Okay so the title is supposed to be a "Rocky an Bullwinkle" referance, but I'm not sure it came across in text.
Anyway...
I was woken up very very early by Hali pcking. She was making alot of ruckus, but I didn't mind because she was running late and I understood that it is more imprtant to catch the plane than be quiet. (also I woke her up several times with my middle of the night bursts of coughing, so in some way it is like Karma) She couldn't get her suitcase closed, and was really struggling. I watched for a minute then rolled out of bed to help her out. Once the suitcase was shut I rolled back into bed. Laurel came to get Hali cause they were waiting for her, so she said a quick goodbye to me and out she went. I was sad to see her go. She was an awsome roomie and friend. I think I will miss her, to bad she lives in Florida, so far away!!! :(
I then went back to sleep for a bit, actually I slept through my alarm, but I only woke up about 45 minutes behind schedule. My plan was to be up, finish packing, and shower before everyone left was meeting for breakfast. But it was only 15 to breakfast so I just jumped in the shower, got dressed and went down to eat with everyone. We ate and chatted. Then said our goodbyes to everyone before going up to finish packing. It was a little awkward because it was that I'll probably never see you again kind of goodbye, but at least there is the wonder of Facebook to keep us connected.
After breakfast I returned to the room to continue packing. It was then I began to find things Hali had left behind in her rush. A flashlight, a deck of cards, etc. None of that stuff really mattered, but a bag full of ALL OF HER JEWELRY DID!!! When I found the bag I just thought to myself, shit I have to find a way to get this to Florida! My first thought was to take it with me and send it from Toulouse but I didn't have room and it would've been super expensive. Then I thought I could give it to Chris to send from the states, but I missed him. I was really worried till I realized I had to leave a book for Hannah at the front desk of the Hotel (I had borrowed the book but forgot it Friday for returning it, so JP made me an envelope with Hannah's info on it so she could pick it up). Brilliant!!! I could leave the bag of jewelry with Hannah's book and Hali could contact Hannah and have it sent from CIEE. Once that crisis was averted I finished packing then hung out with Robert for a bit. Hali had borrowed a few things so I returned those. Then I had to check out of the hotel. I gave the man at the desk the very impotant envelope, and my key. Apparently Hali had not checked out, this would've been fine other than I had to pay the 4 and a half euros for the phone that we both used. Whatever.
The only bad thing was that all of that had delayed me slightly so I was running a bit late. Then I got lost in the train station. This led to me briskly walking through the station trying to get to my train. Then a buzzer started going off announcing departure. I ran and got on the train. WHEH!!! Then I gave the lady my ticket and she said some stuff in French. I tried to understand but she was using strange vocabulary. The man next to me spoke some English so he tired to translate something about asking someone, or getting off at the next stop. I was super confused and worried!!!! Was I on the wrong train!?!? Would they kick me off!?!? I knew the train went to Toulouse, but now I wasn't sure if I would get there.
I found a seat and tried to take my mind off it. I figured I would ask someone when we stopped. After about an hour a man came through to check tickets. When it came to my turn I handed him my ticket and he said something in French, very quickly and very angrily. Then he gave me the ticket and walked out. I didn't even have enought time to ask him to repeat it. I asked the man who helped me the first time to help me ask about my ticket but he misunderstood and asked if the train was going to Toulouse and the man said yes, but I already knew that. I waited a while, but by then was really hungy to I went to the food cart to buy lunch worried we would stop at any time. I waited in line, and got my overpriced lunch. Then I made my way back to my seat. I made it about half way through my lunch before I was just too anxious to wait anymore. I figured out how to ask what I needed to in French in my head before finding the woman who had greated me on the train. I found he and asked if my ticket was bad (in French). She asked if I was going to Toulouse (in French), and I said Oui (I think you've got that one). Then she said it would be ok (in French). I went back to my seat so releaved. Finally I could enjoy the train ride after only 2 hours of worrying.
The rest of the ride went smoothy. I ate the rest of my lunch, read, listened to music, colored in the Mickey Mouse coloring book Mom got me for the trip, slept, and enjoyed the scenery. It was very relaxing. I did have to ask the train woman where we were at one stop to make sure I didn't miss mine. I epically screwed up the question, but the woman next to us helped and I figured out where we were on the map.
Once we got to the station I got off and grabbed my info to figure out where the Hostel I was supposed to stay at was. I had trouble finding the metro in the huge station so I asked at the information desk. The nice woman deirected me and eventually I found it, bought my ticket, and got on the right train. (Keep in mind I was doing all of this while caring all of my luggage with me) I got off the train and found the right street, and of course it was uphill. I began to climb, but luckily the hostel was close. I went in and talked to the man at the front desk. I only wanted to stay one night instead of the two JP had called for, for me because I could stay at Hugo's home Sunday night. The man wouldn't let me, he made me pay for two. Jerk!!! But I would rather stay with Hugo anyway. The place was kind of trashy so I understand why it was so cheep. I chilled in my room and tried to get internet, I couldn't. So I went down to the common room and tried. Still no luck. So finally I just used thier computer to check email and stuff. Then I started chatting with Hugo on Facebook. I told him I was in Toulouse by myself in a hostel and he said he would try to catch a train back to Toulouse that night!!!!! HUGO TO THE RESCUE!!!!!
Now I was excited. I went back up to my room and realized I should probably eat dinner. So I locked my luggage in one of the closet things and went downstairs to ask where a restaurant was. The man said there was a supermarket close but it closed soon (in French). So I went there and got the Amber French cheep dinner, aka little tomatos, a mini baguette, cheese, and a coke. Truely a dinner of champions, and under 5 euros. I also got some granola bars for future train rides. Then I ate back in my room. The internet worked for a bit, so I skyped Emily (Yay!!!), chatted with people, and tried to watch Moulin Rouge. Then the internet died, so i watched Step Up which is in my itunes. After I ate I got all fo my stuff back together for Hugo's arrival.
Hugo showed up, and I was so happy to see a farmiliar face. Hugo tried talking to the man who worked at the hostel, but he said the man we needed to talk to wouldn't be back till Monday. So Hugo said he would call then, if not I guess I paid for 5 hours of a place to stay, put my stuff, and use the internet. Hugo and I drove away and Hugo informed me some o his fiends were having a party and invited me to go. I decided that sounded fun, but before we went to the flat we stopped at a ba and Hugo introduced me to this very popular drink in Southern France called Pastis. You drink it watered down (with water) and it is very strong and kind of tastes like licorice. It was very odd.
Then we went to his friends going away party at his friends flat. They were all drunk when we got there and still drinking, but that just made them super fun. THey had a great time trying to speak in English and jokingly yelling at each other if they spoke in Fench. It was hilarious. We talked and laughed and had a great time. I think the best was when they tried to sing popular American songs. They knew maybe a third of the lyrics, so they would blet those out really loudly, then sing nonsense sounds and words for the rest. Super funny!!! They were all really nice, crazy and fun. I am really glad I went.
Once we left we came to Hugo's mother's house and went to bed. Definately a strange day that ended up well.
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