When we found out that I was officially going to be studying in La Rochelle, my parents planned a a 2-week trip — one week would be spent in Spain (just the two of them), and during their second week, they were going to come see me!!! I had been anxiously counting down the days until they arrived in the beautiful city that I currently call home. I didn’t realize just how much I missed them until the days leading up to their arrival starting coming and going. I reserved their hotel (where I would be joining them, for more quality time and to finally have a break from living with someone), planned out the two days that we would be spending here in La Rochelle, and, I also helped my mom plan out our trip to Paris. Of all the times I’ve come to Europe, I’ve never been here with my parents, SO, I was extremely anxious and excited to host them and feel their love. I mentioned this in a previous blog, but not having physical contact from people (like hugs), is something that I really miss, considering my parents and I are really huge on loving each other. I was ready to be smothered in hugs and kisses and have a little piece of home with me.
My parents were arriving Monday night on a train from Bordeaux. SUPPOSEDLY, their train was supposed to arrive at 9:30. I planned out my day perfectly and I had just enough time to settle in to the hotel room, come home, shower/eat, and leave my house by 9:00 so that I would arrive by bus to the train station around 9:15. I was at the bus stop around the corner from my house at 9:00 p.m. sharp, but as fate would have it, the bus came at 8:57 and the next one wouldn't arrive until 9:23…meaning if I took the later one (because I totally missed the first one), I was going to be late picking up my parents. Angry, anxious, and frantic, I decided to walk. It was pitch black outside and a casual walk from my house to the train station usually takes about 40 minutes. I was so upset because I knew my parents would NEVER be late if they had to pick me up from the airport or train station, so there was no way I could be late and make them wait. My boyfriend officially decided that if there was a walking competition in the Olympics, I would definitely win. Let me tell ya folks, I power walked from my house to the bus stop by my school where I SAW A BUS TAKING OFF (yes, a bus that would take me to the train station)…yes…I RAN after it (yelling in English, like an idiot…luckily there were no people around)…I ran for a good 10 minutes to try and catch it (we passed about 3 bus stops) until I finally took my run back down to a power walk. As I was walking past the Aquarium (the last corner before the Train Station), I saw a train arriving…mind you, it was 9:15. OF COURSE the train had to arrive early, the one day I was late. So, I picked up the pace and I was walking into the train station out of breath, hot, and completely sweaty, at 9:20. Yep, I made the walk in half the time. But anyways, as soon as I was walking in, I saw my parents through the glass doors right before they walked into the building. Feeling so many emotions all I could do was run and hug them. Everyone around us stopped to see what was going on, and there we were — my parents and I, hugging for a solid 5 minutes. Few times in my life have I been happier. They noticed how sweaty I was and asked why my cheeks were so red, so I explained my casual story. Laughing and hugging, we walked to the bus stop, where the bus did indeed arrive and took us to the hotel, where we stayed up for hours talking and catching up. I didn't realize quite how much I missed them until I was in that moment. Since I had class the next day, we went to bed around 1:00 a.m., and I slept with a smile on my face from ear to ear.
My parents were arriving Monday night on a train from Bordeaux. SUPPOSEDLY, their train was supposed to arrive at 9:30. I planned out my day perfectly and I had just enough time to settle in to the hotel room, come home, shower/eat, and leave my house by 9:00 so that I would arrive by bus to the train station around 9:15. I was at the bus stop around the corner from my house at 9:00 p.m. sharp, but as fate would have it, the bus came at 8:57 and the next one wouldn't arrive until 9:23…meaning if I took the later one (because I totally missed the first one), I was going to be late picking up my parents. Angry, anxious, and frantic, I decided to walk. It was pitch black outside and a casual walk from my house to the train station usually takes about 40 minutes. I was so upset because I knew my parents would NEVER be late if they had to pick me up from the airport or train station, so there was no way I could be late and make them wait. My boyfriend officially decided that if there was a walking competition in the Olympics, I would definitely win. Let me tell ya folks, I power walked from my house to the bus stop by my school where I SAW A BUS TAKING OFF (yes, a bus that would take me to the train station)…yes…I RAN after it (yelling in English, like an idiot…luckily there were no people around)…I ran for a good 10 minutes to try and catch it (we passed about 3 bus stops) until I finally took my run back down to a power walk. As I was walking past the Aquarium (the last corner before the Train Station), I saw a train arriving…mind you, it was 9:15. OF COURSE the train had to arrive early, the one day I was late. So, I picked up the pace and I was walking into the train station out of breath, hot, and completely sweaty, at 9:20. Yep, I made the walk in half the time. But anyways, as soon as I was walking in, I saw my parents through the glass doors right before they walked into the building. Feeling so many emotions all I could do was run and hug them. Everyone around us stopped to see what was going on, and there we were — my parents and I, hugging for a solid 5 minutes. Few times in my life have I been happier. They noticed how sweaty I was and asked why my cheeks were so red, so I explained my casual story. Laughing and hugging, we walked to the bus stop, where the bus did indeed arrive and took us to the hotel, where we stayed up for hours talking and catching up. I didn't realize quite how much I missed them until I was in that moment. Since I had class the next day, we went to bed around 1:00 a.m., and I slept with a smile on my face from ear to ear.
