Long Time Coming

It’s official. I have arrived in Paris and I am waiting for the TGV to Montpellier.  Although the trip started out with a huge dose of stress, it now seems very doable.  On arrival at the airport I was told that my flight from home to Detroit was delayed which would make me completely miss my flight to France. Upon hearing this delightful information my stomach started knotting. I had to get to France so that I can get into my room in Montpellier. 

Well the nice Delta employee found another option for me and it turned out to be a much nicer one than my first. I would fly to Atlanta and then take a flight to France. But, I would get to ride in Business Class. Wow. Life changer. Those seats lie back. I slept a lot more than I would have been able to in coach. 

I also really enjoyed comparing the complementary things that Air France and Korean Air gives you on the long international flights. On my Korean air flight they gave the passengers slippers and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Air France on the other hand gave us socks (they were hideous brown things), an anti-wrinkle cream, a shoehorn, a small comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, and earplugs. I wonder if the difference lies in the change from economy to business class…. That curtain separating the two sections of the plane brings amazing benefits to those in business class.

I have finally reached Montpellier. My train was an hour and thirty minutes late so they are going to repay me the time spent waiting. Awesome? Why yes it is. My first night I stayed in a hotel, which was nice but didn’t have any bells and whistles. This morning I came to the Protestant School of Theology and am now officially installed in my French digs. I really like my room. It is small and cell like but the bed is pretty comfortable and there is a private bathroom attached to it. It looks very European and not much like my dorm rooms in the U.S. except for the Spartan furnishings.

It is interesting how the school sets up the kitchen. It is somewhat industrial and there are lockers for everyone to store their food and anything else they need to produce a meal. There are three refrigerators and in each one the number of the bedroom is on a little plastic tub for people to store their perishables in. The grounds of the school of Theology are very nice. There is a small garden where we can eat if we so choose and there is a library where we can work if we want. Also there are a couple of recreation rooms which although slightly pathetic and shabby looking I would not hesitate to use in a pinch.

As far as the city itself is concerned I do not think I like it as much as some American cities as far as looks are concerned. But, it does have a charming personality. The city center, according to the guidebook affectionately known as the egg because of it’s shape, is really beautiful. I will explore more and make another report and hopefully have some pictures to share.