December 20, 2009
We are on our second day in the train station. They aren't letting any trains out because 6 have gotten stuck in the chunnel. We are in the same cafe as yesterday, and the manager is very kind to us. I can't help thinking of the day we were supposed to have touring Versailles, the Louvre Palace/Museum, and the Eiffel Tower... we may have to cancel those plans, because it looks like we are only going to have half a day there to explore. But what an adventure we are having! I am wishing and hoping and praying that we can somehow get there with time to tour Paris. We have to get to Paris in order to fly home, and We transfer at Washington DC, which is under record snowfall right now. AH! Wish us luck!! PLEASE!
LATER:
We spent the majority of the day in the same cafe, and every time I went out, I had to bundle up in gloves, hat, and coats. The temperature of the train station was freezing, but after awhile, I had to get up and walk around. Out in the center, I got to know many interesting people from many different places. Two that I especially enjoyed talking to with Joe included a man from London trying to get to Paris to visit family, and a woman from Paris trying to get home from Christmas. We chatted about all sorts of different things like the difference in the places in which we lived, the funny accents (this woman's french accent was beautiful; very elegant and precise). Something that I learned was that although we come from vastly different cultures and societies, we are all people. We go through the same feelings, we hope for the same things, we all think in just about the same way. Of course different people have different opinions, but it was still fun to compare each other's thoughts. I really enjoyed going through the different shops. There were shops that ranged from toys, to chocolate, to CLOTHES! While browsing through Fossil, I met one of there employees; a woman living in London. I told her about my travels, predicament, and worries, and in turn she told me about London, and its great night life. She then asked me my age, expecting me to be around hers of 22. My reply was "uhh, 14." Which was surprising to her. hahaha. Anyway, some news reporters showed up in the afternoon and it was kind of entertaining listening to them, and also fill in on what was happening in the outside world. A brass band showed up and played beloved Christmas carols which seemed to lighten the darkened mood.
While I was waiting out with Joe, we heard a Eurostar representative come out and explain to everyone the plan. We would be loaded onto trains to be taken to Dover, an English city on the southern tip, and then loaded on a ferry, then buses to get to Paris. People madly rushed to board these trains, and after alerting Coryell, we grabbed our trolleys, the kids, and anything else that was ours, and literally ran to the train. That was extremely nerve racking to have so many children and so much luggage and running to a train that will leave in two minutes. We threw all the bags in and then relaxed while the train took us to Dover. The view outside was picturesque with freshly fallen snow reflecting the sun over birch trees and forests. The homes we passed were all authentic brick, and reminded me of Mary Poppins. We finally made it to the train station, and even caught a glimpse of the White Cliffs of Dover. A sight I'm sure would have been much more pleasant in any other circumstance.
Well, the next few hours would be the toughest, coldest, and most trying of any other journey I had endured. We each grabbed and lugged two big bags, and then made our way to the buses. After waiting with hundreds of other people, we were tired.
Since no one had fully explained how we'd get on the ferry or if these buses would take us all the way to Paris, or if we'd be loaded into different ones. So, Joe, trying to make us the most comfortable, called a cab to take us down to the ferry. The cab driver drove us the quick 5 minute drive, and then when he got an offer from someone else, he ripped us off and dumped us on the curb. Joe tried to find someone from Eurostar in the huge crowds, but we soon realized, the buses we just left were our only ticket to Paris. So, we loaded back onto a cab, and then drove back to the buses to wait in line. We found another French man and his wife and son in the same predicament. With them, we waited in line until dark when the buses were slowly being filled in freezing conditions lugging two bags, and comforting the younger ones who were doing very well. The gravel made it very difficult to wheel these bags, but with a few prayers, we did it.
Joe and this man spoke to a Eurostar personnel who gave us priority boarding since we had children. I was unbelievably relieved to have our well-being secured, and be seated in a warm bus with all the luggage stored below. The bus ride onto the ferry went smoothly and although I couldn't sleep, I did relax. There was a nice Asian woman from France whom we talked to, telling her about America, and how beautiful it was. She didn't quite believe us, but it was still fun to chat. We finally made it to Paris! *sigh* what an adventure it had been. The time was about 3 am, and we found a cab that took us to our hotel we had previously booked. My first glimpse of Paris surprised me. It was much like Rome in many aspects, like the cobblestone streets, tall stone buildings, and shops, but it had its own personality. I couldn't wait till morning...
