Dear Home:
So Three days after my intended date departure, a few rude ticketing agents, and many hours on a train later, I arrived in Frankfurt last night at about 11:30. My Hostel was luckily across the street from the train station, with hot showers, free wi-fi and a 24 hour bar. A necessary reprieve from the grueling day behind me.
When I arrived at the train station early Monday morning, the first ticketing agent I spoke to, was even less helpful than the one on Friday. After trying to explain that there had been a mistake with the computer system and my seat had been double booked, he proceeded to tell me that there was no way to get into Germany on Monday, let alone Frankfurt.
I left disgruntled but not defeated. I crossed the hall to the OTHER ticketing office and approached another agent. I may have exaggerated my situation, saying that my flight left Tuesday and I HAD to be in Frankfurt as soon as possible (which is basically true), but I got my way. Two regional trains to Basel, Switzerland (where there was absolutely no passport control whatsoever) and then I was on my 3 hours ride to Frankfurt. I met two sisters from Indianapolis who were very nice. They are travelling around Europe with a Eurorail pass. We parted ways at Basel.
Today my plan is to take a train in a few hours up to Kassel where I will meet Franzisca, my couchsurfing host, and tomorrow I will do most of my filming. Thursday I will try to get my interview at the museum and then head back to Frankfurt and Friday I fly out.
France exhausted me so much. I am reluctant to say that I disliked it because it is such a beautiful city, but I was never more relieved than when I pulled into Basel and heard German and saw the beautiful German countryside on the train up to Frankfurt. Feels so much like home here.
Can't wait to be in my own bed in about 4 days.
Pictures later.
Em
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Changing plans and a nervous nancy
Dear Home:
Sorry about the wait. I've been otherwise occupied with interesting and intriguing tales of adventure, awkward advances, and arrondisements.
Friday morning after a relatively long night's sleep (10:30 to 10, yes!), I left the apartment to go walk around Jardin du Luxembourg. Very pretty and saw the Palais and fountain. A little touristy but on the outskirts of the park are a lot of locals, fitting in a morning run, match of tennis or some balancing tai chi.
I then "metro-ed" up to Gare de L'Est to inquire about my ticket from Paris to Frankfurt. Nothing for Saturday, nothing for Sunday. Great...but wait! Tonight at 10 p.m. I can go to Stuttgart and at 6 a.m. head from Stuttgart to Frankfurt. I'm in.
So then I make my to Sacre Coeur, stopping to film libraries along the way. Sacre Coeur, while being a pretty touristy destination, is also amazingly beautiful. The highest place in Paris, one can see for miles all around. I went inside the church and lit a candle for Grandpa Ralph and Grandpa Art. I'm not catholic and neither were they but prayer has no denomination.
I captured some film footage from the top of the Dome and just sat to absorb the feeling of being at the top of the world.
Then I headed to Notre Dame and the National library for some more footage and personal pictures. As I walked along the Seine to see the Louvre, I realized how incredibly massive it is. I think it literally stretches for at least an entire kilometer, if not more! Took some pictures in front of the pyramid and all around the perimeter. But I had to be back by 8 so that I could get into the apartment so I didn't linger. I'll be back though to go into the museum. I'm sure of it.
Back at the apartment I said goodbye to Katie and prepared to leave. I took my bags to the Eiffel tower for some pics but left soon. It was so crowded and I'm pretty sure that even though I haven't gained any extra luggage, my pack is increasing in weight.
At the train station, mere minutes before the train leaves, as is Emily's luck, I find that my seat has been double booked. Since the other person was travelling with family and I was alone, I thought it only chivalrous to allow them to have the seat and book another train sometime later. HOwever at this point the ticketing office was closed (and as I found out yesterday, doesn't open to til MOnday, I'm stuck in Paris for the weekend. Luckily, Katie graciously allowed me to stay for a few extra nights so I'm not stuck in the airport like last time.
Emily's having the best luck, aren't I?
Yesterday, Katie, her friend-Rachel-from Georgia, and I went to a local's park and walked around. I now know why Parisien women are freaking skinny: they walk around mountain and climb a skyscraper's worth of stairs each day. My legs are gonna be ripped when I get back.
