CWT Journal – August 28, 2026 / Barcelona->Paris

Today was an odyssey in travel logistics. We left Barcelona early for Paris, and when our luggage somehow beat us to the baggage carousel, it seemed an auspicious sign that everything would go smoothly.

Alas, hubris.

We made our way across Paris to Gare Saint-Lazare, where Mom had an uncomfortable encounter with a group of vagrants while briefly alone. Navigating the enormous station proved confusing, and getting four people plus our increasingly burdensome collection of luggage aboard the train required some determination—but eventually we were seated and headed for Normandy.

As we approached Bayeux, we dutifully gathered our belongings and prepared to disembark. Unfortunately, French rail apparently considers one minute ample time for a family of four to evacuate a train with half their worldly possessions. Before we could reach the doors, they closed. Bayeux disappeared behind us.

So onward we went to the next station, disembarked, reversed course, and eventually arrived back in Bayeux. Our final logistical indignity was discovering that no vehicle large enough for all of us and our luggage was available, necessitating two Ubers to our rental.

Thankfully, the rental was fantastic, and a nearby restaurant provided the food and decompression we desperately needed. Over dinner, we dissected the day together—not to complain about what went wrong, but to identify what worked, what didn't, and what traveling the world was teaching us.

Days like today may be frustrating in the moment, but perhaps they're among the most valuable parts of this entire experiment. Adaptability isn't learned when the itinerary works; it's forged when the train doors close in your face.