Je suis ici

So I just landed in Paris two hours ago after a nine hour flight and I am now waiting on a train to Lyon. Everything here is very easy to navigate, and contrary to all the horror stories about the Paris airport, it is not frustrating at all. I am currently waiting, and my train doesn’t leave for another two hours. The good news is that the train is a bullet train and I will arrive on time for dinner. Yes, it is that important. Although I have only been in France for a couple of hours, here are a few points that I noted very quickly.

1. Europeans / Americans all look the same. If your European, sorry. I have had people look at me and say something in French, German, and another language with a glimmer of hope that maybe I am that nationality or I speak that language. Standing in line, I have seen passports from basically every country in Europe and many from the U.S. with no obvious way to tell the difference. Ok, so it’s not 100% true. Once the person gets into their vehicle, you can then distinguish at least the continent.

2. Everyone [whom I’ve spoken with] employed in the Paris airport speaks English but the majority of the signs and instructions are in French only. Maybe this is to employ more policeman / workers? Or maybe it is to get a mindset going that you need to at least try to learn the language? Regardless of the reason, it is very obvious very quickly.

3. NO CUSTOMS?!!? On the plane I was not given a customs paper or information card questioning my length of stay, my purpose, my whereabouts, or anything. I asked the flight attendant and he responded with, “Don’t worry about it”. Ok, so very quickly off the plane and before picking up my bags I had a guy take a stamp and without looking at my face, stamp my passport and say next. I then expected a customs agent at some point to check my passport or at least ask me if I am a dangerous person or not. I retrieved my bags, walked upstairs to the train station where I am now, and am looking at Paris right outside… I mean, I know the U.S. may overdo it with all the questioning and relentless passport to face matching, but I actually had more security checks crossing from El Salvador to Guatemala on a bus… Much more.

As I notice more interesting things I will let you know. Right now I am going to stroll over to a restaurant aptly named “Sandwích” and explore their broad menu before boarding my train to Lyon. Hope everyone is having a great summer so far and you can expect to hear from me probably every other week, depending on how eventful my late evenings are. If you don’t hear from me in my promised time frame, don’t fret, and please don’t call the French police (I don’t even think they know I’m here). I figure here are the possibilities:

- I couldn’t charge my laptop because of the odd voltage adapters. Quick side note: There are “European” plugs, and then there are “French and German” plugs? They appear very similar, but in fact they are different. Since when did those two start doing things exclusively? Other than war of course.

- I’m lost.

Or

- I forgot (Not signifying my lack of care, but instead my lack of time outside of work/responsibilities/exploration of European culture).

Ok! Any prayers would be appreciated and useful (Exchange rate is 1 to 1). Thanks for reading!

A Bientôt