I could use a little global warming right now. My flight back to Newark from Paris, via London, was canceled yesterday because Heathrow was closed due to a snowstorm. As I waited in line for eleven and a half hours to get a new flight, the snow moved south to Paris. British Airways gave me another flight this afternoon from Orly airport, on the other side of the city. With no money, no access to my bank card, and no telephone or Internet access, I felt pretty lost.

After trudging through the snow and dragging all my luggage through several metro stations, I made it to Orly – only for my flight to be delayed again because of the snow and ice. The only benefit from this whole situation has been to multiply my last opportunities to speak French, and to realize that without those language skills I would be much more lost right now. I got to speak with the people waiting around me in line – several French, some Americans, a bunch of other stranded students. I also talked to a shuttle driver who told me of his love for Mariah Carey and Britney Spears (and sang some of their songs for me).

Although I love Paris, I think I’m ready to go home (or at least to get out of the endless airport terminals). I had one last quiche and Orangina and spent my last few euros, but I kept the change. I’ll need it when I come back, whenever that may be.