Plan on waking early to get some coffee? Maybe run some errands? Forget about it.

It’s all about relaxing here, as far as I’ve seen in both France and Portugal. Most cafes don’t open till 11:30am/12:30pm and coffee shops (places dedicated to the bitter but smooth mental-stamina boosting elixir) are not common in Compiegne or Paris- A dilemma for red-eyed Amber at 5:30-8:00am with plans to grab a coffee and sit and write.

Not saying there are no coffee shops in Paris or France, but they are certainly not as popular as what you’d see in the States. In Compiegne, I’ve yet to find one.

Something I do love about the coffee culture here- espresso being the popular coffee drink of choice. Convenient for the high-maintenance, dairy-free people (I have a dairy allergy, okay?!) and easy on the pocket for us broke people. Can find it at any cafe, restaurant, bakery, or street corner bar. Since tips aren’t relied on as in the States, it’s easy enough to sit at any restaurant or cafe and sit with just an espresso or glass of wine. And I did mention, it’s cheap.

You’re looking at 0.50-1.80 Euros. Portugal’s espresso cheaper and better than in France (just a personal opinion). Besides drinking espresso with a friend, it’s common to have after a meal or just to keep you going through the day. In Portugal you’ll see people have 3-5 espressos a day. A shock to some, but a relatable trait for those caffeine addicts, such as myself, who drink about the same.

There are a few cafes in Paris I plan to visit. Soley for the fact some of the greats such as Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway sat in those same places to write. (Me planning my trip around bookstores, cafes, and sights frequented by famous dead writers? Pftt…yes.)

~

Stayed at Hotel de Flandre last night. Found a deal on booking, one night for $66.74, but the place usually starts over $80. Hostels are nonexistent in Compiegne so hotels are the way to go.

Hotel de Flandre has a breakfast (which I missed), wifi, and is in easy walking distance of both the train station and the town center. Not sure about the history or age of the hotel (realizing I should’ve asked the owners), but researching the place online turned up old black and white photographs of the hotel.

Hotel de Flandre wasn’t bad. Had an old charm. However, after arriving for check-in and taking in the long, dark hallway to my room, my paranoid, travel tired self could only think, ghosts.

This place is haunted, my inner conscience decided to bring up.

Shut-up! I snapped back.

But now the thought was there and growing. It grew enough I found myself sleeping fetal position, back to window, front body facing the rest of the dark, gloomy room.

Though no smoking signs were posted around the hotel and in the room, the smell of cigarette smoke wafted on and off under my nose. The downpour outside made the room muggy and the smell that much stronger. I tossed and turned with a clammy sweat. The rain and dark of the old room sending me into supernatural dreams. Luckily no ghosts, instead a match-up of a nightmare of the “ones in the sky” making me their next victim.

I didn’t think aliens were that scary until I dreamt of the unseen. Beginning to see things no one else could, leading everyone to believe I was crazy. Time freezing. Finding myself in places I wasn’t before. Lights in the sky before blacking out.

I can’t remember how it ended, but I know others, after witnessing the impossible, finally believed me about the “ones in the sky”. But by then it was too late. The “ones in the sky” were coming.

~

Do yourselves all a favor and memorize common phrases and words you’ll likely need before arriving in a foreign country. It isn’t enough to try to memorize as you go from a little book you carry on your person. It’s a hassle pulling out the book to find the correct word/phrase and wastes the time of the person you’re attempting to communicate with.

Memorize and you’ll avoid looking stupid.

I’ve managed to successfully look stupid five times today and it’s only 2pm.

Tried just now to order lunch at Le Saint Clair. French has some words that are similar to those in English and Spanish, being a Latin language and all. I saw grilled “Andouillette” on the menu and ordered it thinking, sausage.

Eyebrows raised, the server asked in French, “You sure?” (Assuming from context clues). He gestured for me to look it up. Internet wasn’t working, so heeded to his [warning] and ordered something else.

*Sidenote: jambon means ham and frites translates to fries.

Managed to look up Andouillette later. It’s sausage with pig intestines and tripe inside. Bit confused because it didn’t sound or look bad. Does it smell or have an acquired taste? I saw a couple of Americans complaining of it online. What’s the big deal? Someone French, please explain to me the legend around the andouillette sausage.

Then again, I’ve had an assortment of roasted bugs, blood sausage, chicken feet, beef tripe, soondae, fish eye, liver, chicken heart, bone marrow, chicken cartilage, etc. I might just have unique taste. I’ve been told I eat (and drink) abnormal things. I also enjoy the anticipation of flavor of any first bite of something I haven’t had before.

If anything, andouillete sausage has just been added to my list of odd foods I must try. Have to build my list with special cuisine from all over the world, as is the goal of any foodie.

Speaking of picky, had a BBQ family dinner at the hostel I stayed at in Faro, Portugal. One of the dishes we were served was a plate of chicken heart. They were passed between over 30 people, so wasn’t much to share. Was only able to grab a small spoonful.

So many people refused to try it, just because of what it was! Always blows my mind, refusing food cooked for you by others, and the chance to try something new you may love. China had a street food called 串儿 chuàn’r that ended up being one of my favorite snacks. It’s how I’d originally tried chicken heart, but my go-to’s of 串儿 were lamb and chicken cartilage.

Speaking of Chinese street food, I sense the workings of another food post. Oh China, I miss thee. Still my favorite country.