I spent my first day in Paris getting my bearings by walking instead of using the Metro. Carrying a 40 lb. pack, I figured I was ready for any of the recent ideas going through the heads of Lindsay and I, whether it was Norway’s arctic circle, the Alps, or Corsican beaches and mountain hiking.
I arrived on a red eye from JFK to the Parisian streets uncharted to me. Soaking in the architecture, culture, and beautiful people, I set out on foot to paint a picture in my head of the city’s neighborhoods. My Lonely Planet informed me that there was one, and only one location where camping is permitted within the city’s limits. Walking Northwest on Champs Elyses, I imagined this year’s finish to come of the Tour de France, winner sipping his champagne riding past the Arc de Triumphe. The directions took me through du Bois de Boulogne, which without my knowing beforehand, was frequented by prostitutes whistling in my direction. I watched couples upon couples entering the woods by way of the trail system. The description I had was a beautiful campsite filled with 400 tents along the Seine River.
By 11:00 the sun was setting into night and I had yet to find the legitimate campsite. Although the setting wasn’t my ideal camping setting, I was happy to have the opportunity in Paris of all places. Never finding the site, I set out to find another spot in the parc that was preferably not scoured with prostitute tp. After a few attempts of cowboying under bushes, I decided to walk around and enjoy city’s late night crowds. As the night grew longer, I began to feel an uncomfortable comfort given by the city. My old North Philly neighborhood may have left a bad taste in my mouth, but the increasing number of late nighters napping on benches was like holding my boo boo bear as a child. I decided to find a spot by Gare de Norde since I was scheduled for a train to Amsterdam at 7:25. I managed to find a spot away from the large crowd sleeping around the perimeter of the station that only had a hint of urine and slept in my liner tucked into the side of a building.
