“and so it begins”

My Paris Adventure

Well this story really starts before I arrive in Paris.  The trip had been nearly a year in the planning.  I was going to Paris to take a photography class and it took that long for me to secure an opening in a class.  I made good use of my time however, I read about French culture and also took a French language class.   I consider it a sign of respect to be able to speak a little of the native language of the country you are about to visit.  I also spent a great deal of time researching a truly French wardrobe and had the best time shopping for everything I needed.  Who knew you could pack so light.

A couple months before we were to leave my girlfriend and fellow photographer had to cancel due to a illness in her family.   That meant that I was traveling alone.  Now I have done tons of domestic US traveling alone but I had never traveled internationally alone.  To say I was anxious was an understatement.  I was petrified.  All the what ifs started to swirl in my head.  What if the weather is bad in Minneapolis and I miss my connecting flight, what if I can’t figure out the airport signs when I get there, what if I can’t get through the passport check in time, what if, what if, what if.  Just when I would get it all sorted out in my mind, back again it would come.  Boy it was going to be a long couple of months.

Now, nothing was going to stop me from taking this trip so I told myself it will be fine for the hundredth time, put on my Big Girl Pants and went.  Turns out, I had been pretty right-on with my fears.  Our flight out of Minneapolis was delayed, I nearly missed my connecting flight because the airport was to slow getting us through the passport check.  I literally ran through the airport with my backpack containing my camera equipment and a few extra pairs of shoes (which I truly regretted packing at that point).  I arrived at the assigned gate 5 minutes after the departure time only to learn I had to get on a bus that would take me to the alternative gate. What you mean the plane hasn’t left? No there were other passengers on other planes that were also late and they waited for us.  Oh Happy Day, I made it after all.  My heart pounding and in serious need of caffeine, I jumped on the bus and made that connecting flight to Paris.   As the plane taxied down the runway and I began to breathe normally, I thought “wonder what the return flight will be like”?