Back to the US of A

It wouldn't be a trip without a crazy travel story- as such, here is the true account of my trip back from Paris...

For once, the French were extremely efficient in checking us in for the group flight from Charles de Gaulle. Despite waking up half an hour late with just over an hour of sleep, taking the wrong train twice at the airport, and getting frisked at security, we still made it through in time for our flight. The flight to JFK was actually amazing since we each had our own TVs with complete with Friends, Simpsons, movies including Ratatouille, and video games.

Once I got to New York, I went to the Jet Blue counter to check in for my flight to DC, only to have them tell me that they "sent an email in October" telling me they moved the flight to 2 hours before. Aka, I had just missed it. I figured out that I could do stand by for a 5 o'clock flight (it's 1 right now) or book a 10pm flight. Since neither of those sounded appealing, I called up Delta and American to check out their flights, most of which are over $500. I called my fam and my dad suggested taking a train from Penn Station in the city to BWI. This sounded like a great idea, so I hopped in a cab and headed for Manhattan.

After a few minutes of being on the road, my dad and sister call back with arguing and commotion in the background saying that there aren't any trains out of Penn Station to Baltimore or DC. So now, I've left JFK and am on my way to Manhattan with no flight and no train. Somehow not worrying, I sit in the cab until my dad calls back and says that he found a 2:30 flight out of Laguardia to Reagan National in DC. It's now 1:30. I tell the driver Laguardia and luckily he was very nice and we were right by the airport exit. 10 minutes later I pull up to the Delta terminal and get out. Mind you I've got my 2 big bags, a back pack, a smaller bag filled with books, and a shopping bag of gifts. I waddle up to the info counter to find out that I'm in the wrong terminal because the flight I want is a shuttle flight. The lady tells me that they are smaller and usually board about 20 minutes before take off so I can still make it.

I go downstairs, find the Route A bus, and hop on. 5 minutes later I'm at the other end of the airport at this tiny terminal. It's now 2. Once I got up to the counter, it was about 2:10. I asked the lady if I could still make it and she said I could, so I check my bags, have to take out about 4 pounds of stuff from my bigger one to avoid charges, and jam it in my carry ons. When going through security at 2:20, luck would have it that I was "selected to participate in a random screening". Great, I think, I've always wanted to do this. After being padded down and having my crammed bags thoroughly searched and unpacked- it's now 2:30 and an announcement comes on: "Mr. McGowan, please report to Gate 4 or your seat will be dropped." I'm sprinting up the walkway, multiple bags in tow, sweating profusely because I still have on my pullover, pea coat, and scarf from Paris, and finally make it up to my gate. I found an open seat on the plane, dropped my stuff, and sank into it whilst I enjoyed the hour long flight to DC. Crazy day, but at least I got a story out of it...

One more entry is on the way so until then...a bientôt.

"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a movable feast." -Ernest Hemingway, A Movable Feast

A recap: Partie Deux

And now for a more personalized recap:

You know you were in BU PIP Fall 2007 if…

• You have mistaken Francesca for a French person, multiple times.
• Miryam has taken an awkward and/or unflattering candid picture of you.
• You’ve wondered how Anna’s camera hasn’t made her hunchback yet.
• You’ve seen the professors/administration intoxicated at least once.
• You’ve waited at least 15 minutes when meeting John somewhere.
• You received a brief synopsis of post-Revolutionary French history via Powerpoint- in 2 classes.
• You use the word “stage” in your English vocabulary and really confuse people from home.
• You’ve seen Courtney almost get hit by a bus and not be fazed.
• You feel part of Marie France’s family, and haven’t even lived with her.
• You worried about Alise and Emily making it back from break ok.
• You’ve spoken with Yi about China- past, present, or future.
• You’ve been conquered by the French keyboard.
• You know all about Janelle’s love for dance clubs.
• You’ve abused Jess’ Hospitality major when trying to plan out the night.
• You’ve debated the semantics of dating and relationships with Caitlin Cragg.
• You’ve let Brendan sneak into the Metro with you.
• Robert Crane creeped you out.
• Caitlin Dugan has told you the importance of watching your belongings after almost getting sliced in Rome.

