Arrival

Day 1

I knew I had arrived at the right departure gate at the Dallas-Fort Worth International airport when I heard the familiar long vowels and soft consonants of the French language, and was even more certain when a worn-out Papa called threateningly to his 3-year old Laura with the unmistakable throaty “R” I had missed hearing since I last left France.  I might as well be in Paris already. J

I was convinced it was the correct flight, too, DFW all the way to Paris Charles De Gaulle, because I overheard an American know-it-all type schooling a first time CDG-PAR flyer on how the French prefer comment dit-on to begin a question rather than qu’est-ce. He seemed so confident in this that I expected the next French person I met to snub my “Qu’est-ce que c’est bon dans ce restaurant?” like a bad taste in their mouth, turning their heads from me to smack disdainfully their lips and tongue to rid themselves of my poor grammar. This American gentlemen, however, put a little too much emphasis on his “t” in comment dit-on for my liking, which meant he was B.S.ing. I immediately felt better about myself.

I boarded my plane among a group of plump, pleased, and placid faces, and I was worried sick about my arrival in France. I had packed for the better part of two days prior to this, and, not wanting to over pack nor under pack, I left the house with two 60+ lbs bags, a plump carry on roller bag and a 20lb backpack. That was doing my best! I still had one and a half times my weight in bags to carry and a maze of public transport to navigate once I got to Paris.

I had debated for a while in my head while preparing for this trip about which of two very large and heavy books I should bring. As I boarded the plane, I felt confidant in my last minute switch for my Better Homes and Garden 2010 15^th edition cookbook instead of the complete works of Will Shakespeare. It had been an agonizing choice. I wish I could say I had picked William Shakespeare, but I faltered and succumbed to my earthly need for a good baking soda biscuit recipe and the indispensable emergency substitutions list on the back cover of that beloved gingham cookbook.

So now I sit 32,000 feet above sea level, and I’m hungry. I'm becoming legitimately stressed about the situation, but, oh good, a stewardess in a red, white, and blue apron with hearts on it just came out to speak with a passenger, bringing my fears that dinner was a long way off to rest. It was a great comfort, that red, white and blue apron. If only they served Mexican food…

Day 2

Many things don’t surprise me about France this time—like the metro-sexually dressed guys, the small Peuzot and Citroen cars, the dirty train stations. But two things have surprised me so far, two things I didn’t necessarily notice the first time I was in France. 

   1) I saw three overweight French girls which is three times as many as I saw all of last year. 

   2) French couples really are affectionate in public! Perhaps I had not noticed it the past year I came because I arrived as the year was cooling down, and lounging outside in frigid North Sea winds wasn’t really an option. But that couple on the curb, sunning themselves in pristine August weather, are certainly making up for lost time. The teenage girl—mid-smooch—passed off her half-smoked cigarette to her friend (sitting conveniently close to the happy couple) so she could better make out with her boyfriend. 

One thing that I had forgotten about was how well everybody here is dressed! I’m looking longingly for some ugly ones to raise my self esteem! I need to buy some dresses, skirts, blouses, and heels!!

Writing makes good use of my time while I wait for Claire to pick me up from the Rouen train station. I can’t wait to see the Ridels (first host family from my exchange)! Now I have a little downtime on an otherwise seamless day. Travel from the airport went well! I managed to ship one of my bags from the airport all the way to Clermont. It'll arrive next Saturday at the hotel where I've reserved a room. This made taking the bus into Paris from the airport and the train all the way to Rouen much more manageable! Thank God for nice Frenchmen, too! One gentlemen looked at my pathetic arm muscles and that giant suitcase with such pity. I was so grateful when he hoisted it out of the train for me. :)

P.P.S. Maybe everyone’s kissing because I’m at a train station, a place of goodbyes…

Day 3

This is the first time I’ve had caffeine in three days. Remarkable considering the 6-hour time difference and extensive travel! Travel stresses me out, and I made it through on tension! Anxiety keeps me alert, apparently. And frankly, besides it’s being a little watery, I just made a fine cup of coffee, if you call a tiny mini-tasse a “cup of coffee.” ;)

I saw the cathedral this morning! It’s been under a giant cleaning scaffold since I was here last, but 80% of the façade is all clean and white! It’s beautiful. It was so good to see Rouen again. I’m really enjoying Claire and Domitille. (Philippe I saw briefly, and both Constance and Agathe are out of town.) Well I’m off to town. Claire keeps insisting on the Impressionistic Expo at the museum. J I think I’ll go to please her. AND it sounds like fun.

P.S. It was cool. All of Monet’s Cathedrals in one place—in the city where he painted them!

later that day…

Nope. They’re really affectionate anywhere. In public but not commercial areas, like this park. Eww. There. That’s my rule of thumb for French PDA.