between the seats and BOTH times he would pass me he would do the whole hand-on-my-shoulder-please-let-me-by thing. Which was unnecessary as there were several inches of space between us, nor did he feel obliged to make this gesture for the people he damn near trampled down. My numerous murderous glares did nothing. But luckily, one stop away from my final destination, I snapped-- nay, snarled-- in crystal-clear English, "Get. Away. From. Me." I'm sure I was baring my teeth. Who knows if he understood English but he definitely understood my message and proceeded to chat up the girl half his age who got on the stop before mine. I wanted to vomit.
So that was my morning. Orly was uneventful as usual. Didn't have to go through their passport control which is always a relief. The flight was fine, I had a whole row of 3 seats to myself. I splurged and ordered wine, hoping it would help me sleep. It did, but not on the flight. I'll get to naptime in a bit. The view of the Alps (at least I assume they were the Alps) was really pretty. Luckily I snapped a few pics.
So, Vienna. By the time I got off the plane, found the baggage carousel, got my bag, found a potty, determined that once again I did not have to go through customs control, and found a place to grab some lunch, it was almost 1:00. As I had mentioned, I was hoping to get a chance to explore Vienna properly since I had so much time here. But I thought it might be impossible since check-in for my flight only started 2 hours before, not to mention I was beginning to feel the effects of the previous night's 4 hours of sleep. I decided I better find out where I needed to be for my flight, stopping in various shops along the way (I need to find my mom a shotglass. She gets shotglasses from every country I go to).
The coolest one so far was the grocery store. A full-on grocery store in the airport! I dunno why but grocery stores in foreign countries always amuse me. And to my delight, this being the land of Red Bull & all, they had a Red Bull cola drink AND... the elusive Red Bull bottles Brad & I searched tirelessly for in Amsterdam. I will definitely try to get some back to France/the U.S. to show my fellow Red Bull junkies. I was also pleased with the selection of California wine. They had a Stag's Leap which is an excellent wine (but under a different name... Stafer? Saffer? But the price label listed it as Stag's Leap-- Jess, explain please!). I don't recall how much it costs per bottle back home but here it was the bargain price of like, 42Euro. I'm certain it is much cheaper back in CA.
Something else weird about Vienna airport-- there is still smoking allowed. Not in all areas but every restaurant (which is pretty out in the open) and even in some corridors between terminals & such. Even for someone living in France, smoking in airports is shocking. I do believe it is the first city I've been to with such a lax smoking policy. OK, maybe Vegas too.
So I managed to check my bag a couple hours early (yay!), grab an info brochure for the direct train into Vienna center, and have decided to check it out when I'm here again in a week. I've navigated the airport, know where all I need to be, and probably won't be as tired. So Vienna exploration will wait til next Wednesday.
I made my way to my gate a good 3 hours before boarding. It was pretty deserted so I found a cushy (?) bench thing and curled up for my nap. I got a good 1 1/2 hours in before I started hearing people milling around. And now... here I am, updating my blog. Yay for wifi!
I'm debating if I should buy something to eat now and go through the X-ray thingie again or just get something on the plane. Only a few more hours til I get chez Keil! :)
The morning started off OK. I caught the 5AM train to Paris and while sitting in the train station overheard 2 girls speaking English. But... I didn't know them. How could there be ANY anglophone in Troyes that I had not encountered?! Turns out the girls are Irish and have been studying in Troyes since September-- basically, the same time we assistants got there. How the heck could we have missed them?! I didn't ask how many other students there were-- it was 5AM after all and I was a bit groggy. It's too bad that I meet them now, just a few weeks shy of coming home.
