Bonjour France! Hopefully for real this time!

Bonjour tout le monde! I have been in the airport in New York for about 14 hours now. I love airports but maybe not quite this much. I slept on the floor, as I previously mentioned, and you can imagine how that went over. I got up around 5am because the terminal started to get busy and loud. The only thing I had eaten the day before was a pepperoni roll, some donut munchkins, some cheese, and some pretzels and almonds on the plane. I was planning to eat in JFK... that didn't happen. Once I was awake enough to walk around, I went to a little market-type store and got cheese crackers and a ginger ale. Between the nerves and the lack of food, my stomach wasn't happy. I ended up hanging out with the nice lady from yesterday a bit more before her flight. I was still a little flustered and definitely sleep deprived. After she left, I found a nice sunny spot and chilled out for a couple hours, dozing in and out. Around 10:30 I decided to go back to the Delta help desk to figure out what today was going to be. My teacher in France recommended taking a train from Paris to Lyon instead of flying, because it would be faster with my layover. I think I might combust with any more time in an airport, so I agreed. Cancelling the Lyon leg of my flight was harder than I thought but the Delta lady made it happen. (I may or may not have teared up when things weren't looking good and she definitely noticed).

In JFK, you have to switch terminals for most international flights. Because of this you also have to go through security and baggage check again. After all of that running relatively smoothly, I am finally at my gate heading to Paris. The more I think about it, the happier I am to take a train through France instead of flying. I get to see so much more this way!!

About the only thing I can stomach right now is crackers, so I bought a bag of cheezits-it was $6. That's all I have to say about airport pricing.

my view from the sunny window i napped in

Some things I have learned on this airport adventure:

1. Stand your ground and ask for what you want

2. Make friends with people around you. I made my mom friend and a few other along the way as well. It makes everyones day a bit better.

3. Be nice and be patient. I saw too many airline workers being screamed at. Fun fact they actually cannot control weather delays, which apparently everyone thought they did.

4. Persevere. Not to get all deep on you, but I literally almost turned around and went home. Even though its been a crazy day, I have learned so much about myself and strangers.

I am SO tired but I think I will sleep well on this flight and wake up bright and early in PARIS!!!!!!!!!

Au Revoir,

Maggie

(written may 17)