Katie made a really great Vegetable-Mint stir fry. Delicious! And then we chatted over wine for a few hours. This morning, Sunday, was a lazy start and I've been popping in and out of cafes to do work, LSAT prep, and just relax. Unfortunately it is redonkously hot outside and thus I've been cooling off with Strawberry juice. Mmmmmm.
Sorry about the wait. I've been otherwise occupied with interesting and intriguing tales of adventure, awkward advances, and arrondisements.
Friday morning after a relatively long night's sleep (10:30 to 10, yes!), I left the apartment to go walk around Jardin du Luxembourg. Very pretty and saw the Palais and fountain. A little touristy but on the outskirts of the park are a lot of locals, fitting in a morning run, match of tennis or some balancing tai chi.
I then "metro-ed" up to Gare de L'Est to inquire about my ticket from Paris to Frankfurt. Nothing for Saturday, nothing for Sunday. Great...but wait! Tonight at 10 p.m. I can go to Stuttgart and at 6 a.m. head from Stuttgart to Frankfurt. I'm in.
So then I make my to Sacre Coeur, stopping to film libraries along the way. Sacre Coeur, while being a pretty touristy destination, is also amazingly beautiful. The highest place in Paris, one can see for miles all around. I went inside the church and lit a candle for Grandpa Ralph and Grandpa Art. I'm not catholic and neither were they but prayer has no denomination.
I captured some film footage from the top of the Dome and just sat to absorb the feeling of being at the top of the world.
Then I headed to Notre Dame and the National library for some more footage and personal pictures. As I walked along the Seine to see the Louvre, I realized how incredibly massive it is. I think it literally stretches for at least an entire kilometer, if not more! Took some pictures in front of the pyramid and all around the perimeter. But I had to be back by 8 so that I could get into the apartment so I didn't linger. I'll be back though to go into the museum. I'm sure of it.
Back at the apartment I said goodbye to Katie and prepared to leave. I took my bags to the Eiffel tower for some pics but left soon. It was so crowded and I'm pretty sure that even though I haven't gained any extra luggage, my pack is increasing in weight.
At the train station, mere minutes before the train leaves, as is Emily's luck, I find that my seat has been double booked. Since the other person was travelling with family and I was alone, I thought it only chivalrous to allow them to have the seat and book another train sometime later. HOwever at this point the ticketing office was closed (and as I found out yesterday, doesn't open to til MOnday, I'm stuck in Paris for the weekend. Luckily, Katie graciously allowed me to stay for a few extra nights so I'm not stuck in the airport like last time.
Emily's having the best luck, aren't I?
Yesterday, Katie, her friend-Rachel-from Georgia, and I went to a local's park and walked around. I now know why Parisien women are freaking skinny: they walk around mountain and climb a skyscraper's worth of stairs each day. My legs are gonna be ripped when I get back.
Katie made a really great Vegetable-Mint stir fry. Delicious! And then we chatted over wine for a few hours. This morning, Sunday, was a lazy start and I've been popping in and out of cafes to do work, LSAT prep, and just relax. Unfortunately it is redonkously hot outside and thus I've been cooling off with Strawberry juice. Mmmmmm.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Frustrated in Paris
Dear Home,
I hate to say it but stereotypes exist for a reason. Just like there do exist a lot of loud and obnoxious Americans (though it most certainly doesn't apply to everyone), there also exists a lot of rude and mean people in France (though it doesn't apply to everyone). Nearly every Parisian or French person I've come into contact with has been rude. It was a bit disheartening at first as an American who actually wants to try to learn about the culture as much as possible. This morning, I even wanted to cry, but that was also from a bit of lack of sleep.
Let me fill you in...
After a sleepless night on Tuesday, I got up Wednesday, had breakfast and said goodbye to Aydan and Sara and hit the train station. A pretty uneventful ride from Rome to Milan. I got a sandwich and transferred trains. My seat mate was a very nice Egyptian man who lives in Italy and was going to visit his brother in Paris. Okay, yes I made up a story about being married and having a daughter because he was coming on a little strong and that seemed to ease the situation.
