Finally on the farm!

On Friday at around 2pm, I finally arrived at the farm. Here is the story...

The plane ride from Dulles to London Heathrow was very smooth, except for the baby constantly crying in the seat behind me and the overhead light that kept turning on randomly while I was trying to sleep, urgh. But I just kept thinking about the happy smile of my family who all drove to the airport with me to drop me off! Thanks guys!

Once at Heathrow, I took the Underground subway system to an international train station where I bought my train tickets from London to Paris, and then Paris to Nimes. I also bought my tickets for the way back in July, getting a cheaper price, which is key since the dollar is doing bad all over Europe.

The trains were very nice. I got so sleepy on them and was able to catch up on ky lack of sleep. I also met lots of Americans who I talked with a lot. Some from South Carolina and some from Wisconsin. None of them really spoke any French, which probably was very difficult since I realized that so many of the French really do not speak any English!

I arrived at Nimes very late at around 8:15pm. All of the ticket offices were closed and no more buses were really running. I needed to take a bus to smaller village, where the family was to pick me up. The transportation workers were on strike, too, which helped explain why traveling took all day and offices were closed. So a man working at the Nimes train station garage used his cell phone to call my farming family. I was told to go with one of the daughters, who was already staying in Nimes for school and would come get me from the station. We stayed at the apartment of a family friend. She was very nice and told me to take a nice, hot shower. She spoke some English, which she learned mostly from watching American TV. She really likes the show House, hehe!

In the morning, she gave me breakfast, drove me to the train station, and lended me Euros for the bus since the bank where we stopped to get some had an ATM that would not accept my bankcard. She took care of me very well!

The bus ride was beautiful. There are a lot of vineyards here, some olive trees, and some cows. A lot of kids were on the bus. They seem to go to school in Nimes, staying with friends or sharing apartments, and then return to their home villages for the weekend. This is what the daughter does, too.

I am at the farm now where I will be for the next two months. I am using their computer, so I do not know if I will be able to load any photos. I hope so! The train stations are gorgeous, as well as the countryside. I will write more about the farm later. I got to see the sheep already and taste fresh, sweet strawberries! I am excited for tomorrow because the father, Chérif, is going to the market. I hope to go with him. Talk to you all soon. Enjoy the beginning of your lovely Memorial Day Weekends!

Awaiting Departure

Wow, I ought to be taking off from US soil in 6.5 hours. Craziness!!! Before that happens, though, I need to finish packing, haha. I really need to get the baggage requirements figured out, too, which can be so confusing. There are some positives now as well: I will be blow-drying my hair for the last time for a while and promising myself that wearing old clothes while in France means that I get to go on a shopping spree when I return!!!

I am feeling anxious and ready to learn, but also with butterflies in my stomach because I don't know what to expect exactly or how the train rides from London Heathrow airport to Nimes will go. I guess I'll just go with the flow. Being on French soil ought make me smile anyway, just to see fields of sunflowers and lavender.

Peace out, everyone. Talk to you in a few days from l'hexagon (France, they're a shape, hehe)!!!