The trip is drawing to a close.
After three days and two nights in Paris, we are on the EuroStar headed back to
London for one final night in Europe. It’s hard to think that I started this
journey six shorts weeks ago. As sad as I am to be leaving, I’m so excited to
get back to the states to start my next adventure there.
Paris
was….Paris. The first day was rough, as always. I’ve just learned to come
prepared for a beating the first day in every city. I knew I was in for an
adventure when I slept in and missed my bus to Madrid. I was supposed to meet
Nicole in a taxi at 6:00 am to catch our 6:30 bus leaving Oviedo. Of course,
I’ve had too much luck this trip and I was waiting for my disaster to happen. I
slept in and woke up at 6:50. Once I got my bearings, I called my professor who
was still in Oviedo and had him look up buses since I didn’t have Internet at
my house. He told me that the next one left at 7:30. So I had about 20 minutes
to finish packing, say goodbye to my host mom, catch a taxi to the bus station,
buy a ticket, and board. Thanks to my newfound abilities to communicate in
Spanish and a rush of adrenaline, I made it. I had contacted Nicole and Andrea
to let them know I would be there as soon as I could and then I settled in for
the 5 and a half hour bus ride. Unfortunately, I had paid for the nice bus to
leave at 6:30, complete with movies, food, and a trip directly to the airport.
Instead, I had to buy another ticket for the ghetto bus with nothing but
elevator music and a trip to the bus station. So then I had to find a cab, get
myself to the airport, get through security and find the girls. To tell you the
truth, I loved it. I loved being independent and finding my way through Madrid
by myself, speaking only Spanish.
Once
we landed in Paris, we bought Metro tickets and tried to decipher the map in
French. We saw what looked like the general area of our hotel and made our way
there. Of course, Paris is absolutely gigantic and we were nowhere near where
we thought we were. We headed out of the station, three bags each, and started
walking the streets. We were looking for a taxi, or anyone who spoke English,
but neither were anywhere in sight. After about 2 hours of straight walking,
checking maps, and feeling ridiculous, we found someone who tried to help us,
with broken English. It was soooo clear that we were out of place. The funny
thing about being in a country where you don’t understand the language, yet
speak two languages, is you automatically speak any language you know. I kept
speaking Spanish to people, desperately trying to communicate. I’m an idiot
though because of course, they speak Spanish about as well as I speak French.
It was a nightmare. After walking for another hour, we finally hailed a taxi
and somehow managed to let the driver know where our hotel was.
After
14 hours of travel, we got settled in and had a nice long night of sleep. We
woke up the next day ready to explore the city. The weather however, wasn’t on
our side. We got POURED on all day. We saw l’Arc de Triomphe, Tour Eiffel,
Champs Elysees, and the Louvre through the rain. We were absolutely soaked, but
it was all part of the experience. We took an early night and relaxed in our
hotel room with pizza and moves (we needed a little America). The next day we
were prepared to go hard, and did we ever.
We
hit just about every place on the tourist trail: Moulin Rouge, Sacre-Couer Notre
Dame, Lovers Bridge (Pont des Arts), Luxembourg Gardens, and the Eiffel Tower,
this time with blue skies and sunshine. We also met up with a friend for dinner
at this local place that legitly has you sit in a dungeon lit by candlelight.
We met Gabriel (the friend) in London when we were there five weeks ago, and
he’s studying in Paris. So we’ve kept in contact with him the whole time we were
in Spain and it was great seeing him again. It made me realize how crazy life
is. You never know who you will meet and how they could impact your life. He
was definitely a blessing, helping us with all of our questions, and being our
translator when needed. He took us to the Eiffel Tower that night and we got to
see it one last time, lit up and shining over Paris. We took a tour to the top
and looked out at the lights of Paris.
We
went and got crepes today as one last memory of our trip and made our way to
train station. Paris was the perfect way to end the trip. Even though I can say
about five words in French and we got rained on, lost, and walked til we
thought our feet would fall off, I couldn’t be happier. It made me realize a
lot of things.
1:
Spanish has become like home to me. I love the familiarity the language gives
me when I hear it, and I love having the ability to communicate in Spanish when
I need to. We definitely take for granted the fact that the whole world speaks
English (más o menos)
2:
I’m capable of travelling on my own, doing things my way, and figuring out how
to get by. I can use the undergrounds, find places to stay, hail taxis, and
communicate-ish.
3:
Amazing long-lasting friendships can be formed no matter where you go. From Eduardo,
from Nikki Cafe, who kept me company, helped me practice Spanish, and kept me
fed and full of coffee everyday, to my host mom who was patient as I struggled
to understand her and sat through my broken Spanish until I could start having
full conversations with her, to Gabriel, who we met in London and spent time
with in Paris, as he showed us his favorite spots. I met so many people that
were so willing to open up and help. I’m especially thankful to Andrea and
Nicole, who will forever be the girls who were there with me to take on Europe
for the first time.
4:
Leaving home makes you realize how much else is out there. I have seen a lot,
experienced more, lived with a different family, made new friends, and divulged
in other cultures. It gave me a hunger to see the world, that I don’t think
will ever be quite satisfied. I’m ready for the unknown, the confusion, the
frustration, and the absolute thrill of being a nomad for a bit.
5:
Leaving home also makes you realize how good you have it. I have the most
amazing family that supports me, encourages my dreams, and taught me to never stop
exploring. They are incredible and I can’t wait to take them here to see what
I’ve seen. I also appreciate the familiarity that home brings, and the comfort
of being home.
I
did it. I took on Europe by myself for the first time. There will be many, many
times to come with new places, new faces, and new memories. It’s time to start
the next chapter of my life.
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