Thought I'd mention this here since it doesn't really relate to anything. At the French railway stations, before they make a PA announcement, they always start off with three tones. Now to me, those three tones sound exactly like the three tones that start Soulja Boy's "Crank Dat (Superman That Hoe)". As a result, every single time there's an announcement at the train station, I'm so tempted to yell out "NOW WATCH ME YOUUUU" and do the corresponding "interpretive dance". Fortunately, I have been able to resist humiliating myself in public, but in my head, I'm doing it.
Days 5 and 6: So it turns out that I ventured into the "bad" neighbourhood of Marseille yesterday. The hostel owner was showing me a map of the nice areas of Marseille where they've cleaned everything up, and it was in the oppoiste direction to where I went. Was planning to check it out this morning but I woke up too late and didn't have time. Although if I had known that my flight would be delayed then I would have gone to check it out in order to give me a better impression of Marseille. I also forgot to buy a postcard (I'm planning on getting one from every destination since they're a very cheap souvenir lol). But I guess Marseille wasn't really a nice place for me so I guess it's not really a big loss that I didn't get a postcard.
Had dinner with three Australians and one American. All girls. It seems that I have a knack for being in their dorms lol. Dinner was at a Moroccan place, which was quite interesting. Marseille is separated from Morocco by a sea so there's a lot of Moroccans in Marseille, as well as a lot of other Africans. I've never tried that type of cuisine before, and I guess for my first experience, I found it a bit confronting. Dessert was interesting. Shot of Baileys and lemon ice cream. Quite an odd combination but tasted really nice. All the girls were on exchange in France and were all fluent in French. Makes me wish I had gone on exchange in France so I could be as fluent as they were. Last night was pouring though, so wasn't fun waling from the hostel to the restaurant under one small umbrella. My whole right side was soaked and so were my shoes and socks. I only realised that I had my poncho in my bag back at the hostel when I was at the restaurant. Fail.
It was raining again this morning. Made use of the poncho that Donna, Janice and Linh got me. Served me well for that five minute walk from the hostel to the station. However, when I went to take it off, it ripped right down the side. It is now resting in peace in a bin at Marseille St Charles train station. As I said, I flew from Marseille to Madrid today on RyanAir. Plane was delayed because of the rain. Then there was some issue with a discrepancy between the number of people checked in and the number of people actually onboard, which took another half an hour to resolve. Once we were up in the air though, it was OK. Bought some of their overpriced food cos I hadn't had anything to eat all day. A sandwich, 150ml drink and some chocolate biscuits for 6.50 euros. Rip-off but at the time seemed necessary.
So I'm finally out of France!! I'm actually so happy that I made it out. It sounds like I'm a refugee or something, but nevertheless I'm glad to be able to travel freely again and not be at the mercy of the French. Trained it to Sol Station which is in the centre of Madrid. Found the hostel pretty easily. They have free internet!! Big plus!! Not sure who I'm sharing a room with but by the looks of their bags, it might be a guy and a girl. Also not sure what I'll be doing tonight. This hostel seems to be very young and there's common rooms everywhere. Perfect environment to meet fellow travellers, but I'm still finding it quite hard to talk to strangers. There's a free tour tomorrow organised by the hostel so maybe I can get to know some people there. In my Lonely Planet book, I've read that there's a very famous churros place just down the street which is open til 7am cos people always go there after a night of partying and drinking. Kinda like our version of a kebab lol. Will definitely be heading to that place a few times while I'm here in Madrid.
As for now, I'm just sitting in their internet area. I don't really hear a lot of English around me though. Lot of German and French though. Kinda hungry now so maybe I'll head out to find something to eat. Haven't really had much to eat today so I'll be looking to stuff myself on hopefully some yummy tapas.
HBL signing out from Madrid, Spain. Hasta luego!!
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