The Chunnel

The Box

     So, here I am sitting in the Chunnel. Yep, I'm under the English Channel as I type this. Of course I don't have internet access now but I'll just copy this blog once I have access. We drove the coach bus into this train car and the train is bussing us through the chunnel. We were allowed to get out and I was the first one out wandering around. I can't believe I'm underground below the water.

     Best moment of leaving London-there was a sign.. a big, blue sign, that said FRANCE --->. It made me laugh because normally the sign would say a city and then the distance to it, but no, this sign just said France and had an arrow pointing to the right. Apparently the country of France is to my right. The police just took my passport. I know I'm legit, but it still freaks me out. They didn't check baggage like they normally do (or so I'm told), so I hope no one's carrying a gun. I keep talking (yes, I know I talk too much), and I would probably be the likely first target.

Inside The Box

     I'm on my way to Paris if you didn't know. I was a bit overwhelmed because of the language barrier and such but the guy sitting next to me is really nice and we're going to get coffee when we get there (at 7:30am) and then he's going to show me how to get to Montmarte area to where I'm staying. He also offered to go on a day trip to the West coast because apparently the villages are so incredibly photogenic. It's like a photographer's paradise. I like the sound of that. He's driving to Switzerland on Monday and that was supposed to be one of my stops. Again, more photogenic places. I'm going to go bloody mad if I can't take pictures of the Alps.

     So, now I'm back on the bus typing this before I sleep until dawn. I'm going to be exhausted, but I want to see the country of France before hitting the city of Paris itself so I'm going to wake up at sunrise. The hustle and bustle of the big cities is interesting but I honestly miss the laid back nature of being in the middle of nowhere. I just got my passport back. I didn't even get a damn stamp. Customs didn't try to send me back to the states like the bloody UK did. Apparently they thought I was immigrating since I didn't have a ticket out of England. I don't have a ticket out of France either but they didn't check. I don't think they really cared.

Danielle-proof doors

     My last night in London was an absolute blast. Everything that went wrong did, yet we still had a fantastic time. The pub we went to (they stay open til 3:30am!) had a piano and a guy playing and singing American classic songs so we were all joining in and drinking and dancing. I've never had an experience like that and I can honestly say that was one of the best nights of my life. I was surrounded by newly made friends and an amazing host. The sun rose at 4:30am, which completely blew my mind.

World's worst bathroom in The Box

     My hosts so far have been more hospitable than I could have ever asked for. A well balanced mixture of politeness, concern, and making sure I was having a good time. I met a Kiwi last night at the pub with an amazing accent and he called me “indifferent”, which bothered me a little. I'm the kind of person who tends to be either “liked” or “disliked” and the latter is rare. I've never had someone feel “indifferent” about me and this intrigued me. It also helped that he was cute as a button. Too bad I have this crazy mess going on back home with a guy. Who likes me and I like him, yet he doesn't want to date. So this makes me feel like I can still go out and see other people because I'm not tied down. If I were tied down in a relationship, I would have no desire to hunt out these bloody amazing men with accents. Oh well, the ball is in his court. He'll speak up about it if he really cares.

     Anyways, on a lighter note this couch surfing project is ingenious. We went to a picnic today as a going away for one of the surfers from Argentina so a lot of hosts and other travelers were there. I got to play frisbee and teach some Britain-ers the American way of playing frisbee and different throwing techniques. We played a point game and I won so I got championship hugs. I was able to meet some great people and even though I was only in London for 10 days, I feel as if I have already made some lasting friendships. I have decided that for my break this summer, I'm flying back up to London for four days. I can't imagine not being able to go back for a long time. I really hope my trip keeps improving and going smoothly. I love meeting all of these new people. I just wish I had more internet access.