Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Groundhog Day has taken on a whole new meaning for me. While it traditionally falls on February 2nd, it feels as though the last 48 hours have blended together into an indistinguishable haze of monotonous routine. I ended “day one” by stumbling into a hotel lobby at the unholy hour of 4:30 AM, courtesy of United Airlines. Barely three hours later, I found myself back in a taxi, the city still shrouded in the soft glow of dawn, racing toward Reagan International Airport instead of Dulles, which had become the backdrop of my travel troubles.
As the taxi rolled through the quiet streets for the morning rush, my mind was busy texting our driver in Paris, ensuring our plans stayed on track, while also reaching out to my daughter, who was embarking on her own adventure to the picturesque town of Beaune. The arrangement was simple: Safari wine tours would greet us at the Paris airport and whisk us away to our destination in Beaune. However, as my flight delays kept extending, it became clear that the odds were not in my favor. Thankfully, Sarah was in the same chat group and managed to book a train to Lyon to meet our driver there. After a brief delay, she has settled into her charming Airbnb and is enjoying her first night in France.
Back on track?
My flight from Washington, D.C. to Newark was a breeze, a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous days. However, as I left for the hotel, I began to worry about my luggage at Dulles, where it had stayed since the early-morning rebooking, and the luggage claim office had already closed. Now, I find myself wondering if my belongings will ever embark on their own journey to France. A wait of one day is bearable, but two days would surely test my patience. Despite the fact that I haven’t even crossed any time zones, the lack of sleep has left me feeling as though I’m battling a fierce case of jet lag. Here’s hoping that sleep comes easily on this flight, as exhaustion has wrapped its heavy cloak around my shoulders.
As I sit here on the last evening of this incredible journey, I’m filled with a mix of emotions—excitement for the memories made and anticipation for the comforts of home. My ambitious goal was to share a blog post about each day of this adventure, and I’m committed to making that happen. However, I’ll be taking a short break to recharge in my own bed. Expect a series of thrilling updates next week, as I relive each moment and share them with you!
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