The City of Love?

So we went to Paris this weekend and I have been waiting my whole life to visit this beautiful city. We took an 11 hour train ride through the North of Spain into Basque country and then on into France. The train ride was really beautiful, but our connecting train into France was full so we had to take a later train. That is when the trouble began...The train we were supposed take would get us into Paris at 7:45pm but because that train was full we had to take a train that put us in Paris at 11:20pm. We were a little worried about finding our hostel in the middle of the night and that the public transportation would close down in the middle of our search. But there was really nothing much we could do, so we walked around the Hendaye for a few hours waiting for our next train. The city was on the coast and really green and beautiful. But in the middle of our walk it started pouring buckets and lightning and thundering. We didn't have an umbrella so we went searching for one frantically. I swear that if someone would set up an umbrella stand in the rain, they would make a killing. We did find an umbrella at a boat store near enough and finally had some relief from the rain. Tyler insisted that we walk to the beach even though it was cold and rainy and miserable, but we did anyway. 

We finally got on our train to France, a little damper than we arrived, and found that even though we had a reservation, we did not have an assigned seat. So we scrambled to find two seats together and thought we were fine to settle in for the night. Well some smart Frenchman had another idea in store for us. It wasn't literally one guy, but somewhere, someone had the bright idea to give some people reserved seating and some people just general tickets. So we had to change seats three or four times before finally arriving in Paris. Not to mention we arrived at nearly 12:00am. We decided not to brave the public transportation and got a taxi. I thought it was fitting that our taxi was a Mercedes seeing as we were in France, until he started driving through tunnels at 100 miles an hour (not km! I did the conversion Dad!) and I remembered that Princess Diana was also once driving in a Mercedes in Paris at midnight through tunnels going quite fast and I became a little sick to my stomach. Tyler was nauseous too but not because of Princess Di, but because the cab ride cost us 45 Euros! That is over $70! It cost a 40 euros total to buy a plane ticket to Germany. That's what comes from being in Paris. We did pass the Eiffel Tower though and it was all lit up and sparkling and reminded me of my niece Janie and how when we play together she is always "Mywee" and I am "Spahkle Butiful." Tyler and I nicknamed the Eiffel Tower Sparkle Beautiful.

Our hostel was nice though and was not expensive for what we got out of it. And it was really clean, something you don't always see in student hostels in Europe. We found out it was a good thing that we took the taxi after all because the Metro in Paris is open late, but to get to our hostel you have to take an RER train which is a train system that serves Paris' suburbs and those close at 12:00. So we would have made it as far as the Metro goes and then would have had to find a cab in the middle of nowhere or even worse, walk. 

I was excited to start our first day in Paris. I wasn't feeling great, but I didn't sleep well that night so I thought once I got out and about I would feel better. We decided to go to the Louvre first and avoid the crowds. We walked through some beautiful parts of Paris and arrived at the Louvre. 

As we were waiting in line for tickets, I began to feel a little dizzy. I needed to find a bathroom and fast. So I told Ty I was going to check our coats and made my way out of the crowded hall. My stomach was rocking and rolling and I found the bathroom just in time...I will spare the hairy details...and came out a little shaky, my stomach still churning. We decided to see the Mona Lisa first and made our way to the crowded exhibition room. I started to feel that same sort of rumbly in my tumbly and told Tyler I needed to get out and get some Sprite or something. We found a Sprite and a bench and sat there for about 15 minutes and I tried to stand up but was really shaky and weak still. I nibbled on some granola bar and croissant, but that didn't help either. At this rate it would literally take us the entire two days we had to see the Louvre. Tyler however, is a champ and got me a wheelchair right away and I am sure I looked pathetic being rolled around with no apparent handicap, but it was a lifesaver and I was able to enjoy the Louvre. 

After sitting for a few hours, I was feeling a little better, so we decided to check out Notre Dame and the other side of the river. Tyler was starving and I was nauseous at the smell of food so he ordered a kebab and I tried not to smell it. I did try a little bit of it and it was good, but I couldn't eat much. We went through Notre Dame and there was some sort of service going on inside so it was crowded, but the effect of the singing and prayers was magical. I am so amazed at the size of these buildings! After Notre Dame, I wasn't feeling to swell and we started walking towards the Latin District and Luxemborg gardens. By the time we made it to the Pantheon, I was miserable, shivering and achy all over. We rested on the steps for a few minutes and then continued on our way exploring the little side streets. Each step became harder and harder and I became more and more ill. By the time we made it to a park bench I was in tears, I was so miserable. I wanted to see Paris more than anything, but my body was killing me! We decided to at least try for the Luxemborg gardens before going back to the hostel, but that was still a 15 minute walk away and by the time we reached the edge I could barely walk. We stopped in a McDonald's so I could get another Sprite to settle my ever-raging stomach and Tyler got a Nutella crepe from a nearby stand. 

