This is the second pre-departure (before leaving to go to my site of study, Angers) blog. Since I have already been in Europe before my program through WOU began, I started blogging early. The official assignment would be starting now, had I followed the usual timeline, so I’m doing a mini start over for assignment purposes.

“I’m leeeaving, on a fast train!”

September 1, 2012

Tomorrow is the day. I have one night before hopping on the train to Angers. I have so much to do that I’m barely thinking about that! Traveling with my family went SO fast and was a whirlwind of wonderful experiences. However, right now I’m kind of stressed about how much I have to do. I’m behind on blogging and getting further behind every day.

*Interruption!* I’m writing this on the subway and a man with a saxophone and another with an accordion just boarded and began to play….loudly. Many people seem to be annoyed but I am rather amused (as I’ve learned you must be, to put up with Paris).

Today, Saturday, we are going out to Versailles Palace and Gardens. Should be a fun day. Tonight, though is my last chance to copy pictures from my dad’s camera to my laptop, re-pack everything and get prepared to start the next chapter. It’s exciting, yes, but overwhelming!

Fountain in Versailles Gardens!

I’m looking forward to moving in and being settled in one place for awhile. I can’t wait to make new friends! I am nervous about taking the French placement test, but it will be good to start studying the language again after so long and even better to learn it while here where I’ll be using it! Other sources of apprehension are the complete unknown of meeting my family and roommate, wondering if I’ll have internet access and when and where I can do laundry next!

Those are basically all my thoughts about it so far, I’ve been too distracted! I guess I’ll see tomorrow when I’m on the train with my bags and my parents are on the plane home how these feelings change!

Cette une grand adventure!

I also have a quick P.S. to my Paris blog about the people along the way that brightened my day and deserve to be mentioned.

1)      In Brugge on our last morning, we were walking through town after acquiring chocolate and a young man wearing an apron and a bandana ran past us carrying a rag in one hand, and a cucumber in the other. I have no more information than that, but a glimpse at him amused me enough to smile the rest of the walk!

2)      Many of the people working at little shops in train stations and such are fairly grouchy, which I suppose is understandable. There was however, one man whose good humor was appreciated. As we made our purchase, he asked my mom for 20 cents or something and while digging in her coin purse she discovered a mini fork from a sample. As a joke, she offered it to the cashier and I cringed expecting a humorless and annoyed response. To our pleasant surprise, he played along with the fun and consequently brightened my day!

3)      As mentioned in my Paris blog, the couple from Australia that was traveling around and got confused about train transfers was very good company. I enjoyed meeting them and not being alone in our situation.

4)      Finally I must mention Simba and his family. Simba is the name I gave to an adorable little boy on the top of the Eiffel Tower with his parents. He pointed to a patch of trees and asked about it. His dad told him that it was as big as central park. Actually, that it was even bigger! Simba didn’t seem to believe that “…I don’t know, Dad…Central park is willy willy huge. You just see trees all over!” .  The short version is that that’s when mom cut in to back up dad and assure Simba that the tiny green patch in the distance was, in fact larger than he could comprehend. “Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.”

That green patch in the distance is Simba’s Central Park (taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower)

So, before departing to begin part 3, I have to take another moment to appreciate what I’ve done so far, thank the people that have come into my life so far, and thank the people that made this trip possible.
P.S. I love you.

A “Thank You” from Versailles <3

Emily