Chunneling from London to Paris

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007
Chunnel Time

I had breakfast and said goodbye to my hostel mates, most of whom had just checked in in the last day or two, but also to Danielle, who I had been with for the past five or six days. I really love backpacking alone because it gives you such a good chance to meet so many cool people from all over the world.

In the security line at the train station, Julia pointed out this girl's passport. It looked so cool, and I wondered if it was from South Africa or something. Until I looked more closely at the girl who was holding it. I turned to Julia and said, "I think I know that girl. I think her name is Brooke." It wasn't a passport, but a passport cover. And sure enough, I knew the girl that it belonged to. She came up to me and we laughed about what a small world it was for all of one minute before the security lady rudely told me to grab my bag and move on. I met Brooke at Student Government camp a couple of years ago, and I don't think I have seen her since summer camp last year. It's crazy!!

Anyway, it was kind of cool traveling beneath the English Channel, but a bit uneventful. It was just like going under a river, except for a really long time. Julia lent me a book to read on the tube ride, which was pretty exciting, since I have only read one very small big since arriving in Europe nearly a month ago. We arrived at Waterloo, and took the tube to Victoria Station, where we walked to the dorm. Julia's luggage connector broke, as well as one of her suitcase handles, so that sucked. We checked in, got into our rooms, which are very nice!! Our building is beautiful, an 1800s brick building, but the paint color inside is very tacky, a different pastel on each floor. My room is green. I am on the third floor, which would be the fourth floor by American standards. I look out at a nice brick wall. Julia is on the second floor and has a nice view, but she got some crappy furnishings in her room.

After settling in, we went grocery shopping at Tesco's. I loaded up on pasta, sauce, cereal, fruits, vegetables, Mars Planets, and water--sure that my bill would be outrageous. It was all only fifteen plans. So amazing!! The walk back was rough, because the way the water had to be carried both of us had our circulation cut off. Our fingers were purple by the time we got back to the dorm. A bit after we got back, we met the other scholars. The five of us went to a pub for dinner and a drink, then we walked along the Thames until we found Leicester Square. We wandered around, looking for a midnight showing of Harry Potter--they don't exist here!! We finally got some gelato, sat down in the park, and then headed back to the dorm. We got back around midnight, and I finally unpacked, finishing at around two. I DESPERATELY need to do laundry.