This Paris postcard was sent to me by a girl named Zoe. Looking from the date, it is from 1998. As with everything with me, there is a story behind it :-). My best friend Steph and l had gone to Paris for a little vacation. In the good old days, you just showed up at a place and then found a hotel. Unbeknown to us, there was a huge, no make that massive convention/protest (never found out what it was!) in Paris! Traffic ground to a stop kind of thing. Impossible to get a cab, or get on the train. Maddening crowds. We were totally screwed. We ended up finding a room at this wickedly over priced hotel. If memory serves me right, the room was about the size of my thumb nail and cost us about $330 for the night! The room smelled and you had to walk on the bed to get to the minuscule bathroom. We were exhausted after our 3-4 hour search and went right to bed.
The next morning, we had a horrible breakfast at the little restaurant in the hotel. Till l die, l will remember the awful smell of the waiter. He reeked of cigarettes, stale sweat and had the foulest breath. I covered my face with the menu and held my breath every time he came near. It was the most unpleasant breakfast l had ever had. We then had to walk all over the city dragging our luggage, trying to find another hotel. I totally felt like a pregnant Mary looking for a room in Bethlehem ;-). Thanks to my really awful French and persistence, we finally found a small hotel that had one cancellation and boom..we were saved. It was also a couple of hundred dollars cheaper too.
One of the sights we wanted to visit was Claude Monet’s house in Giverny. He is by far my most favorite artist of the Impressionist era. We were just boarding the train when Zoe heard us speaking in English. She was an exchange student who had been in Paris for a few months, was missing home and very lonely. She was so relieved find English speakers. We asked if she wanted to hang with us since she was also on her way to the grand master’s house. She gratefully accepted. We had a blast in Giverny. I think we were all really emotional about seeing his home, his studio, the water lilies. All during the tour, they kept telling us not to touch anything, but as soon as the guy turned his back, l was touching Monet’s chair, his pipe..whatever was close to me. I felt terrible, but yet, couldn’t stop myself. We had the most amazing crepes next door to his house after our visit. Still the best l have ever had in my life. I had the orange marmalade. If you are a fan of Monet, you should visit his home in Giverny.
Once back to Paris, we took her out for some Mexican food and talked long into the evening. Even with the 12-15 year age difference, we found lots to talk about. We finished off the night by getting some Haagen Daz ice cream bars at one of the kiosks on the street. We were really happy that we were able to cheer her up because she had admittedly been feeling very depressed. She hugged us tightly when we finally had to say goodnight and goodbye because unfortunately, we had met her on our last day and we were leaving Paris the next morning. She promised to write, and she did. I found this while clearing out our storage unit. I know sometimes when one travels solo, it is normal to feel lonely. I sometimes wonder where she is and how she is. I hope she is doing wonderfully, and speaks French like a native :-).
Do you ever reach out to strangers? any wonderful or not so wonderful experiences to share?
What started as a horror story turned into something memorable. I remember those days Kemkem, showing up, trying to find a room. Often going to the tourist office where they would call around (like on a telephone…younger people probably shaking their heads at that..)
I have a Paris story. 17, my first independent trip (with a friend who was 18). We spent a month together in Spain but I said my goodbyes to him in Paris because he left a day earlier than I did. So I had a day to myself to see the city. I was under the Eiffel tower and saw this beautiful girl. I would usually have been too shy. Turns out she was Mexican and visiting family for a couple of months. She seemed to like me and ended up showing me around Paris the whole day…we ended up on a park bench somewhere but I finally had to leave because my room was at the airport hotel and I was flying out early the next morning. She was my first love…wrote her a few times but never heard back.
Anyway, that was my Paris story.
Frank (bbqboy)
Oh.you’re so old Frank :-). Hahah!!! Those were the good old days. In the storage unit, l found one of the things l kept of my dad’s after he passed away. It was one of the very first “cell” phones. This thing is humongous..looked like what they used in the TV show “M*A*S*H’ more than a cell phone and weighs a ton. Your story is lovely. I love the bittersweet memories that are imprinted. I once met this caricature artist at the base of the Sacre Couer who showed me his favorite bits of Paris. At 17, your heart must have been broken :-(. I totally love it, and l remember your picture at that age, quite a dashing young man :-). Thanks for sharing.
Oh that waiter sounds awful! What a lovely memory you shared. Reaching out to others can be very rewarding. It would be cool to see if you could reconnect somehow.
The waiter was truly awful. I couldn’t even enjoy the food. You know he smelled so bad. Even worse than the cigarette smoke in the restaurant, because in those days, everyone smoked (yuck!) even in the confined places. I tried to figure out her last name, but l can’t. I have googled all variations..but no luck. It would have been nice…18 years! It seems like yesterday.. :-).
Although I’m not the biggest fan of traveling solo, the beauty of solo travel is your never alone. I was scared to death when I took my first solo trip and it was in the United States. I met so many amazing people and ended up having the time of my life. It changed my perspective and made me appreciate my not so lonely solo travel.
Oh l am so glad that you found the courage to travel solo. It really gives you a chance to discover yourself without all the noise. The first time is always scary, but like you discovered, people really can be truly amazing. To hear you say it changed your perspective makes me feel so happy. I hope you keep doing it. I think it makes you stronger too truthfully. Thanks for the comment.
What a nice story, Kem! It also proves how beautiful a life of travel is and how many amazing experiences – that money can’t buy – you can get from that. I think that we are friendlier with strangers when we’re out of the country and this should be a lesson for us all to do that at all times: otherwise, we might miss meeting amazing people, even if it’s just for a few days.
