...because I am in the right city, in the right country, and nothing so far has gone terribly wrong. If you remember the last time I came to this country (France, two years ago) you may also remember that my first day was the opposite of a success. On that first day, I had no place to live and my luggage had been lost and my bank account had been frozen. Today, luckily, involved none of those traumas. However, it was not a day without adventure.
Today started with what is now yesterday, at JFK airport in New York. After waiting on line behind 134120398 people at various AirFrance kiosks, and then behind 130972817 more to get through security, I made it to my gate just as my flight was boarding. As I walked past First Class on my way to the very back of the plane, I noticed the bed-like seats and lots of calm, happy faces. People flying First Class have it made. Meanwhile, in Economy, I was seated next to an aggressive armchair hog who smelled as if she had spilled her perfume on herself rather than spritzing it. I spent the first few hours of the flight watching movies (Bridesmaids, and some weird French movie with an ambiguous ending) and eating airplane food ("Mustard Chicken"?!) Eventually I swaddled myself in an AirFrance blanket, took a deep breath of heavily-perfumed, recirculated air, and tried to get some sleep. No dice. Not a wink. At about the same time I would have been going to bed in New York, I was "waking up" in Paris. And I had another flight to catch. Ouch.
This is where my day went through a "barely successful and potentially horrific" phase. AirFrance told me on several occasions (because I asked many times) that I would not have to go through customs in Paris, but would instead do so upon my arrival at the Bordeaux airport. I was relieved, since our first flight came in late, leaving me only 40 minutes to get to my connecting gate across the airport. Unfortunately, AirFrance's claim that I wouldn't have to go through customs or security before my connecting flight was a work of pure fiction. I ran through the airport, following signs for my gate. These signs brought me to the customs line, which I was told I would have to wait on in order to get to my connecting flight. Then I found myself on a line to get through security. This was all going down AS MY FLIGHT WAS BOARDING. Naturally, I was selected for a "random search" at security, adding extra time and panic to my trek to the right gate. I made it, panting and sweating and ready to cry tears of pure exhaustion, just as they were announcing "Last call for boarding."
I made it to Bordeaux by 9am and had arrived at my hotel by 10. I couldn't check in until 3, though, so I left my luggage and set out to explore the city. I bought the essentials while I was out (cell phone, hair dryer and straightener) and spent most of my 5 free hours people-watching and counting down until nap time. I sat at a cafe, and on a bench, and on the steps of the Grand Theatre. I figured out the tram system. I walked down streets with no plans or directions. I had a map but didn't use it. I wandered. I didn't mind being alone or not knowing exactly where I was. I saw some of Bordeaux and I began to fall in love with it. I am happy and excited to be here, feelings which I imagine will only grow stronger once I actually get some rest. All in all, a successful and promising first day.
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