We headed back to the hostel where I took a long hot bath and crashed into bed. I went from hot to cold all night, shivering and sweating and barely sleeping. I woke up at 4 in the morning and took another bath to relax my body and try to sleep better. At 8 I was sick and throwing up three or four times. Tyler went to the concierge to ask him for something to help with my pounding head and he gave him so fizzy lifting drink. Well it was not actually magical lifting soda, but you did have to put it in water and it did fizz and it was the worst tasting thing a person can imagine! Surprisingly, it did help with my headache but after awhile, but stomach didn't need any more fizzy lifting and decided to return the medicine. We had already left to go exploring for the day, and I new I had to see the Eiffel Tower first because who knew how long I would last. Right before the Eiffel Tower, we explored an area with a monument to the bastille with some beautiful side streets and hold aristocratic houses. I managed to get in a few good shots, but most of my pictures looked like the one above.

We made it to the Champs de Mars (the park in front of the Eiffel Tower) and I was feeling worse than ever. I laid down on the ground and crashed! There was no hope for me after that. It was about 1:00 in the afternoon and I had a ginger ale, my scarf, and my bag and I slept until 6:00! I didn't even notice, I was out cold. Tyler went off exploring and by the time he came back, I wasn't feeling any better. Not very many people can say the took a five hour nap in front of the Eiffel Tower I guess...We did walk towards the Eiffel Tower and got me another Sprite and I wanted to go to the top but my stomach just wouldn't let me. So we decided to go on a boat tour instead...I know great alternate. I was miserable the whole time, but luckily because I threw up right before we got on, I didn't throw up on the boat. I was beat by that time and knew that the City of Light only had one light for me....the light at the end of the tunnel. I told Tyler I was going back to the hostel and to stay here and explore and he reluctantly let me go. I was in so much pain. My head ached, my legs ached, my back ached, I had the chills. The only thing that didn't hurt were my feet, thanks to Lesli for buying me some great shoes. 

I made it back to the train station and instead of walking the 20 minutes to our hostel, decided to take the bus. Well I missed the bus by two minutes and the next bus would come in 50 so I thought maybe I should just walk. Then it started to rain. It had poured the day before but Sunday was beautiful weather, so I didn't have the umbrella with me. Like a scene out of a movie, I sat down on the cold cement steps and waited, shivering, for nearly an hour for our bus. When I got to the hostel, I took another bath, and I think I passed out for a little bit because all of a sudden I woke up and the water was getting cold. So I got out and went to bed. In the meantime, Tyler saw all the beautiful sights Paris didn't want me to see. He saw the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysee, the Luxemborg Gardens, the Jewish quarter, the Guillotine monument, and so much more (sorry if my French spelling is way off!). He came home close to 12 and we both settled in for a quiet night. For me it was another miserable night and when it was time to catch our train in the morning, I would have missed it if Tyler didn't have to work the next day. Tyler said he was worried the whole time to the train station because I was really pale and shaky and he said if I passed out we were done for. Luckily with a lot of prayers we made it to the train station. The train ride was horrible. Tyler laughed at my million different positions trying to get comfortable enough to sleep, and I was literally counting down the minutes until that wretched day would be over. I had barely slept in three days and I was sicker on that day then any of the previous three. Without fail, we hobbled into our apartment where I have crashed the last four days, living on soup and 7up. I finally have access to some medicine so I have been feeling a bit better, but still not great. My conclusion is this...The City of Love has no love for me. And in the words of Janie....I'm ok with that.

Week 2

Hey everyone,

So another week went by in beautiful Madrid and we found another random internet connection for the laptop so I can update the blog with pictures. For those of you who don't know, our apartment is supposed to have Wi-fi sometime within in the next week to 18 days. Whatever the random 18 days means is beyond me. 