I had hoped to start sleeping on the train right away and sleep all the way to Paris but then we hit the Alps and they were freaking insane. Next time I'm here, I'm staying in Switzerland near in the Alps. Stunning.
Well about 10:15 rolls around and the speaker overhead says something garbled in French, of which I pick up on, "Lyon" and "Paris". Wanting to be sure that it was "Gare du Lyon" that I heard, which was my stop in the city of Paris and not just "Lyon" which is a city two hours AWAY from Paris, I asked the conductor and he nodded and said yes and shuffled me off the train.
So I was thinking that I was set.
Then I realize that there is no metro station in here and everywhere around me, I see the signs for "Lyon".
Wonderful.
I trekked up to the airport connected to the train station and the guy at the information booth took pity on me by giving me a free internet card so that I could let ma famille and Katie (my host) know that I would not be arriving last night. No other trains were leaving until the next morning and thats when the ticket booth opened as well.
So airport floor it is!!
Luckily there were two other college age guys in the same boat and we ended up having some lovely chats. One guy from Sweden who was headed up to Germany and another from New York doing a summer program in Paris at the NYU campus. I felt bad for him because he was stuck in the aiport due to circumstances outside of his control. :(
In the morning, I got some awful coffee which was not a good start and went to the ticket booth. Well, try as I might to be as polite as possible and start speaking in French as best I can, apparently, that's not good enough. My Eurorail pass was apparently "invalid" until next Tuesday. (Well, I leave next Friday so that ain't an option). I ended up having to shell out 66 euros for a train ticket that I'm NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO PAY!!!
Grrr...This was when I had to hold back the tears. I said, "buck up, it's only three days" You'll be fine."
Got on the train. Took the metro to Katie's place. She showed me around. Her apartment is freaking sweet but at least 8 floors up which means my calves are going to be sore toomorrow. We walked around town so she could show me the libraries and metro station to get to Sacre Coeur tomorrow which is where I will get the first of my visuals for the documentary. FINALLY!
The saga begins.
Katie is an au pair and now at work til midnight. Meanwhile, I am enjoying some wine and tea, writing to ya'll and finishing up my storyboard for tomorrow.
I think I will take a nap shortly. Two nights in a row with minimal sleep. Not good for Em.
No pics yet.
Em
I hate to say it but stereotypes exist for a reason. Just like there do exist a lot of loud and obnoxious Americans (though it most certainly doesn't apply to everyone), there also exists a lot of rude and mean people in France (though it doesn't apply to everyone). Nearly every Parisian or French person I've come into contact with has been rude. It was a bit disheartening at first as an American who actually wants to try to learn about the culture as much as possible. This morning, I even wanted to cry, but that was also from a bit of lack of sleep.
Let me fill you in...
After a sleepless night on Tuesday, I got up Wednesday, had breakfast and said goodbye to Aydan and Sara and hit the train station. A pretty uneventful ride from Rome to Milan. I got a sandwich and transferred trains. My seat mate was a very nice Egyptian man who lives in Italy and was going to visit his brother in Paris. Okay, yes I made up a story about being married and having a daughter because he was coming on a little strong and that seemed to ease the situation.
I had hoped to start sleeping on the train right away and sleep all the way to Paris but then we hit the Alps and they were freaking insane. Next time I'm here, I'm staying in Switzerland near in the Alps. Stunning.
Well about 10:15 rolls around and the speaker overhead says something garbled in French, of which I pick up on, "Lyon" and "Paris". Wanting to be sure that it was "Gare du Lyon" that I heard, which was my stop in the city of Paris and not just "Lyon" which is a city two hours AWAY from Paris, I asked the conductor and he nodded and said yes and shuffled me off the train.
So I was thinking that I was set.
Then I realize that there is no metro station in here and everywhere around me, I see the signs for "Lyon".
Wonderful.
I trekked up to the airport connected to the train station and the guy at the information booth took pity on me by giving me a free internet card so that I could let ma famille and Katie (my host) know that I would not be arriving last night. No other trains were leaving until the next morning and thats when the ticket booth opened as well.
