Arrival/Day 1

Whoa today/yesterday has been wicked long. It's kind of a blur now, but I am in Kersten's tshirt and my yoga pants since my luggage is having fun sight seeing Europe when I'd really like it to be here in Angers. 

I have been pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the French people, especially the men, as Kerst and I struggled to lug her crazy heavy suitcases around France all day. At one point we were laughing so hard at our struggle going up the stairs that a man came up to me and in a thick accent asked if I needed assistance. Boy did I look like I needed assistance but I politely declined. Another time when exiting the train the steps are rather steep and jkro almost face planted on the track in St. Pierre because i got balled up trying to exit the train quickly. Just barely caught myself while a guy nearby chuckled - i would've done the same. 

Kerst and I explored around the city, picked up a few things, and Sarah (another UD student and coincidentally one of my suitemates) joined us for dinner and the fastest shopping spree I've ever had. Grabbed what thought looked like a pair of jeans that might fit and found my favorite french quote on a shirt "la vie est fait de petits bonheurs" and so I swiped that up as they were turning the lights off in the store in order to have something to wear at orientation bright and early in the morning. I have had countless people say how tired i look so they can only imagine how tired i am feeling. lost my luggage, shuffled from train to train, got poured on, explored a small portion of Angers, ate some yummy food, did a shopping mad dash, treated myself to une verre du vin (glass of wine) and took a shower so it's been quite the day. called an adventure for a reason, right?

cheers, jkro