Paris was fine and dandy. I tried to sleep on the train ride but did not have much success. The RER at Gare du Nord was a nightmare as always. I hate the RER. I am dreading having to battle my way while loaded down with suitcases when I fly back to the US-- this time was bad enough. So we're smashed in like sardines, and naturally there is unwanted contact. A bump here, a foot stepped on there-- this happens when you have 298398587587 people crammed on a car meant to hold about 50. An elbow to the ribs is forgiveable. A man pressing himself against my cute lil derriere and grinding against me is not. I did my best to squirm away, reposition my suitcase to use as a barrier, anything I could but Mr. Rubby was persistent. I repositioned my hand on the bar, he'd move his close to mine, being sure to brush it (1 or 2 times of this would've been a coincidence. 5 or 6 is just downright sketch). Whenever the doors opened and people got on, even if there was much more space on the other side, he squeezed right up next to me. He found a way to me no matter how far away I managed to get (which, sadly, was never very far). Finally the car emptied out a bit and I managed to squeeze away from the main pole thingie and to the side, near the fold-out chairs, and threw my suitcase and laptop on top of it. Then for whatever reason he took to wandering through the car, between the seats and BOTH times he would pass me he would do the whole hand-on-my-shoulder-please-let-me-by thing. Which was unnecessary as there were several inches of space between us, nor did he feel obliged to make this gesture for the people he damn near trampled down. My numerous murderous glares did nothing. But luckily, one stop away from my final destination, I snapped-- nay, snarled-- in crystal-clear English, "Get. Away. From. Me." I'm sure I was baring my teeth. Who knows if he understood English but he definitely understood my message and proceeded to chat up the girl half his age who got on the stop before mine. I wanted to vomit.
So that was my morning. Orly was uneventful as usual. Didn't have to go through their passport control which is always a relief. The flight was fine, I had a whole row of 3 seats to myself. I splurged and ordered wine, hoping it would help me sleep. It did, but not on the flight. I'll get to naptime in a bit. The view of the Alps (at least I assume they were the Alps) was really pretty. Luckily I snapped a few pics.
So, Vienna. By the time I got off the plane, found the baggage carousel, got my bag, found a potty, determined that once again I did not have to go through customs control, and found a place to grab some lunch, it was almost 1:00. As I had mentioned, I was hoping to get a chance to explore Vienna properly since I had so much time here. But I thought it might be impossible since check-in for my flight only started 2 hours before, not to mention I was beginning to feel the effects of the previous night's 4 hours of sleep. I decided I better find out where I needed to be for my flight, stopping in various shops along the way (I need to find my mom a shotglass. She gets shotglasses from every country I go to).
The coolest one so far was the grocery store. A full-on grocery store in the airport! I dunno why but grocery stores in foreign countries always amuse me. And to my delight, this being the land of Red Bull & all, they had a Red Bull cola drink AND... the elusive Red Bull bottles Brad & I searched tirelessly for in Amsterdam. I will definitely try to get some back to France/the U.S. to show my fellow Red Bull junkies. I was also pleased with the selection of California wine. They had a Stag's Leap which is an excellent wine (but under a different name... Stafer? Saffer? But the price label listed it as Stag's Leap-- Jess, explain please!). I don't recall how much it costs per bottle back home but here it was the bargain price of like, 42Euro. I'm certain it is much cheaper back in CA.
Something else weird about Vienna airport-- there is still smoking allowed. Not in all areas but every restaurant (which is pretty out in the open) and even in some corridors between terminals & such. Even for someone living in France, smoking in airports is shocking. I do believe it is the first city I've been to with such a lax smoking policy. OK, maybe Vegas too.
So I managed to check my bag a couple hours early (yay!), grab an info brochure for the direct train into Vienna center, and have decided to check it out when I'm here again in a week. I've navigated the airport, know where all I need to be, and probably won't be as tired. So Vienna exploration will wait til next Wednesday.
I made my way to my gate a good 3 hours before boarding. It was pretty deserted so I found a cushy (?) bench thing and curled up for my nap. I got a good 1 1/2 hours in before I started hearing people milling around. And now... here I am, updating my blog. Yay for wifi!
I'm debating if I should buy something to eat now and go through the X-ray thingie again or just get something on the plane. Only a few more hours til I get chez Keil! :)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Bulgaria & Beyond
Downside: I have to get up at like, 4 to catch my 5AM train to Paris. Le yucky.
