I'm in Vienna, Austria, right now. Things somehow always work out. Sometimes stuff sucks. But it pulls together. I don't know about you, dear reader/friend/random person who clicked next on blogspot, but I've gotta say the credit for that one's God's.
For example.
Arrive in Paris by TGV, which was pretty awesome. Had a great nap, sweet tunes, and scenery that looks a bit like the East Coast. Although I did spot a few windmills (a lil bit o' Danmarkkk!) which you wouldn't see. I was at one point prodded with a small electronic device/waker to check my train ticket, but fear not--this meant hapiness in the form of one pan o chocolat (sp?!) that my dear friend KaSachse sent me off with. Nom nom nom! Yes, the couple across from me on the train my have judged me as I indulged...seperating each layer of buttery delicious flakiness until my mouth met that irresistably bitter dark chocolate...but no, it could not stop me. Manage to make it for the AirFrance bus, which should've left already...(maybs this part was more French lack of punctuality than divine intervention..although I was praying for it to wait for me as I hastily approached. I actually ran over a few toes..but luck for my fellow travelers' appendages...I know for a fact that my carry on is under 13 kg...so probs little to no harm done. Here, get helped by super friendly French drivers that are convinced that I speak their language, or just very stubborn. I will assume the former. Get spoken to in French and smile. (A la Boulongere (I'm sorry for spelling errors, but I am in Vienna, so googling other than in German is NOT an option/I'm too lazY? to check it) the counter woman thought I was just a terribly stupid French institute student.)--I will let this go because her quiche lorraine was one of the most delightful things I have ever let enter my mouth)
[ {: sorry I'm getting so liberal with my use and lack thereof of (()) 's }]
Anyway, in the AirFrance bus I arrived JUST in the knick of time to catch the shuttle to Terminal 3 and then catch my shuttle to my NIKKI air plane (not a bad flight---other than the WAILING baby in front of me...made up for by the fact that they gave us not one...but TWO drinks and a choice of what they termed meatloaf (actually, my Viennese friend-that is a piece of bread and a few slices of roast beef, and 'ricotta'--more dense bread and a generous spread of flavorless cheese. It sounds like I'm complaining but I was expecting nurfin, so I was all too pleased).
Made it to the Vienna airport, where the double arches, for the first time not only in Europe, but in about the past 2 years, were too much for me to handle. I stopped in for a Happy Meal...they gave me the boy's Tin Tin toy (which I am vur excited to see, mind you--sorry Kate's host mom Annie---I know you hardly gave raving reviews but the Danes love this cartoon and I love me some Danes so---) and the counter man made the hamburger maker man (technical terms here) come out to see me...an American. He posed the question, "You are United" which I asked him to repeat...and then took to understand as You are from the United States? "Yes, sheepish smile, sorry for fulfilling EVERY stereotype you had in mind...but at least I knew my Euro denominations well enough at this point not to fumble through paying.
So here I sit...in one verrrry luxurious lime green chair, stalling for the 20 minutes until I meet my DIS friends at a bust stop in downtown Vienna. Another random fact ... Nikki lets you check a bag for free! Just trying to offer you valuable advice on otherwise unknown airlines. I'm a fan. The stewardesses also wear these ridiculous hot pink hats somewhere between a beret and a Fedora. I literally had to stifle my laughter as they welcomed me. Pretty sure they know they look kinda stupid, because as soon as the captain was out of sight they ditched those little caps.
Other highlights? You still want more? Okay, only because I charged my laptop battery (reformed lady) and still have 20 minutes to kill. This is what I typed up on my iPod while in transit...something I'm getting pretty into here lately (three notes created JUST today...one of them entitled CHRISTMAS!!!---so let me know if you're looking for something special to appear in your stocking this year---apparently the Danish zeal for 'Jule' has bitten me.)
-The French say 'voila' ALOT
-I got to ride in the 'bulkhead' on the airfrance bus. Love me some leg room.
-I can recognize the Danes outside of Denmark. Successfully identified one by appearance, then accent, which was confirmed by his request to fly to CPH. Typical Danish response to man speaking French, in the typical straightforward/ironic/sarcastic tone of a Dane--'I don't understand what you're saying' (unacommpanied by smile/giggle)..combine that with what I'm pretty sure was a coat from SAND (danish brand my host mom rockz...and it was a dead giveaway)
-I think my bus driver was listening to Sean Paul in French. I have to look that up cause it was awesome. Although there was also a loop of classical/jazz/and something like cowboy christmas music playing. Surprisingly, this did not make for a bad combination.
-I've left France. here is my list of remarks. take it..or leave it.
+Men: they cat call & tell you you are beautiful. I'm no feminist. This is amusing and fun. Thank you for being more reasonable and reminding me to be intelligent, Kate.
+The white buildings, iron gates, balconies, and cool topiaries and flowers.
+The laid back atmosphere of Tours. Its Friday morning. I'm French. I own a creperie. Should I open it...? Probably not.
+Quiche. Baguette (they really do carry it all the time. Thank you Annie for giving me two pieces every night. Sorry for experiencing this inexplicable growth spurt under your roof!)
+Diary and milk...so rich here!
+Alot more diversity than Denmark.
+/- last but not least...Fritz...the taxodermied elephant that once stomped through the streets of Tours.. And, while it was for some reason, really captivating, that's also pretty freakin weird. Sorry Barnum and Baileys, opinions still out on this one.
-Ich liebe es (inspired by my McDonalds cup...but also how I'm feeling)--
I'm lovin' it,
Elise
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