When we found out that I was officially going to be studying in La Rochelle, my parents planned a a 2-week trip — one week would be spent in Spain (just the two of them), and during their second week, they were going to come see me!!! I had been anxiously counting down the days until they arrived in the beautiful city that I currently call home. I didn’t realize just how much I missed them until the days leading up to their arrival starting coming and going. I reserved their hotel (where I would be joining them, for more quality time and to finally have a break from living with someone), planned out the two days that we would be spending here in La Rochelle, and, I also helped my mom plan out our trip to Paris. Of all the times I’ve come to Europe, I’ve never been here with my parents, SO, I was extremely anxious and excited to host them and feel their love. I mentioned this in a previous blog, but not having physical contact from people (like hugs), is something that I really miss, considering my parents and I are really huge on loving each other. I was ready to be smothered in hugs and kisses and have a little piece of home with me.
My parents were arriving Monday night on a train from Bordeaux. SUPPOSEDLY, their train was supposed to arrive at 9:30. I planned out my day perfectly and I had just enough time to settle in to the hotel room, come home, shower/eat, and leave my house by 9:00 so that I would arrive by bus to the train station around 9:15. I was at the bus stop around the corner from my house at 9:00 p.m. sharp, but as fate would have it, the bus came at 8:57 and the next one wouldn't arrive until 9:23…meaning if I took the later one (because I totally missed the first one), I was going to be late picking up my parents. Angry, anxious, and frantic, I decided to walk. It was pitch black outside and a casual walk from my house to the train station usually takes about 40 minutes. I was so upset because I knew my parents would NEVER be late if they had to pick me up from the airport or train station, so there was no way I could be late and make them wait. My boyfriend officially decided that if there was a walking competition in the Olympics, I would definitely win. Let me tell ya folks, I power walked from my house to the bus stop by my school where I SAW A BUS TAKING OFF (yes, a bus that would take me to the train station)…yes…I RAN after it (yelling in English, like an idiot…luckily there were no people around)…I ran for a good 10 minutes to try and catch it (we passed about 3 bus stops) until I finally took my run back down to a power walk. As I was walking past the Aquarium (the last corner before the Train Station), I saw a train arriving…mind you, it was 9:15. OF COURSE the train had to arrive early, the one day I was late. So, I picked up the pace and I was walking into the train station out of breath, hot, and completely sweaty, at 9:20. Yep, I made the walk in half the time. But anyways, as soon as I was walking in, I saw my parents through the glass doors right before they walked into the building. Feeling so many emotions all I could do was run and hug them. Everyone around us stopped to see what was going on, and there we were — my parents and I, hugging for a solid 5 minutes. Few times in my life have I been happier. They noticed how sweaty I was and asked why my cheeks were so red, so I explained my casual story. Laughing and hugging, we walked to the bus stop, where the bus did indeed arrive and took us to the hotel, where we stayed up for hours talking and catching up. I didn't realize quite how much I missed them until I was in that moment. Since I had class the next day, we went to bed around 1:00 a.m., and I slept with a smile on my face from ear to ear.