Upside: I'M GOING TO BULGARIA TO SEE STEVE & FAMILY TOMORROW!!! Yay! I am excited to see our friends. I am stoked to get to see another country (maybe two, since my layover in Vienna is so long I'm considering hitting up the city center just so I can say I've seen it!). I am THRILLED that the weather is supposed to be in the 20s (70s, for you Americans).
My flight gets into Sofia around 9:30PM. I *think* Bulgaria is one hour ahead of France, I'll have to double check. I get back into Paris around 8PM next Wednesday, which is too late to catch the last train to Troyes. Thankfully, I posted about my dire situation on the Assistants in France board and a Parisienne assistant offered to let me stay the night with her. Karma, how I love thee...
Steve just texted me from his Bulgarian phone so I know I have the correct number. No idea if my phone will work in Bulgaria-- even if it does, it will be expensive for me to send/get calls & texts. I've decided to bring my laptop so I can A) keep myself amused during my long layovers (Vienna airport has lots of wifi spots), B) finalize my last lesson plans, and C) keep myself amused as needed in Sofia if/when Steve is working and Kristina is busy with the little ones.
I'm excited to meet Jahn and Skai, Steve & Kristina's two young sons. I'm bringing them gifts because (and Kristina confirmed) we all know the way to a kid's heart is through presents. I've got lil somethings for Steve & Kristina too of course. I randomly bought a lil 4-pack of port wine while I was in Porto last February not knowing who I would give it to. Afterwards, when this whole Bulgaria plan was in the works, I remembered that Steve likes port, so that's perfect for him. During NYE in Paris Kristina loved the macaroons sold in the patisseries so I bought a box of a dozen assorted macaroons for her. Jahn is getting a Playmobil dinosaur (it says age 4+, he is 3, so hopefully it will still be OK) and Skai is getting a stuffed cat that meows when you squeeze its belly (Kristina said he likes cats and things that make noise-- two birds with one stone).
It's gonna be a long day of travel but I'm so excited I don't think I'll mind too much... then again, my feelings on that may be different when I'm walking to the train station at 4:30AM tomorrow morning!!! :)
Upside: I'M GOING TO BULGARIA TO SEE STEVE & FAMILY TOMORROW!!! Yay! I am excited to see our friends. I am stoked to get to see another country (maybe two, since my layover in Vienna is so long I'm considering hitting up the city center just so I can say I've seen it!). I am THRILLED that the weather is supposed to be in the 20s (70s, for you Americans).
My flight gets into Sofia around 9:30PM. I *think* Bulgaria is one hour ahead of France, I'll have to double check. I get back into Paris around 8PM next Wednesday, which is too late to catch the last train to Troyes. Thankfully, I posted about my dire situation on the Assistants in France board and a Parisienne assistant offered to let me stay the night with her. Karma, how I love thee...
Steve just texted me from his Bulgarian phone so I know I have the correct number. No idea if my phone will work in Bulgaria-- even if it does, it will be expensive for me to send/get calls & texts. I've decided to bring my laptop so I can A) keep myself amused during my long layovers (Vienna airport has lots of wifi spots), B) finalize my last lesson plans, and C) keep myself amused as needed in Sofia if/when Steve is working and Kristina is busy with the little ones.
I'm excited to meet Jahn and Skai, Steve & Kristina's two young sons. I'm bringing them gifts because (and Kristina confirmed) we all know the way to a kid's heart is through presents. I've got lil somethings for Steve & Kristina too of course. I randomly bought a lil 4-pack of port wine while I was in Porto last February not knowing who I would give it to. Afterwards, when this whole Bulgaria plan was in the works, I remembered that Steve likes port, so that's perfect for him. During NYE in Paris Kristina loved the macaroons sold in the patisseries so I bought a box of a dozen assorted macaroons for her. Jahn is getting a Playmobil dinosaur (it says age 4+, he is 3, so hopefully it will still be OK) and Skai is getting a stuffed cat that meows when you squeeze its belly (Kristina said he likes cats and things that make noise-- two birds with one stone).
