24 hours of transit, another story altogether

Zach Abubeker January 6, 2014

So after I caught the train from Angoulême I had what I like to call a ‘pre-layover’ in Charles de Gaulle. This was pretty chill. Not extremely comfortable but I was left alone. I had a nice setup as well.

Zach's portable buggy life:

Shit was pretty dope actually. Watched some movies and ate mad food that Anaïs mom made me.

Next morning I caught Saudia to Jeddah, where I had what I like to call my ‘post-layover’, about 12 hours spent in the terminal, of which we could not move out of. Think of confining over 1000 people at times more, to a room the size of half a football field.

In this situation I would have said ‘yea sure’, lets just leave the airport, right? Wrong buddy its almost impossible to get a travel visa in Saudi Arabia. You have to layover for over 18 hours. Thinking of visiting? Also really impossible they don’t really give tourist visas.

I would have gone to have a swim in the Red Sea, but apparently there’s a giant wall blocking it, from my inside information from a guy who’s been living there for 2 years. He says it isn’t too hard to get in you just have to have your passport and if you're American they wave you in. Thinking of going as a Saudi Arabian citizen? No that’s prohibited.

Saudi’s also apparently hate to work. Most of the labor force is Pakistani, Nepalese, and you guessed it Ethiopian. Though the Ethiopian maids are being made to leave after too much controversy and their poor treatment by the Saudis. Which is also happening in other places, like Lebanon.

Anyways my boarding time finally came and I got on the plane. It was mostly empty, and I think in fact that there were probably some maids there on the plane with me. Took a bit of a nap and woke up in time to see the entry to Addis.

Addis from above, you can see the crazy amount of condos up.

Of Angoulême, fatty livers, cheese, and bon pain

Zach Abubeker January 6, 2014

The next few days we spent in Angoulême. Went round to see a market – though a bit too late. Found a cool old door, oh yea and this castle. Anaïs’ mother works in a Mediatheque – she is the manager and set it all up, it is nearby so we visited that one as well.

Apparently Brad and Angie visited not too long ago and had dinner at a restaurant across the square. No one recognized them.

We then when shopping – also happens to be Anaïs’ temporary workplace, the U.

Looks like something out of a movie wot. Or at least a tv series

We got back to Torsac and took a walk around the village. Its super small – and pretty spread out, roughly the population of about 600 people. There is an old chapel and some cows basically.

Where people used to do the washing of laundry.

After dinner – again amazing, we went into town to meet some of Anaïs friends. We also happened upon some French rap. After the bar we went to Illiana's house.

Here’s some weird pics from chillin.

Next day we had some more amazing food: foie gras and a really nice stew with rice. After we walked around Angouleme with Manon (sister) and Illiana. And I caught the TGV around 6pm. Scored heavily on this French trip - mad food and great company. The more I travel around Europe though, I just want to rent a car and take it through all the small towns. They seem to have the most character and they fit my style a bit more. I like a nice slow pace and relaxing atmosphere. Maybe its just because I'm on some kind of holiday. But research too!

Parting pic, me alongside 3 generations of Anaïs' family. That's gran on the right, still going stong and driving at like 83 years.

Onto Bordeaux

Zach Abubeker January 6, 2014

Most of my time in France was spent in the south near Bordeaux and Angoulême.

Following the wine bar night I took took a bus ride with Anaïs, another friend from Ethiopia. We left from Bongolet, the Eastern edge of Paris for Bordeaux where she used to go to school and currently friend Ezana is living still.

Dude to the left loved angry birds though he really sucked at it. Girl on the right would not shut the hell up - talkin in some crazy W. African slang driving me crazy holmes.

Some creeped out restaurant we stopped by.

Next day we walked around the city. First had to stop for a nice crossant in this chill bakery. Walked also along the longest street in France (Europe?) and of course it’s a shopping corridor.

Opposite the Grande Theatre sits likely the most expensive hotel in Bordeaux.

After meeting Anaïs' friend for an amazing lunch we walked a bit more. I grabbed one of these pastries specific to Bordeaux. It was ok – bit too carmely for my taste. Walked to river and old slave market.

Standing along Pont de Pierre. Anaïs seems enthused.

Later we drove about an hour to Angolueme – more specifically Torsac, which is where Anaïs mom lives. She had dinner prepared, which consisted of quiche and soup (let the French feasts begin).

Quiche Lorraine

A couple of nights in Paris

Zach Abubeker January 6, 2014

When I first arrived in France I spent two days in Paris at an “Air-BnB”. This is a kind of new phenomenon where someone will put their apartment up for rent for a number of days – usually at their discretion. We grabbed a place for 2 nights near Bellville.

First night we took a walk around the area and near a 'nice piece of canal'.