Nimes to London

So Julie and Patrice woke up and we had a quick breakfast. I was told we needed to leave at 7 and was ready. I was concerned when nobody was stirring at 6:30,6:45…I started to make some noise. They were both up at 7 and it turns out Patrice said 7 since Julie is always late, but we really needed to leave at 7:20, he is so clever.

I made it to the airport and they walked me in. We saw a scale and checked the weight of my luggage. Usually I have no problems with this but between the Pitanque balls, my cicada and my bottle of olive oil…my bag was heavy. Patrice picked it up last night and said it felt about 17/18 and I needed it to be 15. I made some adjustments and this morning he said that it was better (of course) but he did not seem like it was okay. We checked on the scale and he was right…I was over. I got my weight to 15.8 and it was good. My book bag was stuffed and super heavy. I had problems closing it as the zipper is not working and with all of the stuff, it was a lot. Anyway, I got it shut and we said our goodbyes with hope that I would not have to open my bag.

Of course I had to open my bag though to take out my laptop. I did it with ease. The guy at the x-ray machine had a question about my cicada and I had to take that out…it was at the bottom of my book bag. I took it out and the two people at the x-ray machine admired how beautiful it was. Then they proceeded to make cicada sounds while I repacked my bag. They lady said “we made you mess it all up.” I just smiled and worked the broken zippers, the lady helped me; she was so nice! I was glad that nobody was behind me and when it was all done she said “For Christmas bring another bag.” I thanked her and went onto the gate.

My plane was 1 hour late. People were upset but I was happy since it was the last flight I know of that left for London. The rest were cancelled due to the strike. Be as late as you want plane…as long as I get there today! The plane came and we all boarded. At immigration I took a long time. I guess I had my head down when they passed out immigration cards and so I needed to do that. I grabbed my passport with ease but where was I staying?! Oh snap…I have the name and address of the hostel but in my bag. I had to unpack it and repack it again.

I walked to baggage claim and was unsure where to go. Some guy who worked there looked at me and said “Nimes?” I thought it was a funny question as he asked me, I guess it was because of the look on my face but I said yes and he pointed to my luggage. It was the only luggage left in one area…of course! I grabbed my bag and headed to the chairs. I decided that I should get some pounds and I am glad that I did! I had to take a bus, then a train, then the underground. Everyone was very nice though and told me what I needed to do as I had done no research and had no idea where I needed to go.

I made it to the hostel and checked in. I then found a bank, grabbed a hotdog from a street vendor and walked around. I headed back to the hostel and met a second roommate (the first was Connie, from Japan) and this was Jefferson (from Brazil). We went out to dinner at an Italian restaurant, splitting a pizza with anchovies, capers and olives and a salad. We both picked off the anchovies. After great conversation we headed back and I met my final roommate. He is from France and older and I am not a fan. He basically told me that I should have gone to other places like Spain and Morocco and that I should go to Greece. He also told me that I should be prepared to be bombed when I go to Israel. He went on telling me about how there are two kinds of “Isralians” those who are open minded and love diversity and those who are the complete opposite. There is no middle ground. He then told me how he is moving from New Zealand to London and looking for a flat before his wife and (soon to be child) come.

I am all about people doing and seeing what they want. If I am happy then don’t tell me that that I should have seen other things. Plus, who the heck says to watch out for being bombed when I am planning to go somewhere? Just rude. I made it clear with my lack of conversation after that, that I did not want to talk and he left. I was happy to see him leave and plan to be asleep when he comes back.