Paris, FINALLY

At about 8:30 am on the 22nd, Julian and I left for the meddy airport. Three flights, 13 hours of lay-over time, 3 changed flights, 5 hours of sleep, 2 airplane ¨meals¨and almost 30 hours later I found myself in CDG. Another 15 minutes and Hugh, the son of a family friend came to get me (thank god, because I would have been SO LOST). About another hour and we emerged in downtown Paris to hordes of attractive young Europeans in dark jackets, smoking ciggerattes and jostling about. It looked like fun until I remembered how tired, hungry, and dirty I was. I smelled like airport, not a good thing.

To quickly explain the story, my first flight was delayed so I missed my two following flights and ended up in Paris about 8 hours later than expected (but atleast I got there). For some reason, the lady at the Medford airport decided to send my bag to Frankfurt as my final destination, but the wonderful people with United were able to stop it in San Fran and reroute it for me. Once I got onto the flight to Munich, things were pretty smooth. I have to admit that I felt pretty out of place whilst waiting to board. First off, I was the youngest female by atleast 10 years, and the only female traveling alone. Secondly, I was holding the only blue USA passport amongst a sea of red ones, and thirdly, after my rediculous morning followed by a 7 hour layover, I really did look like a homeless person.

Last night was a bit rough. I fell asleep for a few hours around midnight, and woke up a few hours ealier. As soon as I woke up, and rolled over to not see Julian beside me, I started bawling. I figured out that since we started being friends in middle school, we have never spent more than a month apart. I am constantly reminded that this trip is going to be one of the hardest things that I do (and not just because I am almost crippled from missing certain people). As is the way with most difficult experiences though, I will learn so much. I know it'll get easier.

Anywho, after I read about 100 pages of "The Dragon Reborn," I finally calmed down enough to fall back asleep. I slept for about 11 hours after that. Now it's 5:30, and I should really try to finish reading, "Men Own the Fields, Women Own the Crops."

Tomorrow I'll leave to catch a train to the airport at about 7am. At 10:30, I'll be off to Cameroon. I really hope I'm ready.

To any friends and family who read this: I love all of you very very much, and I already miss you all dearly. MWAH!