Cruel and unusual punishment…..(July 6, 2008)
As I write this I am on the TGV (high-speed train) heading towards Grenoble. I will take this train to Valence, where I will then transfer to an autocar (inter-city bus) to Grenoble. I should arrive about an hour before my classmates. After waking at 4:30 a.m. to escort Mark to the airport, I was quite ready for a good nap on the train. However, my car is filled with what look like 7-8 year old kiddos going to a colonie de vacances (summer camp). At first I thought they were cute, but that didn’t last long. It was touching watching them wave good-bye to their parents and vice versa, but now that we are on our way, they are just normal, hyperactive kids. They tell me that they are going to summer camp (near Toulon, so at least they are getting off) for two weeks. They have been eating, playing with cards and assorted toys, singing songs, and most annoying of all, having contests making farting sounds! Suffice it to say that my noise-canceling headphones were not doing the trick so I decided to try to get some work done. I think are actually coming upon St. Tropez, so I guess I should stay awake! I’m sure I shall survive even this, too!
Later today…..
Once the kids got off the train, I managed a much-needed nap. The train got more and more crowded as it went along…..I don’t know where all of those French people were going, unless that’s the way things are on Sunday in France! Upon arrival in Valence I had about 15 minutes to make my connection to an “autocar” (bus). Thank the Lord for escalators! When I got to the bus, there were obviously too many people trying to get on the bus. The driver doesn’t load luggage, you have to do your own, so of course luggage was just thrown in any old way and there was no more room. I smartly went around to the other side and found a place for my luggage, then went to try to get on the bus. The driver said he had 7 more places, and I was determined that I would be one of them. So I crowded up to the door like a French person, and by golly, I was number 6! (They did have to load another bus, because there were so many people going to Grenoble.)
I arrived at the train station in Grenoble, thinking I was going to find an ATM, get something to eat, have my ID pictures made in a cabine photographique, and wait for the others to arrive. But when I went to the welcome desk for the scholarship teachers and introduced myself, I discovered that my internet-buddy William Gautreaux from New Orleans had also just arrived! We decided to go on to campus and try to check into the dorm rather than wait for the others. So we headed off on the tram, got to campus, found the residence hall, checked in and unpacked. William wanted a nap before eating, so I told him I would do a load of laundry and eat one of my snacks, then we would go eat.
Of course the laundry machines didn’t take coins, and all I had was bills, so I started walking to find a place where I could get change. It had been raining off and on, and while I was walking, this huge, Texas-like thundercloud rolled in, complete with thunder and lightening. I had found a cafeteria where I bought a coke and got change, but had to wait out the storm, which passed quickly. I returned to campus and did my laundry. Then William and I took the tram back into town and found a little restaurant where I had quiche and salad. I was starving!
All I can say is, it feels so good to have my things unpacked. I managed to live rather successfully out of my suitcase, with the help of my e-bag packing cubes, but it is nice to spread things out! The dorm room is quite adequate. William and I asked for rooms with a view, so we are on the 5th floor (no elevator), facing the mountains. Of course, we have to look over a cement plant to see the mountains, but it is still a rather striking view!
They gave us sheets, a blanket, and a roll of toilet tissue. No pillow. I am using the blanket with a t-shirt over it for a pillow. But I have a refrigerator and private bath, so that’s OK. There is a common kitchen on the floor, but it only has “hot plate” type stoves. No ovens or microwaves. And of course, I have no dishes. So I don’t think I’ll be cooking!
All for now…..big day tomorrow!
As I write this I am on the TGV (high-speed train) heading towards Grenoble. I will take this train to Valence, where I will then transfer to an autocar (inter-city bus) to Grenoble. I should arrive about an hour before my classmates. After waking at 4:30 a.m. to escort Mark to the airport, I was quite ready for a good nap on the train. However, my car is filled with what look like 7-8 year old kiddos going to a colonie de vacances (summer camp). At first I thought they were cute, but that didn’t last long. It was touching watching them wave good-bye to their parents and vice versa, but now that we are on our way, they are just normal, hyperactive kids. They tell me that they are going to summer camp (near Toulon, so at least they are getting off) for two weeks. They have been eating, playing with cards and assorted toys, singing songs, and most annoying of all, having contests making farting sounds! Suffice it to say that my noise-canceling headphones were not doing the trick so I decided to try to get some work done. I think are actually coming upon St. Tropez, so I guess I should stay awake! I’m sure I shall survive even this, too!
Later today…..
Once the kids got off the train, I managed a much-needed nap. The train got more and more crowded as it went along…..I don’t know where all of those French people were going, unless that’s the way things are on Sunday in France! Upon arrival in Valence I had about 15 minutes to make my connection to an “autocar” (bus). Thank the Lord for escalators! When I got to the bus, there were obviously too many people trying to get on the bus. The driver doesn’t load luggage, you have to do your own, so of course luggage was just thrown in any old way and there was no more room. I smartly went around to the other side and found a place for my luggage, then went to try to get on the bus. The driver said he had 7 more places, and I was determined that I would be one of them. So I crowded up to the door like a French person, and by golly, I was number 6! (They did have to load another bus, because there were so many people going to Grenoble.)
I arrived at the train station in Grenoble, thinking I was going to find an ATM, get something to eat, have my ID pictures made in a cabine photographique, and wait for the others to arrive. But when I went to the welcome desk for the scholarship teachers and introduced myself, I discovered that my internet-buddy William Gautreaux from New Orleans had also just arrived! We decided to go on to campus and try to check into the dorm rather than wait for the others. So we headed off on the tram, got to campus, found the residence hall, checked in and unpacked. William wanted a nap before eating, so I told him I would do a load of laundry and eat one of my snacks, then we would go eat.
Of course the laundry machines didn’t take coins, and all I had was bills, so I started walking to find a place where I could get change. It had been raining off and on, and while I was walking, this huge, Texas-like thundercloud rolled in, complete with thunder and lightening. I had found a cafeteria where I bought a coke and got change, but had to wait out the storm, which passed quickly. I returned to campus and did my laundry. Then William and I took the tram back into town and found a little restaurant where I had quiche and salad. I was starving!
All I can say is, it feels so good to have my things unpacked. I managed to live rather successfully out of my suitcase, with the help of my e-bag packing cubes, but it is nice to spread things out! The dorm room is quite adequate. William and I asked for rooms with a view, so we are on the 5th floor (no elevator), facing the mountains. Of course, we have to look over a cement plant to see the mountains, but it is still a rather striking view!
They gave us sheets, a blanket, and a roll of toilet tissue. No pillow. I am using the blanket with a t-shirt over it for a pillow. But I have a refrigerator and private bath, so that’s OK. There is a common kitchen on the floor, but it only has “hot plate” type stoves. No ovens or microwaves. And of course, I have no dishes. So I don’t think I’ll be cooking!
All for now…..big day tomorrow!
1 comment:
This is very interesting. I do enjoy your view, and I don't see the cement plant. You are a great photographer.
I laugh at all of "the bag" pics. They are great. Your mom will be proud.
Pam
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