Seriously. Where did May go? It feels like yesterday that I was waiting for people to arrive, and now it turns out that I'm leaving in ten days. Madness.
But I forget my manners. How are you? It has been a long time, but I think we all know why I haven't had time to chat. May 1st found me with two of the most delightful people to emerge from the metropolis of Stroud. I spent a fine May Day with Lynne and Joan, showing them some sights and reveling in their generosity. But alas, they were gone too soon, and I was left to wait for my next friendly encounter. I didn't have to wait long as a side-parting, curly-haired vixen with the name of Kelly Ferguson found her way to these shores on May 4th. Our time alone was short lived as her friend from the town of King arrived around three hours after her. Of course I offered my humble abode to him to share with us because he is a darling boy. He too was to part too soon, but being the ever-popular girl, Kelly quickly had two more friends from Queen's to keep her company. Again I offered use of my flat because that is what one does in the presence of royalty. And nice expats. All in all, Kelly did manage to find some alone time for me before she left. Quite fittingly, we went to a castle, and I was able to check it out for when my dearest mother came to ensure she saw nothing but the best. Kelly left me within one week of her arrival, and again I was left alone. But not for long.
The next day found me with a McMaster chum. A friend of Michelle's had a couple of days in Paris by herself, and being addicted to guests, I invited her in. Jacquie and I had a lovely time sitting in parks reading and wandering around aimlessly. To my further enjoyment, we had two more visitors from McMaster come who were good friends with Missy. I must say, five girls living in a tiny apartment during an unseasonal heat-wave could have been a disaster. But Missy and I were ecstatic. Being the minority sex when it comes to our group of Parisian friends, the overwhelming girly time was very much appreciated. Sadly, shortly after we had to say goodbye to Jacquie who was going on to visit Japan to see Michelle, and we were down to four again. But lo and behold, the visitors were not done yet! A fresh faced Casey Ross found her way easily onto the platform of Chatelet. Due to my magnificent planning skills, we didn't have to wait for each other at all, and glided easily throughout the intricate metro system, sweating and carrying an obscene amount of baggage. We arrived at our hotel, confirming with reception that we hadn't actually gotten off in the future, and that yes, the decor was ultra modern but we were still in 2008. But the fun did not stop there, oh no, for there was more familial fun to be had. We were joined, at some point, by four, yes four, more ladies with whom to spend the time. After speeding through some of the inspiring and magnificent to the tacky and fantastic offerings of the city, we had to say goodbye to the fine ladies who were now laden with an excessive amount of baggage. But fear not for me because the intrepid Casey Ross was still with me. After the second, but not the last, foray through the Parisian underground with our lives on our backs, we moved back into my flat which now only housed the two of us. After paying homage to the sights of Paris (some more than others) Casey too was to leave. I was devastated at the news, but I stayed strong as I knew that yes, there was still more. Except it was I that was to leave and become a visitor in a strange land; England, my first European home.
We took the Eurostar, and after a stressful text filled morning of someone (Kevin) losing their keys, finding them, and then running onto the train, we were all headed to London. I must say, the weather did not disappoint. By this I mean it was so stereotypically English it was indeed like someone forgot to send the UK the memo that Spring had arrived. So, after a rainy museum filled day, we met up with the legend that is James Dean and saw some more of London. We then headed up north to a city called Leeds, of which I'm rather fond. After a surreal experience of being weirded out that we were there, but also weirded out that it wasn't weird, drank copious amounts of beer and ate disgustingly great food, it was back down to London for us. We saw a bit more of London and James Dean and called it a trip. We were exhausted. The day we left was beautiful, naturally, and we were back in Paris by 5:30 Thursday.
And there you have it. Now I'm just killing time. I leave a week Monday and sadly the weather here does not seem to be willing to be nice so that I may enjoy my favourite parts of Paris before I leave. Oh well. This will most likely be my last post as I won't do anything of importance in this next week except pack, wander and weep. So I shall see you soon, and look forward to the days where I will always be surrounded by those I know and love.
...And those who I can understand most, if not all of the time.
à bientôt