Travel really is beautiful. It opens you up to so many different experiences which are overwhelmingly positive ones. I think that’s a good observation you made there about people being friendlier when they are out of their turf. I get sad when l see so many close minded, hateful people spreading their poison everywhere. It sucks that more attention is paid to them than to the majority of people who are warm, friendly and helpful. All we can do is keep trying. I was so glad we got a chance to meet her.
One of the things I love best about traveling is the ease with which a few quick sentences exchanged with a stranger can lead to sharing a sightseeing experience and even a meal. Love sitting at a table in a restaurant and striking up a conversation with the people at the next table or meeting people on a bus or train. Smiles and laughter and a new friend make those journeys stand out and the sights and landmarks fade to the background. Anita
Those sort of experiences, money can’t buy. Federico had to get used to me doing the same thing when l see people eating alone on our travels. I usually observe first to see if they want to be left alone. If l sense that they would like some interaction, l will smile and start the conversation. Solo travel is wonderful, but sometimes you do crave that connection. You never know what sort of little delights are in store. Yep..laughter is my ace in the hole..hahah! I always got into trouble with my mom because l laughed a lot and she would of course get madder. Everybody would get 6 strokes, and l would end up with 10 :-).
Oh that is crazy how expensive your room was, especially because it was so horrible!!! That’s so sweet that you were able to meet and connect with Zoe! I sometimes reach out to, and connect with strangers when traveling, but it never ends up forming a lasting bond, unfortunately!
Yeah..we totally got screwed as they had us in their grips. It was madness, and after walking so much, we were just happy to find a place. So glad you reach out too when you can, but you’re right..they rarely end up lasting, but it makes for sweet memories :-).
Wow what started off as a miserable trip turned into a memory you will never forget. It appears that you and your friend needed Zoe as much as she needed you. What a great experience that you can forever cherish. SN: The waiter and the first hotel sound awful from the description.
Siobhan
http://www.befreeproject.com
You’re right. I think l saw myself in her as l had traveled solo prior to that and know that sometimes you need that connection for just a bit. Till l die, l will remember that waiter. It’s just one of those things that is imprinted..yuck!
Thanks for sharing your memory with us. I happen to enjoy interacting with strangers.
Good for you. It is always fun meeting new people. I tend to be shy sometimes, but if l see someone who looks to need conversation, l always try and find a way to initiate it :-).
this is such a sweet experience. i can be shy and not so willing to talk to strangers. But there really are some nice people in the world, and when traveling, meeting new people can enhance the experience.
It’s hard for people to imagine me being shy, but l am. I smile a lot, but the shyness is there. If l were solo traveling, l won’t strike up a conversation, only smile. If however l am traveling with someone else, l feel much more comfortable striking up a conversation. Weird bu true..haha! It certainly does enhance the experience like you say.
Aww such a sweet story. This just made me think of my penpal from elementary school. She was from Hungary (can’t remember her name) and was so fun. I wish I had kept all of the letters we had exchanged (or remembered where I stored them).
Oh.. how awesome it would be if you were able to find the letters. I really hope you run into them one day. Those memories are priceless aren’t they and it would be fun to see what your travel dreams were back then and how it has since changed. I love your memory too and am glad this triggered it. Thanks for the comment.
I am terrified to travel solo!! Loving the backstory!
You shouldn’t be terrified, especially nowadays with the advent of the internet. You can find out so much pre-trip. You might also consider this website called Meetup. It’s a wonderful way to meet others with the same interests all over the world. You could start small, next town over..before you know it, you will be spreading your wings.. :-). Thanks for taking the time to comment.
When I traveled solo earlier this year I reached out to strangers, friends of friends I had never met, and had the most amazing time ever! It was great to meet up with and explore the city as a local. And being alone made me leave my comfort zone.
What a wonderful experience that must have been. You should be proud of yourself :-). The world is full of really nice people and sometimes stepping outside of our comfort zone helps us see that. I bet it motivates you to keep doing it doesn’t it? A lot of times, friends say they’ll go, but then chicken out in the end. You can either forget the trip or strike out solo. Solo is a better option :-).
Thanks for sharing your story!!I never been to Paris but thanks for sharing the good bad and even the ugly of your past experience even if it was over 20 years ago. Sometimes it is good to go back into memory lane and relive moments!
I sometimes think l live in the past :-). They were filled with great memories and times were a bit gentler then too. Hopefully the experiences l am having and sharing will be great memories further on down the line. Hope my memory is intact..haha! Thanks for taking the time to comment ;-).
What an adventure. I actually did talk to a stranger once. I flew on a plane for the first time in April last year. My mom and I flew to ATL. On the way we sat together but on the way back we couldn’t. I sat next to a nice couple who my mom insisted on telling them it was my second time on a plane. We chatted the entire flight back home and found out she was a hair stylist so we talked about my blog. So we keep in touch via our FB pages!
It all starts with a small step doesn’t it? Before you know it, it almost becomes second nature. Good for you. I think it’s so cool that you still keep in touch. Haha! I love that your mom put you out there..gotta love them :-). Thanks for sharing your story. I do wish l had kept in touch with her.
How sweet is that! I am an introvert, but I am trying to reach out to people I don’t know more. And the trip sounds amazing! I’d like to visit Paris one day.
I hope you get to visit. Paris is really amazing, food and the sights. That’s great that you are reaching out, it’s amazing what you get back. The world suddenly doesn’t seem as scary. Thanks for the comment :-).
I love those kinds of travel stories. I visited the Azores solo last year. While I was on a hike a met a native Azorean named Philip and his dog Scott. There was a bit of a language barrier but it wasn’t too hard to communicate. Meeting him and learning about each other made the hike that much more enjoyable.
That must have been a fun hike. I think sometimes we get intimidated because of language barrier, but there’s a lot to be said for a smile and miming :-). Thanks for sharing your story. The Azores is another place l want to visit..sigh..the list is as long as my arm.. 🙂