Baggage and Metro DO NOT MIX

This post should have been first, but at least you're going to get a feel for a very bad idea:

Baggage and the metro DO NOT MIX. When I arrived in France September 18th I was obviously completely out of it, out of my mind, and of course, running on hardly (if any) amount of sleep. I've decided for overseas travel to deprive myself sleep days before the trip that way I adjust to the time change of 9 hours quickly. And yes, it's a good idea, but only after the adjustment.

So, what I should have done upon my arrival was taken a taxi to the train station in Paris and then to Nogent. But, no, I decided I would take the RER train from the airport to the train station to save money. Well, I obviously neglected to think about what happens when you arrive in Paris and then need to take the metro to get to the correct train station?! Because with one big suitcase, a backpacking backpack, a carry-on, and a purse this was no piece of cake. Why? Because I'm only one person and there are stairs in the metro you idiot! That's what my name was for the day: Idiot!

However, the French are wonderful and ever so nice (as long as you attempt to speak French) and helpful, especially on this stupid day. My first encounter, a very tall, slender man who I thought might not be strong enough to pick up my bags picked them up, asked me where I was going and whisked my bags away with him, RUNNING, up and down, up and down the stairs I followed him. WOW! And thank goodness, relieved.

Then, I got to the train station, but of course you have more stairs to get out of the metro station and into the train station.....uuuuggghhhhh. So, because I didn't want to ask for help and was feeling absolutely stupid (yes, Idiot), I decided I would look like I was waiting for someone at the bottom of the stairs and after the traffic passed, I ran my bags one at a time up the stairs (yes, I'm sure I looked absolutely silly, but no one saw me). I did this at 3 different stairwells. Worked like a charm. Then, a girl about my age saw me and I asked if I needed help, okay, I gave in. She helped me and then walked ahead, only to see her come around the corner again to say that she was in no hurry and she just encountered more stairs. She helped me all the way to the train....phewwww.....

I was absolutely dripping sweat, exhausted, and in no condition for any other thoughts for the day.

I repeat: Idiot.