Eurotrip #1

Alright, so now I need to play catch-up. Despite having beautiful 24 hour internet while in Paris, I didn't feel like posting for some reason, though I took full advantage of personal internet in many other ways. So here's what I've been up to since last time:

I didn't end up going to the high school musical sing-along, sad I know, cause the people I thought for sure would want to go didn't. The lure of flashy London clubs was too much competition for perky Disney high schoolers singing lame tunes. And they didn't invite me :( but I also didn't ask to go cause I was leaving semi-early in the morning and wanted to go out only if people really wanted me to come. I was fine spending the night in. So I relaxed, packed, and went to sleep. I then got up in the morning and began my European adventure #1.
After last minute packing and a quick breakfast trying to finish off the food that would go bad (unsuccessfully, but the bananas magically disappeared while I was gone...odd.)I went in search of my bus. Because I am stupid i went to the wrong side of the road and watched it drive by, so I crossed the road and caught the next one. That's why I left lots of time. But, I got on the bus, and road it in what I hoped was the right direction. The train station was farther away than I thought and I was just starting to think it was taking me to some strange land when I saw my stop. I got off and was in front of a giant train station, the wrong giant train station that the map said was one of 4 with the same name. I finally found directions to the Waterloo International and followed the signs on a crazy twisty little path that led me to exactly the right place. It was like the pot of gold/rainbow/light at the end of a tunnel etc. I got my boarding pass and waited in line to check in. They had to check my passport (and about 6 others) to make sure we were really Youths (cheaper rates ages 16-25 or something) and went through psuedo-security (they scan your bags and you go through a metal detector, but you don't have to take your laptop out or put all your liquids in 3oz bottles in a 1 qt baggie) and got on my train. Super easy. I was like the last seat in the last car, but i got a window. Then I found out that my seat was facing backwards, and slept to avoid being sick. So i missed seeing the chunnel, which makes me sad, but i didn't want to make a mess. I arrived in Paris safe and clean, easily found the metro, bought a ticket and took it to Nyko's stop, found the street and found Nyko. Very easy, very successful trip.
I don't think I'm going to do a play-by-play of Paris, but here's basically what we did: we went out for crepes (yum! which came with cider, yeah for being legal), I had french pizza which comes with a sunny side up egg on it, which is good, but I don't think it would please Chicagoans, and I don't expect to be seeing egg pizza at Domino's or Campus any time soon, we had Kebabs which in Europe means basically a gyro with different really good meat in it and a choice of kinda odd sauces, and to a really nice local restaurant with really really good food. Nyko also thought his harddrive was crashing (he blames me) and so I took him out for a drink at a gay-friendly bar, not cause either of us are gay, but because the gay ones looked like more fun. The place was lined in red velvet (ceiling and walls) and was really cool inside. I had a margarita for the first time (so good!) and Nyko had a mai tai. We both agreed mine was better. It was also really strong. That was a lot of fun. Lets see... I think that covers food. We walked around Notre Dame and the Latin Quater, saw the Louvre, the Pompidu (inside out modern art building) and the Eiffel Tower, walked along the Seine River, walked around the shopping center, neighborhood and church area around Nyko's place. I spent one day shopping looking for jeans, a pair I brought have huge holes in them that I swear appeared magically over night, and I want to be cool and have a pair of those skinny jeans. I know, I made fun of them for a year, but I give in. I want a pair to put into my boots and look sleek and cool and pretty like all the European women. But I didn't find any that fit or were in my price range, but I did get a purse and a scarf, which is so girly and not like me, but I really like them and they fit into my look-like-a-cool-European plan. I also managed to find my way back to Nyko's place which is impressive cause I didn't really know where I was. One day we walked around the Champs Eleysee (the big famous, shopping street in Paris. Kinda like N. Michigan Ave in Chicago) and went to see car studios (for Nyko). So I got to see L'Arc de Triumph and bought some cheesy souvenirs. Mostly I just spent time with Nyko, talked and got caught up, enjoyed sleeping and his wireless internet, and ate great food like amazing Baguettes and Mille Feuille and eclaires. There was an amazing little bakery right around the corner. Sorry for not being really in depth, but if there is something you want to know more about, email me and I'll tell you the full story. (ksl204@gmail.com) I really enjoyed getting to use some of my French, but I didn't get to speak that much because I am really rusty and didn't know that much to begin with. I felt really dopey trying to talk to Nyko's friends cause I only basically understood the conversation, and by the time I'd figured out a response, they'd moved on. Oh well. The real adventure came when I tried to leave. I took Nyko out to dinner to thank him, and it took a bit longer than I thought. By the time I got to the train station, they wouldn't let me board. The train was still there, but since I wasn't there a half hour early, they wouldn't let me check in. I was really pissed. I knew I was running a little late, but not that late, nor did I think I needed to be there that early. Its a train for gods sake! I could have scanned my luggage and got to my seat in 10 mins. But no, they turned me away and said figure it out. Luckily they spoke English because chapter 12 of the French book is NOT what to do when they won't let you on your train. I could say 'ticket' 'track' 'train' and 'please', but not 'What the hell am I supposed to do until tomorrow morning? and How am I supposed to get to class?' So I resorted to English, which just made me mad, sad, lost, abandoned and look like a stupid, arrogant American. I sat in the station and kinda cried and called my mom just cause, even though I knew it would do no good. I couldn't call Nyko cause my phone doesn't like his French number for some reason. Stupid phone. (I may get a new one, which unfortunately means you all won't be able to call me cause it will be a British number :( so get Skype!!! Really guys! I want to talk to you and that is the only way!!!) So I bought another Metro ticket and made my way back to Nyko's place. I rang his doorbell and he was really confused why I came back, but he let me stay for another night. He was really counting on me being gone cause he had a lot of work. So I stayed up all night with him because there is no place to sleep while he is working. I watched Click (really good movie) and chatted on AIM. Then I suddenly realized that the Metro wouldn't be open early enough for me to get to my train on time, with way more than 30 mins to spare this time. So I stressed and found a train that would get me to the station slightly earlier. I got to the station quickly and ok, then found out that I couldn't even talk to the ticket counter until 6am. The train left at 6:22. Check in would start at 6:00 as well. So the bastards lied about their damn strict half hour check in rule. So I was really mad that they made me feel stupid for not getting there stupidly early the night before since that policy is obviously not as strict as they let on. Bastards. But they gave me a free ticket transfer, which is really nice, so I suppose I can't really hate them. I got on the train fine and slept the whole way. The train was basically empty so a grabbed a forward facing seat and stretched out across two. Missed the Chunnel again, but it was still dark so I might not ahve seen it even if I was awake.
When I got to London it was raining. Typical London. I had a hard time finding my bus stop, cause it was a different one than where I was dropped off, so I got wet, but I found it, got on my bus, and arrived safe, sound, and exhausted at my dorm. I then slept through my alarm, but managed to wake up in time for my one and only class! Yeay for making it to acting. Read on to the next post for London adventures.