An American Girl in Avignon

May 24, 2009
Our attempt to get up and watch the sunrise this morning was a fail. By the time we got up, which was around 6ish, the sun was already up. But, alas, the mysteriously missing beach: right where it was supposed to be! After sleeping some more, we packed our bags, checked out, went to a bakery, and walked: to the St. Pierre Eglise, to the beach, all around town. It was so relaxing. What a calm before the storm. Today was the travel day from hell! I don’t think I have ever experienced a seemingly longer day of travel in my life!
It all began when we arrived at the train station in Granville. First, we couldn’t find out where our train was leaving from or our voiture numbers. It was really hot outside and we were getting tired waiting for our train to arrive. In addition, it was late. When it finally arrived, I boarded happily, journal and Cesar in hand, ready to finish all my homework I hadn’t done over the weekend. Well, at least I had good intentions.
About halfway through the three hour train ride, the air conditioning stopped working. OH MY GOD!!! The train was completely full, and some people were standing in the aisles. I thought I was going to die of heat stroke! If we hadn’t had been in pubic, I would not have hesitated to rip my clothes off right then and there. That’s how hot it was. I was running out of water, sweating in places I didn’t even know you could sweat, and getting headachy and irritated very quickly. I was worried somebody would faint. I wanted nothing more than to get off that train. People around me were dripping in sweat and babies started crying. It was absolutely miserable. To top things off, I had to go to the bathroom. Of course, the bathroom didn’t flush, and the sink didn’t work, but I sucked it up and went anyway. Thankfully, while I was waiting in line, I spotted complimentary bottles of water. I grabbed a stash of those. I would have poured the whole case all over me if there hadn’t been anyone else around. Again, that’s how hot it was.
When we finally, finally, finally, arrived in Paris, everyone jumped out of their seats, eager to get the heck out of there asap! Thankfully, we had vouchers waiting for us when we stepped off, so I think I may at least get a free train ride out of my trajet in oven-like conditions.
We ran to the metro to make our next train, since this one had been late, under what seemed like the whole city to finally get to the right station. When we arrived at the Gare de Lyon, I didn’t hesitate to put down 3 Euros (a ridiculous theme-park like price) for a bottle of water or pay 50 centimes to use the restroom. At this point, I just stopped caring. I couldn’t care if I tried.
Oh, the day was not over yet. The night was young my friend…so our next train was 2 hours late as well. What was up with France today? This was getting ridiculous. Thankfully, this meant that we had time to cool off before boarding the TGV back to Avignon.
Finally the TGV arrived, and had working air! Hallelujah! But, I was in a different voiture than the others, so I took my assigned seat next to a man who smelled like cheese with a crying baby in his arms. This was just not my day.
I didn’t sleep a wink during the 3 hour ride (it was longer, because there were complications…luck was not exactly on my side, was it?).
After what seemed like years later, we pulled into the Avignon TGV, nearing midnight, only to discover that the line for the taxis was too long, so we had to wait for the Navette to the Gare Centre just outside the ramparts. We waited for another 30 minutes to get on, and another 20 after that to finally get moving. I wanted my bed so badly. When we arrived at the gare, feeling nauseous, I slug my backpack over my shoulder and began to make my 10 minute walk home. New longest day of my life.
Even though we had all these complications, I wouldn’t trade this day for anything. There is always good that comes out of every bad situation. Sometimes you just have to look hard enough to find it. I’ve said it once, but I’ll say it a thousand times more, everything is a learning experience. When I come home, I know I am going to be more patient. I would like to think that I have changed over here for the better (I’ve had people on the trip tell me so). But in reality, we all have. We’ve all changed or improved something about ourselves and learned to look at things from a different perspective. That’s one of the many countless joys of studying abroad! Not only do you have a blast while learning about another language and culture, you learn things about yourself as well. Thank you, God, Mom, Dad, Christophe, everyone, for this life-changing experience!
If you are even thinking of studying abroad, I have one word of advice for you: GO!
You won’t regret it.