FINALLY in France!

OH YEAH, we are in France. Finally. On the way to the airport in Toronto Thursday, we were thinking that everything was set. The woman who supposedly booked our flights the night before (Margo-- now known as incompetent customer service woman #3) did not, in fact, actually book our flights. Well, she booked Ashley and Whitney, but not me and Alex... so when we got to the airport, we found this out. Alex nearly had a panic attack. But the woman at the desk was helpful for once, and she booked our flights for us. FOR REAL this time.

So me and Alex were put on standby... ABSURD! Mild freak out. As the plane boarded, we were on the verge of tears... until the very end, when almost everyone had boarded... and they called our names! AND we got seats next to each other. After that, it was smooth sailing until Paris. The flight was great, very comfortable, and I got to watch Avatar.

But the rest of the day was hellish. When we got off the plane, we got all the luggage, then found tickets into Paris. Turns out it was the Metro, which didn't seem too bad (we couldn't find the bus??). We figured out the route OK and got on the right lines, but it was pretty tough lugging our heavy bags up and down and up and down when we had to transfer.

We eventually made it to the Montparnasse station, and after a few hours of waiting in the cold (the station is open to the outside) we got on the high-speed TGV. The problem was that it didn't go all the way to Bordeaux--- the tracks are out there. We had to go to Libourne, then take a BUS to Bordeaux!!! When we got to Bordeaux, we got on our last leg of the trip. Train to Arcachon! AT LAST!!

Since we've been here, it has been busy but amazing. I had to wake up early to do RA stuff--- sitting outside waiting for people to arrive. It was beautiful outside all day, and I actually got a little color! I also had a chance to walk around town (SO CUTE!) and went to the grocery store. The grocery store was fun! I got some tasty cheese, some fresh veggies, fresh bread, olives, classy Hoegaarden in a can, and even soy milk! But I was told that to get tofu, I should go to the next town over where there is an organic market or something. If I have a chance to get there by train or something I will have to check that out!

Right now, we just finished eating group (the whole program together, as an opening dinner) and we are at the internet cafe. A cafe with beer and coffee and free internet, right by our house. It's perfect, and I will probably be here a lot!

On a side note, my french is already improving after talking to the couple that owns/lives at our house and finding my way around.

Next time, I promise to post pics!