School is out!

And it's about time. Of course to start off the three week break, my feet decided not to mind me, and tripped over a rock. I'm pretty skint up and I landed on a case of canned dog food that I was carrying. My chest bent the cans on one side. Luckily, it doesn't appear that I've broken anything. I just hurt like a son of a bitch when I move.

Why did I buy dog food? Well, we rescued a seven pound chihuahua mix. Some stupid bastard had dumped him at the corner near where we live. He's a cutie (and I don't even really care for chihuahuas, but when the universe gives you a dog, you gotta take it). He wouldn't eat the dry food our lab eats, so I went to the pet store and bought him some Evo canned food. Then I was carrying it to the garage, and bam!

I'm leaving on Tuesday to go to visit my mother and sister in NC. Hopefully my bruises will be on the mend by then. I'm such a klutz. 

Adding Ireland

I'm thinking about adding Ireland to my next trip. I think I can do Scotland and Ireland in three weeks. Maybe? I wonder if anyone's done it. It seems a little difficult to get to and from Ireland by ferry. I was thinking of flying to Inverness from London. I probably won't though. I hate flying. And I don't mean the actual act of flying. I actually love planes (sans economy class over the Atlantic Ocean). No, I hate the airport. Specifically the part where they treat you like you're a criminal. If you travel by commercial air you know what I'm talking about. I'm seriously considering paying the TSA $85 to get a preCheck number, just as soon as they get an application center near me (it's only the seventh largest city in the country after all). Yeah, the nearest center from me is four hours round trip by car, and get this, it's in a small town. That's government efficiency for you.

I don't know why they can't figure out who is a threat and who isn't. It's all in a computer! Or how's this for a brilliant idea, instead of fondling us or making us expose ourselves to radiation, you profile people based on behavior. It's amazing what a thirty second conversation will do for the right person. You can figure out all kinds of things about people in a few seconds. Like if they're fracking crazy or not. It seems to work for the Israelis. Except, that doesn't give you another alphabet agency that allows you to give appointments to your friends. And if you're a politician, we can't have that, now can we? Efficiency? Saving money? Preserving civil liberties? Something that actually works? Ha!

Journal Entry: DFW Crosswind Landing

[4:38pm Texas Time] 

I am in Dallas. Oy. So tired. Passport control/customs/screening seemed to take forever, but I am tired. 

The flight was long and boring. About an hour and a half before landing I thought I was going to be sick. Luckily I got a sprite from the stewardess and took a half a chloratab and felt better. Poor girl next to me threw up. I gave her my blanket as there [were] no air sick bags. She was embarrassed. I told her I’m sure it happens a lot. The landing was really rough. One of the roughest I think I’ve ever had. We were thrown sideways, and if the engine [on the wing] had hit the ground I wouldn’t have been shocked. I didn’t have much time to think about any of it though because I was trying to help the girl next to me. I think her name was Adrianna.

My head still hurts a bit because there was a screaming kid for part of the flight right in front of us. 

I’m eating fries at Bennigan’s at DFW. [French fries are great for a restless stomach.]

Journal Entry: City Blues - Paris

Today felt kind of wasted. I got up at 7:30a and had breakfast downstairs. It was free. I talked to a girl from New Zealand, her name escapes me. Amy maybe? Or April? Had a nice chat with her.

I went to the Museé d’Orsay. It was very nice, but it got really hot in there, so I wound up rushing the last bit because I wasn’t feeling so hot. 

 

Museé d'Orsay

Then I went to Les Halles. I ate at a Chinese place and paid way more for lunch than I intended. It was good though. Cost €12 with a drink. Then I found there was a whole underground shopping mall at Les Halles, but my knee really started hurting so I came back to the hostel to rest. I wrote out post cards. I found them 10 for €1.50. 

I may need to withdraw some more cash. The Museé d’Orsay wasn’t taking credit cards as their system wasn’t working. 

I took some more aspirin and then felt some better so I went back out. I went to Notre Dame and it was extremely crowded. I was going to go to St. Chappelle but it cost €8.50! So I skipped it.

 

Notre Dame - Paris

I then came back to the hostel and got a burger at the bar downstairs. It cost €12. I spent too much on food today. Then I came upstairs to the room and called Andy. I need to see about how early I should be to Orly for my flight. Ugh. I have the long flight part of the trip. It is worth it though. Otherwise how could I see all these cool things.

Some new arrivals came after I got off the phone with Andy. They were from New Zealand too. I can’t remember their names either. They are backpacking for three months. They were in Asia for a few weeks. Nice to have conversations with people. 

Dorm at St. Christopher's Paris - Canal

I have a lot to do tomorrow so I’m going to hit the hay.