Train Travel: Blessing, The Drunk, and The Punk

Last night I boarded an overnight train "hotel" so I could wake up in Paris (and because it was my only option)! Being the early bird I am I found my way over to the station early to make sure I didn't miss it which resulted in hanging out in a train station for four hours. We boarded the train at 7 and I was the first to arrive in my room/box/cubby hole. Soon after three ther women entered: Blessing, The Drunk, and The Punk. Drunk and Punk we traveling with men in the box next door so they put theor bags up and headed their respective directions: to the bar and to go make out and play cards next door.

After a prolonged period of silence, which I was quite comfortable with as I watched movies, we started to talk. Oddly enough, my video camera (lil' flipper is his name) was the ice breaker. Yay techno geeks! We talked about life(she told me I should start thinking about having a child because everyone should try and have at least one; I am constantly reminded that I am no longer student aged), family (the first time I got to whip out my pictures!!), religion (Blessing: "Which side do you choose: Christian or Muslim?" Me:"I think thy both have issues!!"), and why she didn't like Madrid (boring, small, hot). Blessing, this is her actual name, was born in Nigeria, andmoved to Paris when she was very young. She's 23 and has that early 20's aura of having figured everything out, having her life plan together, and convinced it will happen. It was fun to talk life with someone from a completely different background but still find similarities.

One shocker for me: she's never heard of California. Knows where the US is and has heard of New York but that's it. It was eye-opening for my provencial little mind!! Also, she had almods for the first time(thanks Ma!) as we shared snacks in the train. In case you were wondering, she like them...a lot. I almost gave her her own bag so she would stop eating all mine!! ;)

Later the Drunk (her name is pretty obvious right?) came back as the beds went down. We didn't see the Punk (dresses like a punk rocker) until early in the a.m. I had a difficult time sleeping between the noise, movement, and nerves but it was much more comfortable than sitting upright all night! I arrived in Paris at 9 am this morning excited, tired, and slightly lost. Don't worry though, the lost part didn't last long, but today's adventure isn't over so it will have to wait for my next blog.
:) B