 |
| Can’t feel my toes š |
I checked out of the hotel early the next day. My train was scheduled to leave at 12:30pm and according to the Eurostar agent I spoke with the night before, there shouldn’t be “anymore” delays. But err on the side of caution and arrive fashionably early. I arrived at St. Pancras Station at 9am only to discover that those people whose trains were cancelled the day before were back and that there were still some cancelled trains that very day. There thousands of people waiting inside and outside. I was probably #5000 on the queue. Out in the freezing temps, there I was huddled with everyone that was trying to get back to their families in different parts of Europe. I did not get inside until around 1pm. Eurostar set up a complimentary coffee and tea truck outside but we were no match against snow and wind. Once inside, I could feel that hope fading once more when I saw these words on the schedule board: delayed and cancelled. My family was already en route to Paris via Eurail from Amsterdam. I had to meet them there!
 |
| Inside St. Pancras |
 |
| Not at all fun looking at this |
I did not get my new train ticket until about 7pm. Even with my new ticket, there was no guarantee that I could leave for Paris that night because of the snow and the trains were running very slowly. With no breakfast, lunch, and possibly dinner, I was running the risk of getting sick. The only solid food I had was a piece of croissant hours ago. Thankfully, I met a really cute and gay Belgian couple who regaled me with their misfortunes of trying to get back to Belgium. I wasn’t the only one trying to escape the crazed fracas in London. I suddenly felt better. At 9pm, my train arrived. I felt bad leaving my Belgian acquaintances but their train arrived just as mine was pulling out of the platform.
 |
| This lady kept us entertained with her singing |
 |
| My tired feet on the left and tired, singing lady on the right |
 |
| Merry Christmas from Eurostar |
It was relatively calm inside my train. I think everyone was just relieved that the worst was over. I had my first real meal inside the train, as well. I was so happy though that the seat next to me was empty and I was able to have a semi-comfortable nap. Our train arrived at Gare Du Nord at exactly midnight. The scene at Gare Du Nord was the exact opposite of St. Pancras. There was no sign of the mayhem we had in London. I was able to get a cab to 17th Arrondisement snag free. By 1am, I was already in my warm bed, giving my body the much needed rest before I start my day in Paris with my family.
 |
| First family photo in Paris |
There were so many first-times on this particular holiday. They were the very reasons why I decided to go ahead with the trip. The romance and mystery in the beginning with the snow, Ben Barnes, Bath, and Jane Austen land were almost overshadowed by the almost-catastrophic turn of events toward the end. I was disappointedĀ that my parents did not get to see London. I was frustrated that my dad did not get to experience the Beatles Rock tour. I got horribly sick during the remainder of my one-month trip because of a chest cold I got from standing in the snow for hours outside St. Pancras. There have been a number of times when I felt like buckling under from all the challenges. I almost went back home because of them. However, I am not a quitter. I decided to stay. My sister made me see why I should continue the trip. She was right. How often can someone experience a much needed career breakĀ to travel to these great places? Not often enough. For the last 11 years of my life, I spent a great deal tending to other people’s needs and working to live. I had to continue, for my sanity’s sake. Forgoing the rest of the trip would have been the biggest mistake I could ever make yet. Just because I had the sniffles,Ā it didn’t mean that I should give up, right? Plus, my family and I got to enjoy Paris, Adria and Rome together. That was priceless!
