02.16.2008
Day One:
The Flight

The ride to the airport was kind of sobering. Here I am on the wake of my first trip out of the country and I have no idea what to do when I walk into the airport doors. So of course, like rookie traveler, I step into line just like everyone else. One hour and fifteen minutes later I finally arrive at my departing terminal. Then it hits me, I am about to embark on an 11 hour trip. The longest I have ever traveled has been about 5 hours to NYC or DC, so I am not sure how this whole thing is gonna go.

Since work is footing the bill, business class is how we roll, so in this case its first class up at the front. I skip through all of the self paying customers to the front of the boarding lines. I quickly find my seat next to a pretty good looking mid-30s Asian woman, who turned out to be somewhat moody, but was also travelling to Toulouse. I soon find myself out of place with the rest of the crowd in the front of the plane with my UNDFTD shirt and AJ1s. The crowd is either super bougey or old, and I don’t look the part of either. However, the cat sitting behind me has some pretty dope plastic oakleys with the colored eye pieces, some super busy hoodie, and some pretty fresh Nikes, so that makes me feel like I’m not the only lucky or rich kid that got hooked up.

Let me tell you, I don’t know that I can handle flying coach again now that I have been spoiled with this first class treatment. Before I can even get my bags settled, I am greeted by a decent sized glass of champagne, which I promptly down to take the edge off a bit. After getting the important stuff out of the way, I start to check out the digs for my 11 hour flight. Nice pillow, blanket, and….menu? “I’ll take the risotto and chicken breast,” I tell the stewardess as she is taking orders for dinner. I am pleasantly surprised with the selection, and am looking forward to the ice cream after dinner and some breakfast in the morning. In a side pocket next to the seat, I found a bag with a ton of stuff in it, most notably, a new pair of socks, which have replaced my shoes for the rest of the flight. What a great idea! I can now take off my shoes without worrying that I will stink up the place with my Jays off! Geniuses! Also in the bag is some lotion, a toothbrush and toothpaste (thankfully), some face wash, and an eye mask. In addition to all of this luxury, I am getting lit up by the never ending glasses of Malbec (an Argintinia red wine) that seem to keep being poured and constant refills of some kind of really good nuts (they are warm and look like cashews, peanuts, and some other brown stuff).

Seriously, could life be better at this moment? The only way this could be topped would be if I had someone special to enjoy it with.

Dinner was pretty good, in fact, it is probably better than anything I will end up cooking in the work apartments on this trip. The starter was a house salad with some kind of Asian vinaigrette an a duck confeit with soba noodles and another kind of thai peanut dressing. It was interestingly good. It was a mushroom risotto with a good sized chicken breast and some potato like vegetables. The ice cream was good, but nothing special with a scoop each of vanilla and chocolate. I passed on the coffee to try to get some rest, and it definitely worked as I slept for about 7 hours I guess. I woke up to the lights on and us landing.

Day One:
Frankfurt

My first stop in Europe is in Frankfurt where I can get my connecting flight to Toulouse. I was a bit panicked off of the plane, realizing that every language being spoken right now is not English. I stopped at “A Perfect Day” for a cup of coffee, which was decent. My first exchange went pretty well, and the girl at the counter definitely appreciated my attempt at ordering. I have no idea how much change I received, but it looks right. Lol. Check out the Nike Store in the Frankfurt Aiport and the tight Mercedes Gull-Wing Off to Toulouse!

Day One:
Toulouse

Man driving in France just sucks. I have no idea where I am, and it’s a freaking miracle I can write this right now from the apartment complex!

It’s about 9pm over here, and I just got all settled and my clothes unpacked but I’m starving! So I’m going to talk a walk and try to find something to eat.

EDIT: Pics from the walk.

The McDonald's that saved my life tonight.