First of all, I would like to apologize for my many spelling/grammatical errors in the first blog. I was so excited to have an internet connection, I typed as furiously as my little fingers would allow and did not spell check or proof read. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at this point because it is a blog, not a dissertation, but I can't stand reading ANYTHING with a lot of errors so therefore my own blog can't suffer hypocrisy!! 

Anyway, this week was a great week for us, as I mentioned. Tyler found out the embassy has an American store with pretty much everything a store in the US would have, including....drumroll please....Dr. Pepper! Woot! Woot! But you would all be proud to know that I have not had one as of yet. Partially because I chose not to and partially because my security clearance to go the store has not been given to me yet so I can't get into the dumb thing. Tyler is not sympathetic to my obvious addiction. But we are happy that the prices at the store are low and there is a lot of convenient food to suit our needs.

Tyler has been working away at the Embassy. So far his superiors have been pleased with his work and his efforts and I know he will do great. He is such a hard worker and completely capable of anything they throw at him. He has been talking about a career in the foreign services and my fingers are not crossed too hard (wink). 

I spent the week searching for random internet connections and was thrilled to find a website that pirates new movies and so I watched the movie "Baby Mama" which was hilarious. I have also been reading a lot and already nearly finished my second book. I am trying not to read that much because I don't have a lot of books and I don't want to go through the whole collection within the first month. 

Tyler and I had a long weekend because he doesn't work on Fridays and Thursday was a holiday here in Spain (he gets the US and the Spanish holidays off work!). On Thursday we went to the center and looked around at all the lovely sights. I am falling more and more in love with Madrid everyday. It is such a beautiful place and so wonderfully clean. We tried to find a good gelatto shop but our efforts were in vain and we went home a little cross.

On Friday we went to the train station to make our reservations for our trip next weekend. Oh, did I mention we are going to Paris on Friday? WWWWHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!!????!!!! I know...I am beyond thrilled. Words can't even express. It is my lifelong dream to go there and I have wanted to go for as long as I can remember. So we are dashing off to France for the weekend. Bon voyage!

For the rest of Friday we walked around in the rain and partial sun. We found a gelatto store and I got Tyler to try gelatto for the first time and he is hooked now too. The late afternoon in Madrid is when the party begins. There was music everywhere and we stumbled upon an outdoor ballroom floor with hundreds of couples dancing to big-band hits in a beautiful park next to the royal palace. It was magical and I wish there were things like this in the States. A place where people who grew up to jazz music and learned to dance to it, can come and dance the night away with no cost. I love Europe!

Tyler and I have been enjoying many long conversations about random things. One of the things I love about Tyler is his eager willingness to learn. We have conversations about Scientology, libidos, and hermaphrodites to name a few. Since then Tyler has asked more about "limbidos" and is convinced Hermaphrodites don't exist. According to the movie "Baby Mama" which I was lucky enough to cite as a resource, 1 in 10 babies are hermaphrodites....ha ha! Poor Ty doesn't have the password to our blog to even defend himself. Love him!

Hope you all loved hearing the antics of Tyler and Megan aboard and stay tuned for next weeks show!

GRADES

So grades came back yesterday and Tyler and I were both happy that we survived yet another semester together. I want to let everyone know that this was the hardest semester Ty has taken so far. He took all upper division 5000-level classes and without fail, studied every night until quite late. I am really proud of his efforts and he received a 4.0 this semester and now has been on the Dean's list for the past several semesters. Blogs are meant for bragging right? So I just want to give my sweet husband a standing ovation for a job well done. 

MADRID WEEK ONE

Ok here it is...the first post on our blog. Hopefully everything will go as planned...ha ha. Well our first week in Madrid has been a little cloudy (literally and figuratively) but everything is starting to look up as we woke up this sunny Monday morning and Megan found a working internet connection. We arrived in Madrid Wednesday after taking separate flights from Salt Lake. I (Megs) was a little worried about finding Tyler in Madrid, but there were no problems. My international flight was AWESOME. I had my own TV screen and a list of movies and television shows to choose from to watch. I think I was so excited I watched the beginning of like four different movies. The flight went surprisingly fast and I found Tyler (luckily) in Madrid with no problems (again, luckily). 

