Planes, Trains & Automobiles!

Bonjour tout le monde!

I can't believe I'm finally here!!! 

My flights on Icelandair were incredible! Unfortunately for me, I couldn't sleep a wink. The entertainment system kept me amused with the likes of The Hangover and Glee! Titanic seemed a bizarre film option, as it’s the true story of ship that goes down in the north Atlantic, which was duly noted on our travel route map as we traversed 35,000 feet above said ocean. Nevertheless, I survived to watch the gorgeous sunrise over Iceland! Iceland is so geologically different than anything I’ve ever seen. It is so peaceful and charming. I’m also convinced that Iceland is home to  la plus belle population on earth ;). I can’t wait to return next year and see geysirs, & glaciers & hot springs!!

Miraculously, I navigated my way through Charles de Gaulle in Paris. After running over many people with my 100+ pounds of poorly maneuverable suitcases, I’m fortunate that the dismal extent of my French language abilities extends to “excusez-moi,” “je suis désolée” and “parlez-vous anglais?”. What more would you need to know? Most times I start in French and I get a reply in English, but the occasional native French speaker makes me earn my keep!

I was so excited to take the TGV today!! I refuse to ride CN Rail ever again. There is such a thrill in flying through the countryside at up to 300 km/hour! Bucket list item: CHECK!! That said, you have no right to judge someone before you have seen her lug her body weight in luggage off an escalator and into a train.  The train turnaround time is very fast- 5 minutes on and off. Alors, as I struggled to hoist my massive 50-pound suitcases into the train, a growing horde of passengers amassed behind me and the conductor frantically blew his whistle. Stress, what stress? Que sera, sera!

I’ve been so fortunate so far that the French are a very helpful bunch! They are very busy and always on the go, but I was pleasantly surprised by their courteousness. I also can’t get enough of admiring their fashion choices and adoring their itty bitty cars! Many people bike here, and even more smoke. However, I hold their cuisine in high esteem. Croissants chocolats! Macarons! Des grand baguettes avec fromage bien sûr! And they sell wine in the grocery store! Bottles from 1,80€ to 7,22€! Civilized! It's just too bad I don't really like wine...yet!

The city of Tours est très beau and I had a blast walking around today- I clocked over 10 km! Certainly compensates for all the eating I did today! Tours is so beautiful and walkable. I have such admiration for French culture, cuisine & architecture! 

Z <3

Just 3 Days to Go!!!

Hey y'all!

Welcome to my travel blog. I hope that you will follow my adventures as I spend the next nine months of my life living in the République Française! 

So my bags are packed and I am ready to go! I will be flying Icelandair, making a brief pitstop to the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, before flying to Paris. From there, the train à grand vitesse (that is, high speed train, for our non-native French speakers ;) ) will take me to my final destination- Tours, France! 

It is incredible how fast time as flown. I’ve been counting down this trip for months (years even!) so to think that I am so close to this dream is surreal.

I have contained 9 months of living within the constraints of two suitcases not exceeding 50 pounds. Essentially the real-life application of Tetris. I have made photocopies of the photocopies of every possible document known to man (who knew there was such a thing as a “long form” birth certificate?!). What could possibly go wrong? Haha. I know that the next little while will be full of challenges (seeing as my French is rather "comme ci, comme ça"), and that there will be good days and bad days but I am ready to take on the world and see what it has to offer! I will miss my wonderful and supportive Canadian friends & family but am thrilled to meet new amis from all over the globe! 

Thank you for following my blog and stay tuned for regular updates as I blog from France! :) 

Z <3