So I did it...yes this is a bit delayed but quand même. Navigated 3 airports, took the metro and RER to get to the first one all while lugging my stuffed luggage along. People did help me with the stairs though, I don't know if it looked like I was struggling or because I was a girl or alone but I appreciated it. I can tell I've come along way when I got to exactly the right stations and people were asking me for directions, I also even checked my luggage in French even after the lady saw my student visa. I had an interesting short flight from CDG to HTW, this crazy French business guy was trying to get a French phone and to use it on the plane and was basically soliciting the flight attendant, I wouldn't of understood anything if that had been the flight on the way to France...
Then at Heathrow in London I attempted to get something to eat since they took euros but they'd only take one coin and I couldn't find a 2 euro one and the conversion to british pounds is terrible so I gave up. The flight was smooth other than the multiple crying babies but what can you do.
Second first impressions on America/Americans:
Do we reallly sounds like that?
Wow. We reallly stand out (especially abroad, so many in London)
So. Much. English.
Also having to remember not to say: merci/pardon/bonjour/bon journée/etc after having that drilled into my brain for 5 months. It was especially sad leaving the plane in London because all the staff was French and I had my last au revoir :(( It became so automatic that ordering things in English is still kind of awkward.
It's also funny that coming into London on train I was drilled with questions and by going through security THREE TIMES and I was more prepared this time but also more tired they were much nicer? Hmm
and then I was in Michigan and it was muggy and 80 something degrees. So grateful for my boyfriend for picking me up at McNamara though! It's just now getting real that I'm here and obviously I'm really satisfied with the experience I had and I'm beyond grateful for everything and finally to be home but I'm also quite sad. It's because there are so many things (mainly cultural) that just don't exist here or are harder to find, I miss the French way of life as difficult as it was to adjust to in the first place. Home has a different kind of sense (where is it?!) moving around like crazy these past 6 months. I feel like my life doesn't fit in my little room in Warren any more (good thing I'll have an apartment in Kalamazoo next fall!!) after living out of 2 suitcases for 5 months it's definitely time to de-clutter a bit. It's taken me a while but I'm settling into "home home."
Bisous
Liz
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