It's gonna be a long day of travel but I'm so excited I don't think I'll mind too much... then again, my feelings on that may be different when I'm walking to the train station at 4:30AM tomorrow morning!!! :)
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Presque La Fin
So this last week was my last week of class before vacation. I have 6 more days of teaching left. This week I also started the process of ending contracts & whatnot. Called Neuf (internet/phone) and found out what all to do (send in a letter, and return the Neuf box via certified mail). Went to EDF (electricity) and asked about ending my contract (go read the meter, and take in the final number to them to calculate my final bill). And (ugh), went to the bank to find out about closing my bank account. My conseiller is nice enough but always talks to damn fast and throws WAY too much info at me at once. I just wanted to stop my automatic rent payments and find out how to officially close my account when all transactions have gone through. I was scared that if I said I were going back to the US she would insist I close the account right then & there (which I can't, since I've still got some bills to pay and need to get my security deposit back), so I lied and said I didn't know when I was going back. Now all I have left to do is meet with my landlord and return the keys/get my security deposit back. I am hoping he will give it to me before I leave so I won't have to worry about it.
I am so ready to go home!!! Less than 4 weeks til I am back in the US of A. I know I will miss France, and all my friends here, so much when I leave but I have been so homesick for quite a while now; in fact, I don't think it ever went away. When I studied abroad, the homesickness was there but disapated eventually, and I was generally very happy. I haven't felt genuinely "happy" here. The other assistants and my new friends are great but we don't have the same connection as I had with the girls in Le Mans. I've also had to deal with the stressful things like finding an apartment, getting my CDS, and being sick-- all things I didn't have to deal with last time. It really wears on a girl.
I've also been experiencing an onslaught of anxiety/panic attacks in the last few months. I don't know if it's related to depression, or the lack of sunshine (seriously, I have not seen the sunshine since Prague!) or what. I have noticed that the anxiety and depression tend to coincide with heavy drinking. I've been drinking a LOT lately, and need to cut back. And my attempts at quitting smoking have mostly been in vain. As Jess pointed out, now is probably not the best time in my life for me to successfully quit, as I'm down enough. And I've been sick pretty much since I got to France, with a recurring cold/sinus infection popping up from time to time. In Paris a couple of weeks ago the cold (or maybe allergies) were really hitting me hard, and the inside of my nose is still so sore and irritated. I never get allergies, but I seem to remember getting them quite badly around this time of year in Le Mans too. I've also been biting my nails again, which I haven't done in a couple of years.
Not to mention I've been away for pretty much my entire engagement, which has been so hard. We got engaged 2 weeks before I left for France, and I'll be home for about the same time before we get married. No getting to enjoy being engaged together, no engagement party, no bridal shower, heck Jess and I both have been scrambling to squeeze in bachelor(ette) parties! And I hate that I missed my sister's bridal shower and wedding dinner. I am slightly resentful that she couldn't have waited just a couple more months (she had originally said they'd be engaged for like 2 years!), and that they *have* to have their reception like, as soon as I get back. So I'll be jet-lagged, rushed, stressed, with a thousand things to do for my own wedding, yet I still very much want to be involved.
At least I have Bulgaria to look forward to. That will make time go by faster. And after I get back I'll be so busy with packing and cleaning and whatnot... I guess I'm just antsy knowing the end is so close.
OK! This post is awfully depressing-- sorry, readers! Time to perk up. I'm waiting to hear from Mike about hitting up the museum (it's free on the first Sunday of the month). Then only 3 days til I leave for Bulgaria. I still need to do laundry, pack, and pick up some gifts for Steve & Kristina's kids.
Smile, Nikki, smile!!! :)
I am so ready to go home!!! Less than 4 weeks til I am back in the US of A. I know I will miss France, and all my friends here, so much when I leave but I have been so homesick for quite a while now; in fact, I don't think it ever went away. When I studied abroad, the homesickness was there but disapated eventually, and I was generally very happy. I haven't felt genuinely "happy" here. The other assistants and my new friends are great but we don't have the same connection as I had with the girls in Le Mans. I've also had to deal with the stressful things like finding an apartment, getting my CDS, and being sick-- all things I didn't have to deal with last time. It really wears on a girl.