A recap: Partie Une

A little recap of the semester :

You know you’ve lived in Paris if…

• You can fend off any gypsy in a heart beat when they ask, “Speeek Eeenglish?” with one, fluid “Non, merci.”
• You’ve been molested/prevented someone from being molested at Duplex.
• When the Boulanger asks you “avec ceci?” you no longer get flustered and say “…oui…”
• You could navigate the metro system in your sleep (or a drunken stupor).
• You’ve lived through a variety of grèves and now know the meaning of “quasi-nul”.
• You know that BIA isn’t a rap term, but rather the best place to get pancakes and milkshakes.
• You’ve seen your share of famous people and maybe made a fool of yourself when your jaw drops.
• You know that if you don’t have a metro ticket, you can go to Motte Piquet and walk through the broken exit door.
• You have decisively chosen your favorite home/work boulangeries and have a favorite pastry (or 10).
• You know that Orly is so much better than CDG, not just for having “Orrrrlybus”.
• You know that the north and east banlieux are strictly off limits.
• You’ve gone to a small corner convenience store late-night to buy much needed food.
• The words “Le Relais de l’Entrecôte” have changed your life.
• You’ve enjoyed a bottle of wine with friends (and gypsies) on the Champ de Mars.
• You’ve tried blood sausage, pâté, and Roquefort.
• You know a myriad of curse words in French and how to use them most effectively.
• You’ve stepped in poo.
• You’ve enjoyed the variety of metro performers.
• You know what side you take in the G20/Franprix debate.
• While on line 1, you have a favorite stop the woman announces and you recite with her “Attention à la marche en descendant du train.”
• The policies of Nicolas Sarkozy have somehow affected your daily life.
• You’ve ever walked an inordinate number of miles because you couldn’t force yourself to go underground and miss the city.
• You’ve experienced one or more eventful Noctilien rides.
• You know that “L’Express” is synonymous with Cecilia Sarkozy.
• You still stop and look on with a smile when you catch the Eiffel Tower lit up and sparkling at the top of every hour.

On our last episode...

Ok I admit it- I have been a complete slacker. With work and getting the last bit of travelling and site seeing in, I have completely neglected writing. So in order to update you all and save some time, here's a quick recap:

1.) My new internship at the International School of Paris is amazing. My boss is American and so cool and the entire office is bilingual so I can still use my French. The school is right across the river from the Eiffel Tower which I walk to every morning- not a bad walk (which you can see here).


2.) The family came! Having Mom, Dad, and Katrina here for a week was so much fun. Being able to show other people my favorite places and all the fun stuff to see is one of the best parts of having visitors. The week was a whirlwind, but so worth it.

3.) As the family arrived, we jetted right back off to Ireland. The people there were probably the nicest I've ever met in Europe, and the scenery and sites were so beautiful and cool. After arriving in Dublin, we rented an automatic car (and by that I mean they gave us a manual, large blue van) and we drove 4 hours to Cork. This was, to say the least, an adventure. A few curbs and 4 hours without radio later, we arrived and spent a few days seeing the Twohig family and Father Twohig at his living community. Aging as he may be, Father Twohig is still fiesty as ever and it was great seeing him. Once back in Dublin, we saw Trinity College and the Book of Kells, as well as the Guinness Factory- a must if ever in Dublin.

4.) A few friends and I went to the famous Christmas markets in Strasbourg for a day to get into the Christmas spirit a little. This place was awesome. All over the town, there were little wooden huts set up selling everything from handmade crafts and ornaments to hot spiced any-kind-of-drink (personal favorites were the wine and cider) to French and German food. The cathedral in Strasbourg where a lot of the huts are located is awesome and has a really medieval look to it, and we even took a river cruise and got to see the different parts of the city, as well as some of the EU headquarter buildings. After a day of Christmas activities, we just hopped back on the TGV and two hours later were arriving in Paris!

5.) Last weekend was the final of my international trips- London. Expensive as this city is for an American right now (the conversion rate is 1 pound=$2), it was an amazing trip. I really think London is one of my favorite big cities I've visited since here. Luckily, I was able to stay with a friend on the BU program there, and the flats are located in South Kensington which is comparable to a Georgetown or a Greenwich Village in the States. She showed me all the sights- Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, all the Christmas lights on Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, Hamley's Toy Store, Buckingham Palace, and Harrod's. On top of that, London is now only a 2 hour train ride from Paris on the renovated Eurostar which takes you to the St. Pancras International Station. This station is right across from King's Cross where, as we all know, Hogwart's students catch the Hogwart's Express at Platform 9 3/4! They even have a little luggage trolley half inside the wall between Platforms 9 and 10!

6.) The last weekend/week in Paris involves me finishing up my internship report and seeing the remainder of the sights I have left. This weekend was non-stop and so worth it. I really can't believe I head home in less that a week, but I'm definitely excited to see everyone and enjoy a little Christmas time stateside.

Stay tuned for final updates in which I'll try to say something insightful and thought-provoking. Until then, a bientôt!

"The world is a country which nobody ever yet knew by description: one must travel through it one's self to be acquainted with it." -Lord Chesterfield