Flat Tires and First Class

Flying to Paris has been a dream of mine since I was 10. I've been joking with people at Brown telling them this means that this dream is at least 17 years old. It's kind of funny when you tell it to "the kiddos" (Brown undergraduates) and the adults at least my own age who work with them. How Alanis Morrisette, then, (isn't her career around the same age as my dream?) that I went all the way to the plane, arranged my things and myself, and made friends with my seatmate when the plane got a flat tire. Trumpet fanfare.
I guess I never really thought I'd have to evacuate a plane because of a flat tire. But I did, and so did everyone else. I thought, "This should be no big deal, right? They'll just call AAA or whatever..." So, I got a beer with my new, fellow travel reject and waited until it was time to reboard.
1 beer later, the flight got canceled. Shit.
But not to worry! Those of you who know I'm right now in Paris know that it worked out alright. I guess the rest of you now know that, too. Haha.
Here is a photo of the friend of a friend's place at which I stayed (I was kind of stuck...thanks Jacob for calling your Harvard boi, Andres. Oh, and thanks Andres for the hospitality!)
The next day, Andres took me to dim sum at this place in Boston's Chinatown that was once a very fabulous theatre (it was my treat, of course).
I spent the rest of the day at South Station because it was warm, the Silver Line was right there (it goes direct to Logan Int'l in 10 min.), and the internet was free. After I arrived at the airport, I went directly through security (1. because it wasn't crowded, and 2. because I was already checked in from my reroute the day prior). AND THEN I made a beeline for the US Airways first class lounge with my first class ticket to Paris!I guess my soothing voice and charming wit worked with the check-in agents the night before. "This is the only way to travel for the broke/charming!" I thought. Too bad I was only there long enough to suck down 2 glasses of white and suspend my contract with AT&T.
The flight was great--I slept flat on a plane for the first time ever. And yes, I did use my complimentary toothbrush and sleeping mask. Nobody talked to anyone, and no babies were crying, which was really enough for me -)
When I landed, my friend Aurélie picked me up and introduced me to the speed life of Paris by taking me first to her place to drop of my bags (she lives near the Arc de Triomphe ...uh, wow) and then directly to a brunch with her friends. After about an hour and a half, I used the Passe Navigo that I bought at the airport to take the Metro home for a nap, and I felt good about being able to find my way in a strange, new city.
I know I'm a little behind in my posting, but don't worry--I've got lots to tell and ça arrive! I'll leave you with some images I saw through my sleepy eyes my first day or so in Paris. It does seem kind of like a dream...

At Charles de Gaulle: Aurélie with my bags and first croissant in France.


You know, rolling across the Champs-Élysées to get home.


Incredibly, I pass this everyday to get to the Metro.


Zoom, zoom...and fade to gray.