Last day in Paris

2-2-2009

Cate and I woke late. It's snowing outside. This made the day more difficult, but it was neat to see snow in Paris. We planned to wake up early to maximize our time today. We had planned to go to an antique market and Musee d'Orsay, the museum where all the Monet and Manet paintings are located. We didn't wake up until 10/10:30. We ate quickly, packed our bags and headed to the train station. We were going to store our bags at the train station and pick them up at the end of the day. We found the bag check and shared a locker.

We arrived at the market. It was terrible and this part of Paris was not that good. There were hardly any vendors at all, probably because of the snow. It was a gross day. I hate snow! I was running out of euros. I had my Visa card, but did not want to use it because of the fees and exchange rate. So, I ate lunch at McDonald's. I had a terrible cheeseburger, but it only cost one euro 90. Cate ate a panini. She did not want McDonald's. Who can blame her? McDonald's is pretty gross.

After lunch, I decided I would opt out of Musee d'Orsay because of my money dilemma. I don't think Caitlin minded much because she had already been to this museum during her previous trip to Paris. We took the metro to a popular location in the city and walked around. I was not a good travel buddy today. I am sick, really not feeling well. I was trying my hardest to have high spirits and push through. My shoes were soaking wet from the snow and the water was seeping through to my socks. MISERABLE. I just wanted to get out of the snow, but I knew Caitin did not want to waste her last hours in Paris. We decided we would look for an Internet cafe.

We asked almost everyone the location of a nearby Internet cafe. Everyone pointed us in a different direction. We were getting frustrated. I found a shoe store and decided I needed to buy some wellies because wet feet are just not okay. Luckily they had some rain boots in my size. I used the Visa. So glad, though. I was much better after I had the wellies. Cate bought a nutella crepe while I was in the shoe store and she found the Internet cafe. Our luck was changing.

We spent an hour in the cafe. I chatted with Nick online and she finished her homework. I was so glad that she was able to get her assignments done. I know it must be really hard to be traveling and trying to go to school at the same time. I'm pretty impressed that she is able to pull it off. I would probably flunk all my classes. I had just enough euros left to pay for the hour at the cafe and buy a sprite. Perfect.

We left the cafe and headed to the train station. Things got very stressful. We got to the station where we checked our bags. I was sure I was going to miss my bus. Trying to keep my cool. Cate had to be at her train at 5:45. It was 5:10. The train station was huge and we could not find the bag check.

At the station, Cate got really mad at me. We were discussing how I would get to the Port Maillot stop, where I would have to catch my bus. I knew the way there. I had to take line one to Port Maillot. I told this to Cate and she said, "No." I was sure I was right, so I said, "Yes. That's what I have to do." She pulled out the map. We were losing valuable time. She was sure I was wrong. I don't know why. She finally agreed with me. She said, "Yeah. You're right." And I replied, "Yeah. I know I'm right." I didn't care who was right or wrong, I just desperately did not want to miss my bus.

When I said that I knew I was right, Caitlin got really offended. I honestly did not think I was being rude. I did not mean to offend her at all. She flung the map at me and said, "OK, you're on your own." She darted off. I had to chase after her. She had the ticket to my bag check. I said, "Cate, I did not mean to offend you. I don't know why you are taking this so personally." I tried to apologize, but this just made things worse. I felt so sad. I'm still really upset about this. She said, "I have been so nice to you. That is not how you should treat someone you just met." Well, I felt the same way about how she was treating me. She said I was being rude. I told her she was being rude too and it takes two to fight. I should have just shut up. This is such a silly reason to be mad. I really don't understand. She won't accept my apology and she refuses to apologize herself. Did she want me to pretend I wasn't sure of the way? I didn't know it meant that much to her. I am really confused.

We finally found the bag check. It was 5:20. I was surely going to miss my bus. I ran to line one. I had to ride this line for 30 minutes to Port Maillot. I finally got there. I was completely depressed. I missed my bus, but luckily there was another one headed for the airport in 15 minutes. My plane did not leave until 8:45, so I knew everything should be okay. It all worked out. I cried the entire way to the airport. What a depressing way to end my trip to Paris. I got to the airport an hour before my plane was supposed to leave.

My flight was delayed until 22:45 because of bad weather, so I waited and waited. I am so sick. Sneezing, coughing, headache, sour throat. I have the flu. I have been through so many tissues. My eyes are watering. I am completely miserable. My plane finally took off at 11 p.m. I arrived in Rome at 1 a.m. I took another shuttle from the Rome airport into the city. I arrived at Termini Station (Rome's main station) at 1:45. I took a taxi from Termini to Camilla's home. I used my Visa again. At this point, I was so miserable and depressed, I didn't even care. The taxi only cost 18 euros.

I arrived home around 2 a.m. I am so sick. I could not sleep. My head aches, my entire body aches. I cough and cough. So miserable. I took a hot shower. This helped clear up my nose so I can breathe. I slept only a few hours. I feel like I am dying.