So airport floor it is!!
Luckily there were two other college age guys in the same boat and we ended up having some lovely chats. One guy from Sweden who was headed up to Germany and another from New York doing a summer program in Paris at the NYU campus. I felt bad for him because he was stuck in the aiport due to circumstances outside of his control. :(
In the morning, I got some awful coffee which was not a good start and went to the ticket booth. Well, try as I might to be as polite as possible and start speaking in French as best I can, apparently, that's not good enough. My Eurorail pass was apparently "invalid" until next Tuesday. (Well, I leave next Friday so that ain't an option). I ended up having to shell out 66 euros for a train ticket that I'm NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO PAY!!!
Grrr...This was when I had to hold back the tears. I said, "buck up, it's only three days" You'll be fine."
Got on the train. Took the metro to Katie's place. She showed me around. Her apartment is freaking sweet but at least 8 floors up which means my calves are going to be sore toomorrow. We walked around town so she could show me the libraries and metro station to get to Sacre Coeur tomorrow which is where I will get the first of my visuals for the documentary. FINALLY!
The saga begins.
Katie is an au pair and now at work til midnight. Meanwhile, I am enjoying some wine and tea, writing to ya'll and finishing up my storyboard for tomorrow.
I think I will take a nap shortly. Two nights in a row with minimal sleep. Not good for Em.
No pics yet.
Em
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Holy See, Batman!
Dear Home:
I don't know how to even describe today. Somehow the phrase: I have been rendered speechless: doesn't compare to the awesome accomplishment I feel.
But first, let's start where we left off.
I was waiting to here back from Ian's band manager, right? I was going to go see him perform, correct? Didn't happen. Not a bit.
Major bummer.
I did however wait in their hotel for 3 hours...nearly falling asleep on couch in the lobby. I also nearly passed out as a I walked back to my hostel. But I finally made it. Took a shower and a short nap.
Rejuvenated I got on skype with mi madre finally and coordinated a three-way phone call with me and her and then via her phone, the verizon wireless help guy. No jokes please. My phone, which hasn't turned on since I got here, apparently has a hardware malfunction. New phone coming when I get back to the states. Hooray! *eye roll* Because this totally helps me now...
So I after that I discuss with my parents about how I want to work the rest of my trip. We ended up changing my flight back to the 1st of July. So I will be home in about 10 days. I just have to survive till then.
Then I decided to clear my head and took the metro up to Piazza del Popolo. Beautiful. I walked through the main shopping district down to the Spanish steps and also saw the Trevi Fountain again. Got some gelato and walked back to the hostel to get to sleep. I was exhausted.
I woke up with Aydan, Kathy, and Louise for breakfast this morning where we met Sara from Boston who has been travelling around Europe after studying abroad for a semester. She was off to the Colloseum and we were off to the Vatican so we decided to meet up with her later for dinner.
Then A, K, L, and I left for the Vatican. Crazy huge. We walked in the main piazza and I couldn't believe my eyes. It is everything you would expect and more. But perhaps the best part was inside the Basilica. It is bigger than any building I've ever been in. Yes, even ResREc...you could easily fit 4 or 5 of them in here. And so intricate. Louise and Kathy left and Aydan and I went into the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel. I took TONS of video clips inside the Vatican museums. Unfortunately, no luck inside the Sistine, but the memory of it is worth is good enough. It really is almost overwhelming seeing everything in the Vatican in one day.
Afterwards, tired and nearly stumbling the streets outside the Vatican, we found some gelato and espresso and then walked around towards Castel Sant Angelo and down the Tiber, got lost, and finally found the Colloseum. Also amazing.
I'm finding that I am running out of adjectives because literally everything is breathtaking. It's so difficult to describe the culture. Around every corner there is a masterpiece of culture and history. It's a bit exhausting after a while.
We got back to the hostel. Showered. Talked with mom and G-ma and Dad. And also with Brian, another one of our roommates from Vancouver. Met up with Sara and headed to Trastevere for food. Delicious pizza, some liters of wine and fully belly later, we milled around the fun bar district for a bit and found to stop for a drink.