My parents were arriving Monday night on a train from Bordeaux. SUPPOSEDLY, their train was supposed to arrive at 9:30. I planned out my day perfectly and I had just enough time to settle in to the hotel room, come home, shower/eat, and leave my house by 9:00 so that I would arrive by bus to the train station around 9:15. I was at the bus stop around the corner from my house at 9:00 p.m. sharp, but as fate would have it, the bus came at 8:57 and the next one wouldn't arrive until 9:23…meaning if I took the later one (because I totally missed the first one), I was going to be late picking up my parents. Angry, anxious, and frantic, I decided to walk. It was pitch black outside and a casual walk from my house to the train station usually takes about 40 minutes. I was so upset because I knew my parents would NEVER be late if they had to pick me up from the airport or train station, so there was no way I could be late and make them wait. My boyfriend officially decided that if there was a walking competition in the Olympics, I would definitely win. Let me tell ya folks, I power walked from my house to the bus stop by my school where I SAW A BUS TAKING OFF (yes, a bus that would take me to the train station)…yes…I RAN after it (yelling in English, like an idiot…luckily there were no people around)…I ran for a good 10 minutes to try and catch it (we passed about 3 bus stops) until I finally took my run back down to a power walk. As I was walking past the Aquarium (the last corner before the Train Station), I saw a train arriving…mind you, it was 9:15. OF COURSE the train had to arrive early, the one day I was late. So, I picked up the pace and I was walking into the train station out of breath, hot, and completely sweaty, at 9:20. Yep, I made the walk in half the time. But anyways, as soon as I was walking in, I saw my parents through the glass doors right before they walked into the building. Feeling so many emotions all I could do was run and hug them. Everyone around us stopped to see what was going on, and there we were — my parents and I, hugging for a solid 5 minutes. Few times in my life have I been happier. They noticed how sweaty I was and asked why my cheeks were so red, so I explained my casual story. Laughing and hugging, we walked to the bus stop, where the bus did indeed arrive and took us to the hotel, where we stayed up for hours talking and catching up. I didn't realize quite how much I missed them until I was in that moment. Since I had class the next day, we went to bed around 1:00 a.m., and I slept with a smile on my face from ear to ear.
The next morning, we woke up early and got ready for the long day. We had breakfast at the hotel which was absolutely delicious before making the 10 minute walk to my house. I showed them the beach (Plage Des Minimes) and my house, which is located smack in front of the beach. After the tour of my house, I made them my favorite Colombian coffee and we enjoyed each other’s company while talking and enjoying the view of the ocean. Then, we took the bus to town and went to the Aquarium. I had been dying to see it since I got here, but I wanted to save a few things frown my parents came, and this was one of them. Most of the fish were ugly and scary-looking and it wasn't until the end when we saw all the pretty and colorful fish hahaha. After the Aquarium, we went to the train station and bought our tickets for Paris the next day, and then I showed them the Old Port. It was starting to get extremely overcast, so we took the bus and went back to the Hotel to grab my things for school. I had class from 1:40-4:40 that afternoon, so my parents walked me to school, met some of my friends and told me they would be back to pick me up at 4:40.
When I walked out of class, there they were, sitting at a table, waiting for me. I literally gloated as I walked and I gave people that, “Ha, my parents are here and yours aren’t…be jealous” look hahaha. We dropped my things off at the hotel, and headed back to the Centre-Ville, where I showed them the new port and we walked around, went into a million little stores, and did some shopping before stopping to eat some crêpes at my favorite crêpe restaurant, because life is too short to not eat dessert first. After the scrumptious crêpes and coffee, we continued walking around the cobble stone streets and we watched the sun-set on the new port. Shortly after, we found a nice place to have dinner (YAY for my parents being in town aka going to nice restaurants hahah). I just couldn't get enough of my parents company. After our yummy seafood dinner, we bundled up, walked back to the bus stop, and went to the hotel. That night, we stayed up again talking and laughing, but I actually had class the next morning, so we weren't able to stay up THAT late haha.
Wednesday morning, my parents walked me to school and picked me up at 12:00, where I found them talking to my program coordinator and enjoying a nice conversation. Meanwhile, I bought our lunch from my school cafeteria because they have hands-down the BEST chicken breast baguettes in the entire city. Once we met up, we walked to my house to leave all my school things and pack my bag for Paris that weekend. Back to the hotel we went to pick up their luggage and everything was fine and dandy until I realized I forgot my phone charger at my house. SO. I ran out of the hotel to my house, got my charger, ran back to the hotel, and we anxiously waited for the bus to come. We made it to the train station with about 10 minutes to spare, so we calmly boarded, made ourselves comfortable and started eating our lunch.
As for the train ride and our Parisian adventures…you’ll have to read “Romero’s in France || Part 2, Paris Edition”.
XOXO,
Ana
As for the train ride and our Parisian adventures…you’ll have to read “Romero’s in France || Part 2, Paris Edition”.
XOXO,
Ana