They Can Take Your Money, But They Can't Take Your Attitude

Paris was such an unexpected adventure.  I left with the intentions of only staying two days at a friends flat and ended up staying for four!  I have had many a crazy travel shenanigan in my day but nothing compared to what this past weekend had in store for me.  It all started in India where I met Solen(see   India Part I), we had such a fab time on our trip and hanging out we both invited each other to visit any time.  So my first free weekend I booked a trip out to Paris to visit!  I planned a short stay friday night through Sunday afternoon, just expecting Solen to show me a couple thing but thinking I would be trekking out on my own for the most part.  I was so wrong, not only did she show me around, introduce me to the locals and show me the inner workings of Paris but when tragic circumstances struck she saved my life quite literally.  My trip was mind blowing and I owe it to Solen for showing me all that she did.  

India: Part I - Epic Pizza Delivery

As I sit in my room in Florence, I think back to how all the events unfolded to create my trip to India.  Where do I even start?  Do I start in September when Robin Joking mention me visiting?  DO I start with crazy visits and running around New York with my mom and sister?  Or does the adventure really start when I get off the plane.  I believe that adventure is in the eyes of the beholder.  I had cleaned out my fridge, picked up such essentials as pro-biotics, a multitude of drugs, a new bag that I wouldn't mind sacrificing to India and other such wonderful trinkets.  The one thing I did pick up was some good old fashioned Italian Pizza.  I was ready to go.

Fresh to Death

We had to run.  No matter how early we ever try to leave for the train it always seems like I am running for a train.   Fortunetly, we did make it just in time with some tag teaming, one person parking and one getting the tickets, but we made it on the train which was the important part.  Anyway, every seat was full, of course, so we walked down the train until we found three seats in a car.  I sat down next to what was I later figured out was two girls pre-raging for their birthday, on the 12 pm train into Manhattan.  Now, I have absolutely nothing against day drinking, and I really can nothing bad about day drinking in strange places (the weirder the better), but Budlight lime?  Really?  That's where I draw the line.  Have some class ladies. 

After these messages we’ll be riiiighht back

Ok.  Remember when I said “so long as I have my credit card, my few important items and my passport everything else can be replaced?”  Yeah.  Don’t ever say that again.  In fact I should know better than to say such blasphemous things aloud – you know my track record with saying stupid, stupid things aloud (and if you don’t, ask me about shooting stars and maybe I will tell you).   Today was a long day and I am not going to go into details (because, well I am exhausted and can’t keep my eyes open) but I will give you small details.  There were missed connections, overweight luggage, bad lightning storms, very invasive TSA security checks, flight cancellations and flight re-booking, but all the madness was dealt with aplomb (until the very end).  Long story short I  am now in Tuscany with only my carry-on.  I have a change of clothes, and my laptop, passport, various sundries and three pairs of shoes.  Go figure, I would put several pairs of shoes in my carry-on, the one thing I can’t actually buy in Italy... Go me!  I would almost say that bad packing saved me.  Almost.   

Silver lining – we are all here in Italy, whole happy and ready to fight the day….  Or eat dinner…..  Whichever comes first.  Probably dinner.  Viva Italia.