On the road, all by myself.

I left right after work. I was really excited and a little nervous, after all it was the first time I traveled alone. Since I'm from Belgium, I had to go to Brussels first. Like always I overbooked on travel time, so I was way too early. So I went looking where my train would come, drank a coffee and stood there, waiting and waiting... Finally on the Thalys I hurt my back, my luggage was a little too heavy. As soon as the train left the station, stewards came with delicious snacks. I hadn't eaten yet so I was really happy to see them. I even got two.

It felt like I was in heaven until the speakers went on: "Ladies and gentlemen, because of traffic, the train will have a delay for at least 20 minutes. We apologize." and then I was like: "Oh no...". Normally I'd had one hour to switch stations. Now I had only 40 minutes, if I was lucky. Fortunately my friend, whom I was visiting, was on Facebook (I didn't have her french cellphone number yet) and she told me almost everything I needed to know. And also a small detail I didn't like to hear, it would take at least 40 minutes to get to the other station. 

So, in Paris, I had to run as fast as I could with luggage. I caught the subway just in time. On the subway there were some really nice people whom helped me getting off at the right stop and told me how I should run to the station. I had to run a mile avoiding tourists. Finally in the station I felt helpless. I didn't see anything that could indicate me to my train so I ran to the first shop I saw with no customers waiting and asked for help. You can't imagine how happy I felt when I saw trains, lots of them but now I was close. All this time I haven't looked at my watch, I would have been more nervous if I did. And then, I saw it, the TGV I needed to catch. Yay! If I'd had more time, I would have done a happy dance. All red and sweaty, I stepped on the train, searched my seat, putted my luggage above my seat and smiled. I made it! When I looked at my iPhone and saw I had another 10 minutes I was relieved. 

Now I was in for a two hour drive to Rennes.