Day 2

(sorry about the delay--just got actual internet this morning)

Day 2
tired of lines. tired of people checking the camera for plastic explosives. tired of going to gate go gate, getting different instructions each time. tired.

Met an awesome Russian named Paul. I shared my gummy bears with him and we hung out while waiting for the plane. Then I had 2 free seats next to me so Paul joined me for the 11 hour flight. we took off the headphones and did commentary to the latest Harry Potter. I dare say it rivaled Wizard People. He's a doom metal guitarist (I seem to have a knack for finding those) who signed with Candelight Records here in the US with his band Forest Stream. He was in San Fran to graduate from his on-line computer animation school. made the flight go buy soo much faster.

I sat across from 2 flight attendants who were very entertaining. one of them has a son in Paris who is a model--just walked the Mylan runway for the new line of the designer who was the head of men's Prada. So now it's six hours in the frankfort airport. then hopefully getting to the school. internet is $12.00 an hour here. I just want to check my e-mail then go to sleep.
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So, Americans have some sort of ability to sense other Americans. Six of us found each other in the Frankfort airport. They are all part of a different program goning to Aix University. You know, the kind that actually care about you. I sat next to Tony, a kid from New York who works with a theatre there. Good times on the plane ride. An 90 minute flight was a piece of cake. For the in-flight snack we had whole grain mini sandwitches with a cream cheese-like spread and onions. Really interesting. And coffee. Mmmmmm.

No one was there to meet me at the airport. Of course. The others all had host families waiting for them. The kids were holding signs with the student's names on them. Soooo cute. Tony's family had to meet him somewhere else because out flight was a little delayed. He asked the two program coordinators who were there if they could help me. He was even willing to ask his own host family if I could stay with them (which dosen't work so well in French culture). The coordinators are wonderful people. They totally went into maternal mode. I said I could just take the train and then a taxi (what Amira suggested) and hope that someone was actually going to be there (like they said). They wouldn't hear it. They didn't want me taking the risk of getting stuck out there and said that a taxi would completely rip me off. After making calls and everything, they decided just to put all my stuff in their car and drive me to the University.

When we got there, no one was there. Of course. Niether lady could find anyone that was able to help. So, when all else fails, go to a bar! They took me to Wohoo Cafe, a sweet little bar in Aix owned by amazing people. The guy stored my luggage in the back and let me use the internet and his phone to contact parents and Shelley. And gave me a free Smirinoff Ice with a glow stick in it. Best place ever. Seriously. Shelley came and we walked to the university with all my luggage. We met her brother (well, like Kurtis brother) half way. Charlie rocks. And not only because he hauled my red 50 pound bag up four flights of stairs. Shelley showed me around the dorm and we hung out awhile. Not exactly sure what else we did. Kind of out of it.

Things I learned:
Dorm toilets have no seats. Perch with caution.
Make your first purchase in Aix toilet paper. There's none of that in the bathroom either.
The showers only stay on for 10 seconds at a time.
The best grocery store is called "Ed" but there is discrepancy on campus. Some say it's pronounced "ed" some say "eday". Pick your side.
The front door of the dorm is locked. But if you just pull it hard enough, it opens.