Saturday 18th of September
My last hours before leaving were crazy-hectic. I was called for a last minute interview for a rather cool teaching position, for which I had 15 minutes to arrive to... I got there in jeans, a large sweater and with the last addition of my braces... which doesn't let me speak properly... I don't think they were very impressed (I know I wouldn't be). And... if they call me back I would have to return back to Spain way sooner than I would like to... So I feel 50-50 about this job. I won't think much about it. My dad wanted to take me to the train station in Hendaye this morning, right across the border. The trip should take around 30 min max, but he planned to leave two hours earlier... Which actually we ended up using because he got lost... I really don't understand how that happened... But now I know who did I get my lack of orientation from... and my extreme obsession to be on time everywhere.
I'm writing this in the French TGV, bordering the gorgeous French coast all the way up to Bordeaux.... It's actually a nice, comfy and very well color-coordinated train. Last time I did a long-distance trip in train across Europe was during the summer of 2005 (5 years ago?!!) when I went interrailing with my Danish roomie Selina. I remember how excited I was about the idea of getting stamps from all different countries (we crossed six) in my passport... which never happened because Europeans citizens can travel anywhere within the EU with their national ID – didn't even need a passport. Disappointing. Back to my point, the trains we used were actually rather rackety, old, and funny-smelling. So, things have either changed these last five years... or we were very unlucky with our train-selection.
Hmmm.... is it weird that I feel so homey at airports, train stations and other means of international-transportation? Although these last three months and a half in Spain have made me realize how much I like living in Spain and, how much I need to settle down somewhere for more than a year so that I can regain some sense of belonging... I think some part of me will always be desperate to jump in the next train or plane to somewhere far away. I'm stating to think that I also got that from my dad... I could see how his eyes lighted up when I told him we should meet up in Bordeaux to spend the day and do some sightseeing when I've settled down in little Brossac. Also, I think he enjoys a little too much sending me to ask random questions about anything and everything in French to random French people.
PS - Pictures from Bordeaux St. Jean train station.
