Picture This

I'm standing in the pouring rain, more than two hours after my arrival in Reims, soaked through and through, distressed because the car rental agency did not reserve an automatic for me, causing me to relearn how to drive stick in a chronically traffic ridden city in which I am unfamiliar, and a car goes straight through a puddle sending a wave of dirty water all over me. I wanted to cry, but I didn't. I also wanted to cry when I stalled out about eight million times in the middle of an intersection. I also wanted to cry when it took me over two hours to find my hostel. I can't wait for next week so I can look back on this and laugh. I'm certainly not laughing now.
Clearly today has been stressful. I ditched the car in a parking lot somewhere and decided no more driving for me today. I don't have any appointments (holy Mary, mother of God, the Lord is with thee) so I figure the best way to experience Champagne is to drink it. I just arrived downtown and found an internet cafe effortlessly. I have resolved to see the cathedral Notre Dame where all of the coronations took place even though it is raining kitties and puppies and walnuts. After that I intend on stopping in some wine shops to see what they have and perhaps dinner at one of the brasserie... or maybe just another dinner of baguette from the boulangerie. I know that's gross but I can't help it.
One additional note - French keyboards are very strange so if there any type-o's, use your imaginqtion.
Okay, adventuring to do!

corqdorq