Journal Entry: More Train Shenanigans

This was the worst day by far. And it’s raining too, but at least I didn’t get caught in it. I hate Paris. More specifically please send me back to the endless fields of grapes.

The train ride was bad. But let me back up. After I checked out of the hostel, I missed the gas station where I was going to get gas. I pulled into a different one, but the streets are all one way, so I couldn’t go back. I got a bit lost. Then once I found the station parking, I couldn’t find the Avis spots. 

I filled it up!

The paint was almost worn off the pavement, but I finally saw them. Then when I went into the station, I saw on the board that there was an electrical problem between Toulouse and Carcassonne, so the trains were delayed/cancelled. I might be on the six o’clock news here, as there was a guy from France 3 walking around interviewing people.

I stood in line, and found the Avis office is unsigned, and on the front right side of the station. Then the girl told me to go to catch the bus to Narbonne as I had a layover for the train to Paris there. 

I missed the bus. But then I stood in line again and they said the train I was supposed to be on was okay. I waited but they all said they were still delayed so when a train came in and was marked “Narbonne” I went up to Information and asked if I should get on it, and the lady said yes. So I ran, and made it just as it was leaving. 

I caught the train in Narbonne no problem. The train ride from Narbonne to Paris was horrid. No dead body this time, though I could have killed the fat pig of a man sitting next to me. He was probably 350 pounds, and didn’t even try to keep to his seat. [Note that I used to be quite fat, but I tried my best to not invade other people's space.] And he smelled and kept coughing without covering his mouth. And he was ugly. And I don’t mean just physically. His soul was ugly. 

I spent €5 on a yogurt and water, just to sit in the dining car and get away from him.

I got to the hostel okay. The restaurant was really busy. I wanted to eat there, but all the tables were reserved. When I finally got a table, no one waited on me. I was irritable from the train ride so that might have colored my perception of things. 

Normally the bar has a good vibe, but when I arrived it was horribly crowded with large school groups

 I finally went to the store and bought a small bottle of wine from the Pays d’Oc!!!! Yum! It was only €2.75 or so. I also bought a sandwich from the place down the street from the hostel. “Poulet avec fromage.” And they asked me if I wanted it hot. They meant spicy. It wasn’t that spicy. Not like the place in Marseille. 

My writing sucks. I blame the wine and that I want to go to sleep. 

Good night.

Journal Entry: More Hostel Shenanigans

I returned to my room to find my pajamas on top of someone else’s luggage and my blanket had been moved around. I don’t know what the fuck was up with that. It’s also quite damp in here. I have opened the door to hopefully air it out a bit. I do like the bathroom here. The ensuite is very nice. That’s the only thing I like about this room. The hostel itself is good. The bar and kitchen are amazing. 

 

Remains of Roman Amphitheatre in Nice outside Archaeology Museum

So anyway, I was going to go to Cap Ferrat today, but I think the time trials for the Grand Prix in Monaco started today because it was absolute bedlam at the train station. So I scratched that idea. Instead I went to the Matisse museum and the Archaeology museum. They were both free today but I’m not sure why. They usually cost money. 

After the incredibly long walk, I went to the old town and ate lunch at the same kebab place as yesterday. I then was going to take a stroll on the “Promenade des Anglais” but it looked like rain, so I went to the Contemporary Art museum. It was free too. 

I walked very far today, and my feet are sore. 

I leave for Marseille at 10:57a tomorrow morning. I hope the hostel in Marseille is nice or I’m going to the Hilton. I’m kidding. Or am I?

Journal Entry: Shenanigans and Rude Americans

I was wide awake at midnight thinking it was close to morning. I need to try to go to bed slightly later than 7pm! I have muscles in my legs that I forgot were there. They are not happy with me! Aspirin is my friend.

Last night, I’m not sure what time, but the guy who was in the bunk above me came into the room. The look on his face was priceless. They had switched the bunk out at some point in the day, and put a completely different bunk in. I told him he should go to reception and get clean sheets as they had mixed up our bedding. I had gotten clean sheets earlier myself. I think he was German, or maybe Czech. I keep forgetting not everyone speaks English and I also forget to say “Buongiorno” when entering shops. My mother taught me no Italian manners! 

They switched out the bunk bed... why?

I will be checking out in about an hour. My train leaves for Napoli at 9:39a. I went ahead and bought my next ticket from Napoli to Florence and it was €72! It is the Eurostar train though. The regional trains were slightly cheaper but no promo “mini” fares, so not much cheaper and they take twice the time.  

I paid €8 for laundry yesterday. I had spilled gelato on my pants at the forum. I’m all clean now, so I shouldn’t have to do laundry for a little while. I’ve been washing my underwear and socks (they stink at the end of the day!) in the shower every evening. That is V.’s way of doing it and it is brilliant. It was also a brilliant idea to bring a couple of little vials of laundry detergent with me.  

Speaking of the Forum, when I was at the Coliseum, on the underground tour, there was an American couple that was bitching about how the tour was a waste of money as the guide did not know his history, because he’d said it was a myth that Christians were fed to lions regularly. He said Christians had been executed, but not in the arena. That it was a later legend. So they were bitchy Americans. 

And another bitchy American story. Yesterday when I was at the Vatican, Halley and I were just starting out, and there was a garden with a giant bronze pinecone in it and two sphinxes. I was overly excited and walked over to the sphinx. An American lady snapped, “Well thanks for walking in my way” in a very nasty tone. She had been trying to take a picture. I apologized because I’m nice, but really? How rude! It’s crowded and I didn’t even see her. No wonder Europeans think Americans are rude, what with people like her wandering around here.

It's a Statue, it will be there when I move out of your way

I am having egg withdrawal. At least I know there is an American breakfast place in Florence. I will definitely find it.

The Hostel's Dining Room: I hope to still go backpacking when I'm very old