Wake up at 5:30!!!! OUCH! I (I'm on holiday!!) But Beccs and Rich assured me this was likely necessary to catch the train I needed. I thought it a bit over the top, but as it turned out, they were pretty much on the money.

Once I make it to Kings Cross I turn the corner in the station to find St. Pancras International- BAM! And the line up to get in. Actually its security and border customs, I am going into another country. So like a good Canadian I line up and try not to get frustrated when the people ahead of me aren't paying attention and leave a gap waiting to be filled, (you know the kind, they are texting or something and not looking ahead to see that the line has moved 5 feet).

3 security checks are required- 1- validate your passport, 2- bag check & body scan, 3- passport stamp. Yup, in true French style, they didn't do anything quickly. Particularly my line ( and mom can attest to this), at borders its always slow.

However that did eventually pass and I made my way to my carriage and seat- all assigned- yay! I'm near the bar cart. I made use of the loo as we were running about 15 minutes behind for people stuck at the border-( more like the customs agents didn't work fasts enough and so the people were delayed), and got my first espresso and croissant.

My carriage partner (lady in the seat next to me) was a middle aged woman who didn't speak a word of English and managed to read a French magazine cover to cover- who does that!?

So now we're under way and speeding towards Paris. Because we go underground quite a bit my ears had some horrible pressure issues and I had to keep 'yawning' to clear them- it kind of really hurt! But I survived. Next stop- PARIS!!

I reach the Gare du Nord and navigate to Rue du Dunkerque where Vintage Hostel is located- my home for the next 5 nights. I found it using our tried and true way of navigating our ministry territories- are the numbers going up or down? Up, good. And suddenly, I'm there. I go in to find a small, very warm front desk. Directly behind me is the kitchen, sitting area. Marble floors with eclectic furnishings and décor are everywhere, and a lovely French girl named Annie is there to help me out. I check in, get my sheets and key card for the doors and head on up. Now there is an elevator, however its rather like tents- advertising isn't accurate. It said four person capacity- what it meant was 4 dead people and no luggage. But I squeeze myself and my 2 bags in there and make my way to floor 4. Only to find a room the size of mine as a child with 4 bunk beds and the tiniest en suite you ever saw!

Oh well, I guess you get what you pay for. And I paid 153 Euro for 4 nights- pretty damn good!!! I don't waste time though. I drop my things and I'm out the door to find my first Paris tourist destination.