Locked Out

I had a HELL of a day after my last blog post. This literally was life or death—or pretty close to it. I cannot believe all the crap that has happened to me. This has been a great adventure for sure!

So I packed up my carry-on bag at Nico’s to take to Justine’s (where my big suitcases were) to repack for my trip to Nice that night. It was a bit of a struggle lugging my carry on suit case through the metro, but it was nothing compared to last summer’s nightmare when I had my big suitcase in the metro. It took an hour or so, but I arrived to Justine’s just fine. I opened the window in the kitchen to let some fresh air in and took an hour or so packing for Nice and tidying up my suitcases, which take so much room in her apartment. She is so sweet to let me leave my suitcases there.

Right when I finished packing I decided to use the bathroom before I made the trek back to Nico’s. The bathroom is separate from the apartment, and she has a personal bathroom right across the hall that you need to unlock. I slowly closed her apartment door to turn around the bathroom and without any warning the door slammed in my face. The wind from the kitchen window forcefully closed the door for me. I immediately pushed the door to open it again, and It. Would. Not. Open.

I had proceeded to like myself out of Justine’s apartment. All my luggage, purse, semi-working iPhone, and passport were in that apartment, and I had managed to freaking lock myself out. How did this happen to me? After everything else I had dealt with. I panicked and started talking to myself and wimpering. I was pitiful—for good reasons. Ironically, I had just put on a necklace with a key at the end-- what a way to mock myself.

I knocked on her neighbor’s door, who could speak English, and I knew I could get this settled with her help, but there was no answer. What to do now? I paced back and forth up and down the hall for a few minutes contemplating my limited options. I decided to go against my will and knock on random doors for someone to help me. The second door I tried, an old lady answered. I said Bonjour and asked if she spoke English, which of course, she did not. Well it was now or nothing… I proceeded to tell her my predicament in French.

She let me inside and let me use her phone. I thought I remembered Nico’s number (since I dialed it at the airport so many times), and tried it a few times but kept getting random French people. The old lady didn’t have a cell phone or internet, so she couldn’t really help me. She offered me tea, and talked about when Chantal would come back, the English speaking neighbor, but she didn’t know when for sure. I then told her I needed the internet to find my friend’s phone numbers, and that I had a flight to catch tonight. She offered to take me somewhere that had internet, and I told her I didn’t have money, and she said she would pay for me.

Now all of this was in FRENCH… can you believe it? I mean it was a very spaced out, simple conversation, but I am proud. And also, she was so nice to me. Not how I expected a Parisian to treat me. She was incredibly sweet. We then walked for five minutes to a locksmith—I was a tad confused, but she told my predicament to the shop owner. He let me use a computer, and I went on facebook to find people’s numbers. The shop owner let me use his cell phone, and I immediately called Jerome. Thank God he answered, and I blurted out my situation, which I had to repeat slowly again.

I don’t really remember what we said, but he was on his way to Paris at that point and said everyone in the car was laughing at me, which I did not find the least bit funny (at the time). I told him to call Justine to let her know she needed to come back to her apartment, which remember she wouldn’t normally since she was staying at a friends because of no electricity, and then to call Nico because he was locked out of his apt since his keys were in Justine’s. He told me he would call me back soon and to hang in there.

Meanwhile, a lady walked into the store, who spoke English! So I told her everything and she told the old lady and store owner just so they knew exactly what happened. I then played telephone tag for a bit as Jerome updated me on what was happening…. He had arranged for him, Nico, and Justine to meet me at Justine’s apartment so we could all sort through the huge mess I created. The old lady and I walked back to her apartment, where I would wait for everyone, and we saw Chantal entering the apartment! So I told her everything, and she took me under her wing while I waited for everyone.

Looking back, what happened to me was complete crap, but everything that happened afterwards was quite lucky.

So I waited 20 minutes or so, and Jerome called saying he was there. I hadn’t even had time to anticipate or think about our reunion. It had been 3 months, but I was in such a daze from everything. I said thank you to Chantal and walked downstairs to meet Jerome. At first, I didn’t see him through the door, but 30 seconds later he appeared along with his brother, which was a pleasant surprise.

It was so strange physically seeing Jerome, and I didn’t know how to feel, but I sure felt relief as we hugged. A lot had just been lifted off my shoulders with just him there, so I felt a lot better. We had an hour or so to kill waiting for Justine and Nico to get off work, so we walked around for a bit and then said bye to Jerome’s brother, who had to catch a flight to Ireland.

Me and Jerome went back to Justine’s to wait for Nico… I was happy that everything was starting to work out. Before I knew it, Nico was there, and we hung out until Justine arrived. At this point, I was nervous about catching our plane to Nice (before I didn’t care—I just wanted all my stuff and Jerome), but we were starting to get into a time crunch. Justine finally arrived, and I quickly gathered all my things (luckily I had finished packing). I said a quick good-bye to everyone, and me and Jerome took a cab to the Orly airport… we had like 45 mins to get there and get through security, so we didn’t say much during the taxi ride because we were stressed. However, security took 5 minutes and we arrived with enough time to spare to grab a bite to eat before setting off for Nice!

The flight was like an hour long, and I was there before I knew it. Me and Jerome finally had time to relax during the flight and enjoyed each other’s company. It was dark when we landed, so unfortunately, I couldn’t see the pretty landscape of Nice. Then one if his friends picked us up, and we headed to a local bar where Jerome’s band was playing. I met a few of his friends, who were all very nice to me and spoke English.

Two of his band mates came drove us to Jerome’s, and I must say driving is crazier here. The little cars speedily zip along tiny roads!! The roads to Jerome’s are windy because he lives up a mountain, so it was an interesting drive. We arrived and had a few drinks, and then headed to bed after one of the longest days of my life.

The next day, Jerome treated me to a French breakfast and we picked up some chocolat au pain and ate by his pool. What a life! Then we went for a run. It was nice running, but it was so hot and lot of it was uphill. I was so dead, but I needed a good run to de-stress. After, I think we ate lunch. His house has a garden, and I picked tomatoes that we ate-- so French haha, but they were very good! Then I had my first driving lesson with him, which went pretty well, but driving stick is NERVE WRACKING. I get so antsy and paranoid, and I really don’t like it, but I just need practice. He eventually made me drive on real roads, which scares the hell out of me. Everyone drives way to fast on these crazy mountain roads (they are way crazier than back home), and I am just a nervous wreck. I had a few instances of annoying traffic, and switching back to the passenger seat on the main road, but I improved.

We then went to an area with stores to buy some things. We went to a HUGE Carrefour, which was way bigger than Walmart, and way crazier to buy alcohol for a party Jerome was throwing that night. When he arrived back at his house, one of his friends was already there waiting for us, and he immediately started to make some sangria- yum!

Eventually more people came, and I had a good night overall! Sometimes it is hard being with all French people who I don’t know, but everyone was really nice to me and let me speak French to them and English as well. They said I spoke well, and I know I am a beginner, but it makes me feel good to hear real French people say that to me!

Now it is the following afternoon. Jerome made me drive to a boulangerie to buy some sandwiches, which were so good. Goat cheese and then duck—I really enjoyed it. And now I am sitting outside in this gorgeous weather writing. It is so beautiful here. Jerome lives in a small village that leaves beneath this huge rock outcropping mountain that is incredible. This is a lovely place. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here, and it is nice to have a break from the hectic life I have had lately!

I have been learning a lot about French culture, and I really do love it. Part of me misses home in a way, but I can’t believe I am here for a year. So crazy, but I am having the time of my life!