19/06
§§§translation in french§§§ --------------------------------------------------
J-0: The big day, Departure // Friday 19th June
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I'm fine. I'm going to England for two half months …easy…yeah!
Of course, I'm little scare but I like that. At the beginning, my father takes me to Lille Europe Eurostar station. It's my first travel alone in a foreign country. No problems in France of course, even in front the customs.
Small anecdote: the security is funny and they have a true behavior of macho. All it's okay, I'm not late: I read some prospectus for spend my time. I make the curious by listening and trying to understand the English conversation. Unfortunately, I fail but I don't care because my neighbor Gaspar (that I thought he was English) is a young French boy who goes to Ashford in order to make an international commercial stage. He is nice, so all the travel we have spoke and exchange email, phone number. I haven't forgot the (GMT) Hour of Greenwich: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, and London.
When I arrive to Ashford, I hurry because my next train is at 17:41. Second failure: I'm late for my train after ask my ticket to wrong welcome desk and find the self service ticket. A kind old lady helps me and told me where I have to go.
Great I understand a little. I follow her advice but English stations are weird.
I don't understand the information in order to go to London Waterloo East. Finally, an officer explains me that I have to take the train Charing Cross at 18:16.
It's right; I spend my time looking the map of all trains. Next, I wanted to phone to Keith and Karen in order to tell them that I will be late. Unfortunately, I can't phone. I don't understand: I haven't got signal, first idea: maybe it's because of the station.
Fun, I get on the train near the door, toilet and bicycles. I begin to write my diary. Information of travel: "The train is service to Charing Cross calling at Orrington, London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross. The next station is…". I decide to ask a customer why my phone doesn't work but I don't choose the good man (he is bit drunk). So, I don't have the answer still.
I'm looking the panoramic: the homes aren't original; they look like the houses of the Northern of France. In the town, the homes are terrace whereas in suburb they are separated. Sometimes I see green panoramic but there isn't field. No wonderful. During the travel, I speak a few: no it's really a few. In fact, the toilet (very big) doesn't work so I tell people it.
After I called them I wait in front of Hard stop for, the first meeting of my host family is exciting. I'm impressed at this hour, there are again a lot of pedestrian. Even a woman, who works for social service offers me a cup of coffee...well...It's made almost cold.
