Terminal

Paris Photo Gallery

Gary’s reservations for the hotel expired this morning, and so at around 9:00 am I was forced out onto the lonely Paris streets with over 100 pounds of luggage (everything I owned). A mile later and I was struggling down the staircase of the French subway station. In retrospect, it is somewhat strange that no one offered to help because I was clearly struggling. I do not want to sound rude, but I am certain that people in America would have come over to help despite any protestations I might have made.

Nevertheless, this was surely one of those miserable experiences my father tells me “build character." What rubbish.

After an hour of maneuvering, I found my way onto a train destined for Charles de Gaulle Airport, where I am currently typing away. I have a one hour wi-fi card, 87 euro cents, an apple, all my luggage, and a full 24 hours until my flight departs for China! I did not want to pay the exorbitant price of a Paris hotel, and then struggle to the airport again tomorrow morning (it is 20 minutes outside the city), so I will be spending my last day surviving - another "character builder."

The bottom line: Tom Hanks (in the movie Terminal) has nothing on me.