I've also been experiencing an onslaught of anxiety/panic attacks in the last few months. I don't know if it's related to depression, or the lack of sunshine (seriously, I have not seen the sunshine since Prague!) or what. I have noticed that the anxiety and depression tend to coincide with heavy drinking. I've been drinking a LOT lately, and need to cut back. And my attempts at quitting smoking have mostly been in vain. As Jess pointed out, now is probably not the best time in my life for me to successfully quit, as I'm down enough. And I've been sick pretty much since I got to France, with a recurring cold/sinus infection popping up from time to time. In Paris a couple of weeks ago the cold (or maybe allergies) were really hitting me hard, and the inside of my nose is still so sore and irritated. I never get allergies, but I seem to remember getting them quite badly around this time of year in Le Mans too. I've also been biting my nails again, which I haven't done in a couple of years.
Not to mention I've been away for pretty much my entire engagement, which has been so hard. We got engaged 2 weeks before I left for France, and I'll be home for about the same time before we get married. No getting to enjoy being engaged together, no engagement party, no bridal shower, heck Jess and I both have been scrambling to squeeze in bachelor(ette) parties! And I hate that I missed my sister's bridal shower and wedding dinner. I am slightly resentful that she couldn't have waited just a couple more months (she had originally said they'd be engaged for like 2 years!), and that they *have* to have their reception like, as soon as I get back. So I'll be jet-lagged, rushed, stressed, with a thousand things to do for my own wedding, yet I still very much want to be involved.
At least I have Bulgaria to look forward to. That will make time go by faster. And after I get back I'll be so busy with packing and cleaning and whatnot... I guess I'm just antsy knowing the end is so close.
OK! This post is awfully depressing-- sorry, readers! Time to perk up. I'm waiting to hear from Mike about hitting up the museum (it's free on the first Sunday of the month). Then only 3 days til I leave for Bulgaria. I still need to do laundry, pack, and pick up some gifts for Steve & Kristina's kids.
Smile, Nikki, smile!!! :)
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Chris Visit, Part Two: Prague
Continued from previous post...
On Wednesday the 26th, Chris and I headed back to Paris to catch our flight to Prague. We got in around 7PM, and after the customs fun and getting bags and figuring out how to get where we were going, we found our hotel around 8PM. First thought: WOW!!! We paid the same price there as the hotel in Paris-- cheap, as both were a bit out of the way, but MAN what a difference! Still the same dinky beds thisclosetogether, but a huge entry area, massive bathroom complete with a bathtub (YAY!!!), and a bar and restaurant on the premises. We ate at that restaurant at least once a day, it was so yummy and pretty cheap. That night, we were a bit too tired to venture into town so we found a local dive bar and got huge Pilsner Urquells for 29CZK (about 1 Euro!). Yum.
On Thursday we jumped into tourist mode. We walked around Prague Center and saw all sorts of things:
On Wednesday the 26th, Chris and I headed back to Paris to catch our flight to Prague. We got in around 7PM, and after the customs fun and getting bags and figuring out how to get where we were going, we found our hotel around 8PM. First thought: WOW!!! We paid the same price there as the hotel in Paris-- cheap, as both were a bit out of the way, but MAN what a difference! Still the same dinky beds thisclosetogether, but a huge entry area, massive bathroom complete with a bathtub (YAY!!!), and a bar and restaurant on the premises. We ate at that restaurant at least once a day, it was so yummy and pretty cheap. That night, we were a bit too tired to venture into town so we found a local dive bar and got huge Pilsner Urquells for 29CZK (about 1 Euro!). Yum.
On Thursday we jumped into tourist mode. We walked around Prague Center and saw all sorts of things:
The old Jewish Cemetary, with 12,000 tombstones for about 100,000 bodies...
The astronomical clock, with a little coo-coo clock action...
The Charles Bridge...
And of course, Absinthe!
We also saw Wencelas Square with all its shops and restaurants, walked along the river, saw the Medieval Torture Museum and saw some churches. We tried to get to the palace but by the time we got there it was closed. Prague is an absolutely gorgeous city!!!