Our taxi driver from the airport (yes Megan won the Taxi vs. the Metro battle) decided that the 12 euros it took to find our neighborhood wasn't worth his time and so he had to do several (and by several I mean 5) U-Turns to find our apartment. The 12 euros turned into 26 euros and then the driver tried to swindle us into paying 30 euros because we had a lot of luggage (you try living away for four months in one bag Mother!). The taxi driver should have known never to pinch pennies from a penny pincher and Tyler won that battle, but ended up tipping the guy 2 euros. The next few days were a blur of sleep, a trip downtown, and more sleep. Jet Lag is my friend and Tyler's enemy, as he has his ever growing task list of things to do. 

Our apartment is quite small and our bed is quite smaller, but instead of focusing on what we don't have, I have decided to focus on what we do have. We do have a very strange shower that has a window next to it that opens into some sort of other dimension, I am sure, because it is like a cellar, but not quite, and there is light that comes from somewhere, but I am not sure where...so I am afraid to look out of it. We also have a lovely cat named Nelson. His previous home seemed to be our current home and he loves to sit outside our window and whine until I let him in and then he runs under the bed and stays there until I put my feet on the ground and then he likes to rub my leg and follow me while I do the laundry and jump at cockroaches in the courtyard while I am trying to hang up socks and then get his dirty, ugly, cat hair everywhere. I hate cats. Moving on, as I mentioned we have a concrete courtyard, cockroaches, and a laundry line to hang our laundry. I wonder what the neighbors think of us and our long underwear hanging on the three lines out there. Garments are just lovely. We also have a pig leg in the kitchen. Yes, that is the Leg of a Pig. They are in all the supermarkets here, just legs of pigs hanging everywhere and they make me want to be a vegetarian when you walk into a restaurant/shop and see a 20 foot wall of pork legs. Apparently they are quite a tasty, however the hoof still attached does something to ones appetite. The other lovely thing about the pig leg is that it sits right next to the light switch in the kitchen so every time I go into the kitchen I am quite nervous about accidentally touching the hideous thing when I am groping in the dark to find the light. The other day I was following Tyler into the kitchen and was in the middle of telling him about this fear when he actually touched the thing and nearly knocked it over. If anyone knows Tyler and his fear of getting his hands dirty, you can imagine his reaction. It was hilarious.

On Wednesday night, Max, our roommate and Tyler's best buddy here, was nice enough to show us downtown. Madrid at night was amazing. Tyler and I went to a local restaurant and ate paella, which is a local dish of rice and meat. Our meat was seafood (you can have chicken or pretty much whatever with it) and the shrimp still had the eyes attached. I don't know if it was the eyes or what, but the local cuisine did not sit well in my stomach the next day, so I stayed in bed while Tyler enjoyed his first day of work. He likes the Embassy and is excited to work there.

On Friday we went to the center of Madrid and walked around a bit before feeling under the weather and returning to battle our jet lag. Madrid is a beautiful city and there is a lot for us to see and do while we are here. I love how clean and fresh the city is. I don't notice much pollution and when it is not raining, the air is a wonderful and brilliant blue. I am excited to be here and excited for this summer.

Saturday was a jet lag day. Pretty much slept the whole time and Tyler did the things that Tyler does. I don't understand why he just doesn't want to sleep ;@) 

On Sunday we went to church and found that there is no international ward like we thought, but there is an English Gospel Doctrine taught for us and all the couple missionaries. The temple president, who is an Emeritus Seventy, was there on Sunday and he is very rigid and strict, but his wife was really nice. A missionary couple, the Rusts, from Vernal invited us to go an out city called Alcala after church so we decided to join them. Before going there we had to go and get some lunch because we didn't really have any food in our apartment so we decided to go to McDonald's (We tried the local food already ok?). Tyler, after ordering and all our food ready, was irritated to find out that this particular McD's did not accept credit cards. So he went off to search for an ATM and I stayed behind to let him vent his frustrations. The food was good and I remain firm in my conclusion that Europe makes the best American french fries. 

Alcala was a beautiful place. It is the home of Miguel Cervantes...Pop quiz: Who is Miguel Cervantes and what is he famous for? Come on people! Jackie should know this one...He is the author of Don Quixote de la Mancha. The Man of la Mancha! It was a beautiful city and very nice weather to walk around. The roses were nearly as big as my face and we took some pictures to show Lesli especially. One of the stakes of Madrid was performing in a cultural event so we went into an old cathedral and listened the concert. It was amazing and the acoustics were awesome. I will try and post a video clip. 

So that brings us to today and me and Nelson are at home doing laundry and going grocery shopping. Same old boring day in Madrid! Hope you all are well and we love you!