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Wednesday
Nov282007
Who knows what day it even is?
November 28, 2007 
Paris.We have been meeting with the director of the project we are working on, and all I have in my head is his accent. It is making it difficult to write in English, because I am composing my words with the understanding of someone who writes little English in mind.
En Francais, s'il vous plait.
We have mastered the Paris Metro. Yesterday it was not so good, but today, Voila! We glide from stop to stop with the greatest of ease. The subway is interesting. Let's just say that the way the French use arrows is very different from the way we use arrows. But yesterday we were also suffering from lack of sleep. We went for 32 hours without sleep and then fell in our beds and slept for twelve hours. It's a good way to get on the right time schedule.
Since we missed the 26th, here is a little post that I wrote on the plane:
***
Okay, we’re getting close to Paris and I’ve realized something for not quite the first time. I CANNOT sleep sitting up. I try and try, and no matter how exhausted I am, I can’t get to that sweet drooling sleepy time place. I remember once, desperate on a Thai bus, when I simply gave up and laid on the floor among all the feet. The floor was hot and incredibly dirty and I slept like a baby. Now, knowing a little bit more about Asian cultures and their ideas about feet, I’m sure they were horrified. But they didn’t show it, smiling and frowning sweetly at me.
I don’t think that would go over as well here on Delta Airlines. Bummer. Anyways, it looks like my first day in Paris may be a little blurred by sleep deprivation. Which may be just what I need to get the courage to use my elementary school Francais. Voulez-vous repeter, s’il vous plait?
Do you ever have that incredible urge to leap up when the call for a doctor on board comes over the PA system on a flight? I’ve heard that call a couple of times, and tonight I’m really hoping that the person who needed the doctor is alright, but I also feel like dancing to my feet and yelling, “I’m a doctor!†Which would be a complete lie, since I’m totally not a doctor. Wanting to be a doctor is not the same as being a doctor.
Also, wanting to be a breakdancer is not at all the same as actually knowing how to breakdance.
***
And now I need to go to sleep. Tomorrow we get up very early to fly to Burkina Faso.
in Traveling
Traveling 
Reader Comments (12)
That reminds me of the most horrible train ride in India. Chinua graciously gave up the luggage rack to Gloria and I, and he stretched out on the floor of the train, in the aisle, and went to sleep! Watching all the Indians step around him and look at this "giant" sleeping there was pretty funny.
I hope your adventures are wonderful. We fly back to the US Friday. I'm sort of happy to be going home and sort of not. I'm sure you understand.
Blessings!
ah...it all sounds heavenly...even without the sleep.
and, is that a jar of nutella? yum!
Your "I'm a doctor" post cracked me up. You don't know me but we met a few years ago in SF. You may also know about me because I connected my friend Chris Hale to the PP.
I found your site after my husband saw the funny Chinua video on the LJUrban website. Welcome to Sacramento! We live downtown and I knew Chinua in 1996 when he lived at the Haight house. I hope to see you around town after your adventure.
Peace,
Anna de Kok
Why yes, that DOES appear to be nutella- and in a ginormous jar too. Is it just the scale, or is the omlette huge as well? Mmmmmm, good.
Looks like you're having fun....I cannot sleep on a plane either - even if I take something that is supposed to make me sleepy. It's really frustrating when your whole team is snoring away and you cannot get to sleep. My SH says that I'm the traveller from Hell because I keep getting up and crawling over everyone.
I get twitchy legs when I have to sit that long, and the feeling that I need to go for a jog, so on my trip to the Philippines I must have gone to the bathroom 50 times - those who were still awake, must have thought I had a bladder problem, but it really was just an excuse to get up and walk.
So, I sympathize with you. Sounds like you're having fun though!!!
Everyday I check... Did she post today? Ahhhh, a post and a wonderfully funny one at that. Enjoy! And I totally understand the sleeping thing. On our way home after our night flight last week,we parked somewhere along the road between the redwoods and the bay and curled up in our seats and slept for an hour or two. Blissfully... crooked, but thankfully lying down! Lots of love, Tj
Vive la Paris! short lived visit is better than not making it in this lifetime!
I'm so happy for you to frolick and travel.
I've only been on a plane once and sleeping was not in the picture, it was so exciting for me and well, the sitting up part is of no use.
(If you were pretending to be a doctor I'd let you fix me up.)
Yay! You're half way there! enjoy the journey, and thanks so much for sharing it, it's truely exciting to whitness, and I must say the mystery journey is intriguing me a lot!
Peace and health.
That picture makes my mouth water. I am so excited for you Rachel
who cares what day it is, when there's food like that! yum
Whatever that food is- it looks incredible. Okay- with that out of the way...
Your comment on calling for a doctor? For some reason it made me remeber how when I was a kid the teacher would stand menacingly in front of the class to ask "who stole the chalk"? and I would be like..."did I do it? Maybe I did it!! Oh god, I didn't do it, but I feel like I need to confess."
-HH
I just found your site (thanks to Catherine Newman), and I love it. Your children are beautiful. I'm looking forward to reading you. What food allergies do you have to deal with? (I have 2 sons with peanut/tree nut/chick pea allergies). Scary stuff.
Hi Rae, wow, lots of things happen to you fast, or I don't know how long you have been planning the Paris trip, but it sounds like fun! Are you the official photgrapher for the project? I am so glad to hear that you and the kids are safe, good to know about the tires. Hope Kenya's hand heals fast. Are you coming back to Canada afterwards, or going to Sacramento? Well, have a blast (wish I was there, too:o) Talk to you later!
Thinking of you.....and wishing you a safe trip!
~Taegen