Friday, we set off for a day trip to Kutna Hora. Chris was especially keen to go here as I had heard about a "Bone Church" decorated with about 40,000 human skeletons. So naturally, the first stop was the ossuary, which lived up to its reputation:
Weird sculpture thing. Can you find the bird and the lady?!
Next we worked our way to St. Barbara's cathedral. The outside was under renovation but the inside was still gorgeous.
We headed back to our hotel and went to bed rather early. Back home in California, our sister had just gotten married and Jess was planning to call us around 1:30AM Europe time. We were both exhausted though, so the phone call was brief. Congrats, Mr. & Mrs. Alukic!!!
The next day was our last day in Prague. Our flight wasn't until 5PM so we were able to hit up the palace. It was awesome. We didn't have time to wait in the huge line for the Basilica, but were still satisfied with our visit. The view was incredible...
View from Prague Castle
Chris was especially taken with the collection of medieval weapons, armor and fashion on display. I think I would've fit in well during the medieval Prague days...
Princess Nikki
After a few hours at the palace we were on our way to the airport. To anyone who has never been to Prague: GO. Everyone I know who has been loved it, and now I see why. Although keep in mind that Absinthe BURNS-- won't be trying that stuff again!
We had to stay Saturday night in Paris as we got in too late for the last train. By Sunday we were back in Troyes, and early Tuesday morning I accompanied Chris to CDG to see him off. I hope he enjoyed his first trip to Europe as much as I did. I love living vicariously through Europe newbies, and re-living my own amazement at travelling for the first time. Which is ironic, considering how ready I am to come home!!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Chris Visit, Part One: Paris
So way back, 2 Thursdays ago, I headed back up to Paris to take advantage of Brad's hotel room. I met him at the Bibliotheque Nationale, where he had been working, and we got in to an exhibit they were holding; basically, it was porn through the ages. Quite amusing, and interesting. Dinner, then bed. Brad got up the next morning for work and a couple of hours later I was on my way to CDG to pick up Chris.
Navigating CDG is never an easy task, but imagine my surprise when a gendarme (military-type cop) stops me from passing through this one section of walkway. There is a group of people gathered around, and another group about 50 feet away being blocked by another gendarme. After a few minutes, they told us to cover our ears. POP! And we were free to go. Uhh...
So I got to the arrivals gate and got to talking with some other people. Turns out a bag had been abandoned and they decided to blow it up. Better safe than sorry, I guess.
About an hour later Chris emerged from the customs exit. Yay! We promptly headed to the hotel, as Chris was desperate for a shower (can't blame him). We had lunch, he took a nap for a bit, then we headed to the Louvre, which is free on Fridays for people under 26 (mind you, that is UNDER 26, and contrary to popular belief, my carte professionelle did NOT get me in for free). But anyway, Chris was delighted to wander amongst the old Roman, Egyptian and Greek artifacts. We walked around a bit and headed back to the hotel.
On Saturday, Chris, Brad and I headed to Versailles. I had never been before, and Chris was dying to go. If you go to Versailles, my advice is to buy your admission tickets BEFORE you get there. It was a total mob scene. Tour groups fighting to get through the narrow doorways, people walking right in front of your camera... c'est la vie I guess. The gardens were lovely but it was so cold outside we didn't walk around as much as I would've liked. Oh well.
That night we splurged on an amazing fondue dinner in the Latin quarter. Soooo yummy! I've definitely gained wait thanks to Chris visiting (and us travelling and therefore, having to go to restaurants all the time). The three of us headed to a pub near Brad's hotel and played billiards. 
The next day was just wandering. We met Brad at the Eiffel Tower, walked along the Seine to the Arc de Triomphe, walked along the Champs Elysees and tried to see the catacombs but they were closed for renovation. Lame, that's the THIRD time I've tried to get into that places and couldn't. Lamecore indeed. We then headed to Montmarte and Sacre Coeur (I warned the boys to keep their hands in their pockets, lest they fall victim to the overpriced string bracelets like Jess & I did in January).
On Monday, which I had off because of Easter, we spent our final afternoon together going to Pere Lachaise cemetary. Paid our respects to Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Moliere, and the other famous residents. 