Couldn't stay long because Sara had to get up early. As do I but we did end up finding a bar and saw a bunch of Guido-americans being loud and obnoxious. Thanks. That's why we get a bad rap. Aydan did mention, however, that his perception of Americans is actually changed a bit because of Sara and myself. YAY! A little diplomacy and good manners can go a long way.
Now I'm sitting up at 5:20 in the morning. Can't sleep. Still have to pack. A little hungry. And posting to you lovely people.
Pictures soon.
EM
I don't know how to even describe today. Somehow the phrase: I have been rendered speechless: doesn't compare to the awesome accomplishment I feel.
But first, let's start where we left off.
I was waiting to here back from Ian's band manager, right? I was going to go see him perform, correct? Didn't happen. Not a bit.
Major bummer.
I did however wait in their hotel for 3 hours...nearly falling asleep on couch in the lobby. I also nearly passed out as a I walked back to my hostel. But I finally made it. Took a shower and a short nap.
Rejuvenated I got on skype with mi madre finally and coordinated a three-way phone call with me and her and then via her phone, the verizon wireless help guy. No jokes please. My phone, which hasn't turned on since I got here, apparently has a hardware malfunction. New phone coming when I get back to the states. Hooray! *eye roll* Because this totally helps me now...
So I after that I discuss with my parents about how I want to work the rest of my trip. We ended up changing my flight back to the 1st of July. So I will be home in about 10 days. I just have to survive till then.
Then I decided to clear my head and took the metro up to Piazza del Popolo. Beautiful. I walked through the main shopping district down to the Spanish steps and also saw the Trevi Fountain again. Got some gelato and walked back to the hostel to get to sleep. I was exhausted.
I woke up with Aydan, Kathy, and Louise for breakfast this morning where we met Sara from Boston who has been travelling around Europe after studying abroad for a semester. She was off to the Colloseum and we were off to the Vatican so we decided to meet up with her later for dinner.
Then A, K, L, and I left for the Vatican. Crazy huge. We walked in the main piazza and I couldn't believe my eyes. It is everything you would expect and more. But perhaps the best part was inside the Basilica. It is bigger than any building I've ever been in. Yes, even ResREc...you could easily fit 4 or 5 of them in here. And so intricate. Louise and Kathy left and Aydan and I went into the Vatican museums and the Sistine Chapel. I took TONS of video clips inside the Vatican museums. Unfortunately, no luck inside the Sistine, but the memory of it is worth is good enough. It really is almost overwhelming seeing everything in the Vatican in one day.
Afterwards, tired and nearly stumbling the streets outside the Vatican, we found some gelato and espresso and then walked around towards Castel Sant Angelo and down the Tiber, got lost, and finally found the Colloseum. Also amazing.
I'm finding that I am running out of adjectives because literally everything is breathtaking. It's so difficult to describe the culture. Around every corner there is a masterpiece of culture and history. It's a bit exhausting after a while.
We got back to the hostel. Showered. Talked with mom and G-ma and Dad. And also with Brian, another one of our roommates from Vancouver. Met up with Sara and headed to Trastevere for food. Delicious pizza, some liters of wine and fully belly later, we milled around the fun bar district for a bit and found to stop for a drink.
Couldn't stay long because Sara had to get up early. As do I but we did end up finding a bar and saw a bunch of Guido-americans being loud and obnoxious. Thanks. That's why we get a bad rap. Aydan did mention, however, that his perception of Americans is actually changed a bit because of Sara and myself. YAY! A little diplomacy and good manners can go a long way.
Now I'm sitting up at 5:20 in the morning. Can't sleep. Still have to pack. A little hungry. And posting to you lovely people.
Pictures soon.
EM
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 1 and 2 pics!
Aidan and I at the Scottish Pub
Trevi Fountain by nightlight!
Spanish steps! Hella busy
Piazza del Poppolo
P.S.
Sorry for the bad grammar in the last post, this one, and future. Im trying to get used to the keyboards.
Em
Em
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