Im in France?

Bonjour, tout le monde!

Against all odds, I am in Lure, France as we speak. I had this great idea that I would describe, in painstaking detail all the trials and tribulations that I went through to get here but, not surprisingly, I am too worn out to do so. Instead, a recap:

Arrived at JFK to the most stressful terminal I have ever witnessed. There were hundreds (no exaggeration) of people trying to get checked in, their bags checked, etc etc etc. After spending 1.5 hours in line to get my bags checked (bags that the man was SURE were going to Paris), I got into line with everyone else to funnel through a security check that had one, yes just one, functioning checkpoint. After arriving 2.5 hours early for my flight, I found myself at the gate with a mere fifteen minutes to spare, already boarding. I thought that was the end of the sweaty, stressful traveling story. I ate some trail mix.

Little did I know it was just the beginning. To summarize: my bags were left in Dublin, I had to go through Irish customs two different times, I had to go to three different people to get a metro ticket in Paris, I missed my train to Lure by one minute after literally running from one train station to another, my bags will take three days to be delivered, I havent been able to check my email or anything like that.

In short, its been an adventure.

Well, you know I dont like being so negative, butI had to blurt all that out so someone, somewhere, may feel sorry for me, and nowI can move on.

My french is rusty, but two people have told me I speak very well (I think theyre surprised an American can speak French at all). The high school where I work is very big, almost as big as Kenyon. It has automatic doors and is filled with students who smoke outside and always seem to be the perfect amount of bored.

I have managed to find the most important store yet, the store that makes all my travel problems disappear: Le Fromagerie (The Cheese-ery). After I got a lot of brie for a mere 2 euros, all the stress melted away. I had a croissant, some brie, and an apple for dinner. Mmmm.

So I hope hope hope my bags arrive today, and I can change out of the clothes Ive been wearing now for four days. If not, cest la vie I guess.

I miss everyone, and I hope all is well. I would love to hear how fall is starting out...

Writing a blog feels weirdlyself involved, but its the easiest way to update the most people at one time. I hope youll check back and see if my life in France goes more smoothly from here on out. Im pretty sure it has to.

à la prochaine,
Sam