Navigating CDG is never an easy task, but imagine my surprise when a gendarme (military-type cop) stops me from passing through this one section of walkway. There is a group of people gathered around, and another group about 50 feet away being blocked by another gendarme. After a few minutes, they told us to cover our ears. POP! And we were free to go. Uhh...
So I got to the arrivals gate and got to talking with some other people. Turns out a bag had been abandoned and they decided to blow it up. Better safe than sorry, I guess.
About an hour later Chris emerged from the customs exit. Yay! We promptly headed to the hotel, as Chris was desperate for a shower (can't blame him). We had lunch, he took a nap for a bit, then we headed to the Louvre, which is free on Fridays for people under 26 (mind you, that is UNDER 26, and contrary to popular belief, my carte professionelle did NOT get me in for free). But anyway, Chris was delighted to wander amongst the old Roman, Egyptian and Greek artifacts. We walked around a bit and headed back to the hotel.
On Saturday, Chris, Brad and I headed to Versailles. I had never been before, and Chris was dying to go. If you go to Versailles, my advice is to buy your admission tickets BEFORE you get there. It was a total mob scene. Tour groups fighting to get through the narrow doorways, people walking right in front of your camera... c'est la vie I guess. The gardens were lovely but it was so cold outside we didn't walk around as much as I would've liked. Oh well.
The gang at the Hall of Mirrors- Versailles
That night we splurged on an amazing fondue dinner in the Latin quarter. Soooo yummy! I've definitely gained wait thanks to Chris visiting (and us travelling and therefore, having to go to restaurants all the time). The three of us headed to a pub near Brad's hotel and played billiards.
Good times!
The next day was just wandering. We met Brad at the Eiffel Tower, walked along the Seine to the Arc de Triomphe, walked along the Champs Elysees and tried to see the catacombs but they were closed for renovation. Lame, that's the THIRD time I've tried to get into that places and couldn't. Lamecore indeed. We then headed to Montmarte and Sacre Coeur (I warned the boys to keep their hands in their pockets, lest they fall victim to the overpriced string bracelets like Jess & I did in January).
On Monday, which I had off because of Easter, we spent our final afternoon together going to Pere Lachaise cemetary. Paid our respects to Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Moliere, and the other famous residents.
RIP Jim!
Then it was time for Chris and I to head back to Troyes.
We got back to my place around 8PM. We met up with Rich and had some wine, then called it a night. After all, some of us had to work the next day! ;)
I apologize I can't be bothered to post more pics; if you're interested, check out my Flickr. Stay tuned for Part Two: Prague.
We got back to my place around 8PM. We met up with Rich and had some wine, then called it a night. After all, some of us had to work the next day! ;)
I apologize I can't be bothered to post more pics; if you're interested, check out my Flickr. Stay tuned for Part Two: Prague.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
No, I Have Not Gone AWOL
A brief update to say I will be updating briefly. It's been a couple of weeks since my last post, but it has been a busy couple of weeks! The end of Brad's visit coincided with Chris' arrival, so I was busy busy busy with my two favorite baldies. Plus, in Prague we didn't have internet for several days so updates were impossible.
But Chris left this morning and now I am back in Troyes. It's April, which means I only have one month left of my contract and honestly, could not be more thrilled. I'm even contemplating calling Lufthansa to see what kinda costs could be incurred if I tried to change my flight to leave even earlier. I am so ready to come home. Don't get me wrong, I am glad I did this program and have some amazing memories to show for it but I think I can safely say that France is out of my system now.
But anyway, more on that later. Having gotten up at 5AM today, I am a bit knackered and hence, off for a nap :)
But Chris left this morning and now I am back in Troyes. It's April, which means I only have one month left of my contract and honestly, could not be more thrilled. I'm even contemplating calling Lufthansa to see what kinda costs could be incurred if I tried to change my flight to leave even earlier. I am so ready to come home. Don't get me wrong, I am glad I did this program and have some amazing memories to show for it but I think I can safely say that France is out of my system now.
But anyway, more on that later. Having gotten up at 5AM today, I am a bit knackered and hence, off for a nap :)
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