Day 1 - A Search for Internet

August 19th, 2008:

As you know, we made it safely to our hotel the first day. But what you don't know is what happened when we got there:
Well, our concierge (also the hotel owner) was rather unwelcoming. I hate to say it, but he was just like those typical arrogant, self-consumed, womanizing Frenchman that you would see in the movies.
Being the unaccomadating person that he is, he wouldn't let us in to our room early. Instead, he insisted that we leave our luggage in the middle of the lobby and got mad when we loaded my computer and other valuables into our back pack. "I have been working here for 25 years - i know it is very safe... but do as you want," he said in broken english. I tried to explain to him that we were going to find a McDonalds and use my computer there (because they have free internet). Apparently, he didn't get it though because he laughed and said "typical Americans - you come to France and you get a cheeseburger."

Clealy, we didn't start off on the right foot.

Our luggage sitting in the lobby - how sad : (

Upon leaving the hotel, we went McDonald's hunting.
Surprisingly, my French classes paid off because i managed to successfully ask for directions and get us to the nearist Micky D's.
The first McDonald's we went to... (Oh yes, we went McDonald hopping)

The sign at McDonalds explaining how to use the internet. It ends up their connection wasn't working that day. Thus, we moved on to the next one.

Two things I saw on my way to McDonalds #2 that i found interesting:


A clothing store advertisement which says "Tonight, the Olympic flame is me!" and a public restroom that was on the sidewalk. These things are everywhere. I just think it's funny that they have restrooms every couple of feet around here and on the sidewalk no less.


McDonald's #2!!! Bigger, Better, but without any internet at all. Bummer.

Again, we resumed our search for internet.
On the way we saw...



A pug!! I asked his owner how you say "pug" in French but he was Czechoslovakian so he had no idea. (I know you all prob don't care about the pug, but my sister loves pugs so i had to put it on here). We also saw a gas station - i thought it was neat because it's not your typical pull-in, fill-up gas station. People just park on the side of the road and fill up their gas. I have yet to see a gas station like the ones we have at home.

After an hour, we gave up our McDonalds search and decided to get directions to the nearest cyber café. We stopped at this cute little restaurant called "La Marine." The woman there said "You're looking for internet? Come on in!"
So we did. We ended up going back there everyday and became quite friendly with the woman (who i think owns the place).

Here's some pictures:
Me in front of the café.

The doorway of the café (looking in at the bar)



Me eating a crème brûlée (burnt custard).
My dad at our table inside.


Café-owner woman!!!