Written March 31, 2008 (pictures added): in a paris internet cafe kicking time in the NECK.
We have been in Paris since about 9pm, and if it weren’t for the fact that we’ve been on the move for two weeks+ (and I’m exhausted, and my feet feel like i’ve been walking on cobblestones…oh wait, I really have been walking on cobblestone streets this entire time), I really wouldn’t be complaining about being stuck here.
But it’s been two weeks since I’ve been able to sleep for a decent amount of time, comfortably and in a quiet room. I’m cranky and at the point past ’sleepy,’ the one that, as a group, we’ve defined as ‘loopy.’ It’s fitting. Getting up to buy another hour on the computer, I stumbled and fell over, not realizing that there was a mini-ramp to the side until I actually was on my butt and touching it (the ramp).
That was fun.
To give myself a little credit though, it’s a bit dim on this side of the internet cafe as it’s sort of the ‘gamer’-side; the computer screens are even larger. Earlier today there were a bunch of people playing WoW and that made me chuckle on the inside a bit.
Anyway, onto how our little predicament began.
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Spring forward stabbed us in the back
Heather, Craig, Catlett and I woke up this morning after a late, fun night out in Cologne, Germany, in high spirits, sort of sleepy, but pretty much happy with life. And then we get a text from Frannie saying, “Did you guys remember to turn your clocks forward?” or something along those lines and all our good feelings pretty much dissipated. That moment was sort of a stand-still, and then I announced her message to the others and the whole world seemed to be at a stand-still…well, if only.
We booked it out of there, caught a cab and made it to the train at 12:13pm, just in time to see the doors shut. We got to touch those doors, marvel at the fact that they didn’t open, cried a little on the inside as we watched people on the platform wave to people inside the train that slowly pulled out and away from us, and got pissed.
FanTAStic.
We then went to make new reservations, and of course that meant spending more money. Our train was originally for 12:14pm, and the next one that had available seats left at 5:17pm or some crazy time like that. Our train for Marseille is at 6:16am this morning…only about 3 hours until it’s time to leave! How exciting. So we also lost time in Marseille. Poor Frannie is all alone in Marseille, had to check into the apartment-hotel we rented for two nights. At least we’ll be able to spend time there tomorrow relaxing–we’re going to be dead tired.
Well, I suppose that isn’t too much of a change from the rest of the trip thus far. I feel as if I’m in a perpetual state of exhaustion-but it’s happy exhaustion! Which is ok, except I’m the kind of person that needs 10+ hours of sleep, five pillows, a comfy mattress, a sheet, and a down blanket to really get a good night’s rest. That’s not including the lack of stress, lack of caffeine in the system and other weird things that disrupt sleep–there are many. I’m rather picky that way. But when all those conditions are met, man, I’m in heaven.
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Homeless in Paris
So Paris is gorgeous at night. At the turn of the hour at one o’clock in thh morning, we walked around and saw the Eiffel Tower explode in white lights from the tons of white light bulbs they fastened to it, took night pictures of the Louvre, saw the Arch de Triumph (sp?), and some other stuff too. Wondrous. Just as important were how sore my feet were, how cramped my left calf was, and how my body would feel come tomorrow. Oh well.
Anyway, I was rather excited to be a wanderer tonight. It’s not often that you’re in Europe with nothing to do but meander down cobblestone streets surrounded by history! And, not that this is a bad thing, we’ve had our entire trip planned pretty much to the tee up to this point. I was anticipating going around Paris without a plan and a place to stay, like a hobo! Except not really. But it was an adventure! Is…but it got old rather quickly haha–-getting sleepy and cold and tired will do that to you, I guess. Though I suppose we are in Paris, and that is something to be envied. I guess.
Heather and Craig are on the computer as well, and Catlett’s passed out on the table next to me.
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Goals for tomorrow: cleansing
Heather and I dream of clean clothes and hope to find a laundromat tomorrow near our apartment. We want to shower upon arriving there, want to relax all day. We may wander around and admire how pretty Marseille is, and I definitely want to see the Chataue d’If-like from Alexandre Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo!-but I’d also really just like to be a vegetable.
Catlett said the day after we arrive back at Sheffield he plans to not move from his bed. When he first said it, I admit to laughing a bit in incredulity, but soon after, and especially now, I’m thinking I could do that for a week after arriving and not be discomfitted in the least.
Ok, Heather’s now out like a light. Her time ran out on the internet, and she set her head down, and I think she’s gone. That’s nice.
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Pluses
- Have now been to Paris twice.
- Ate a ham and tomato panini and a nutella and banana crepe.
- Got to see Paris at night and not crawling with ant-people (people who are pushy, annoying, all over).
- Got some exercise? (Perhaps I’m pushing it with this one.)
- Got to talk to the parents and brother on Skype-chat. Miss them terribly. May come back to Europe next summer with them and start the fun all over again!
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P.S. I want more space cakes from Barney’s coffeeshop in Amsterdam.
