thitherward

Even though I picked my rail route through Europe knowing that I wouldn’t be staying in any one city long enough to take in a the sights and culture, I had told myself that I wasn’t going to plan an hourly agenda and that I wanted to spend several hours in at least just one spot where I could absorb the local atmosphere. I’m finding that I really have to remember this, especially now that I’m having difficulty getting Couchsurf hosts who can/want to show me around. Many of the travelers I’ve met at hostels are also too busy with their own trips and schedules to take time to chat.

There are still a few exceptions, thankfully. All the locals that I happened to talk to were very friendly. I also had a wonderful conversation, with another traveler at the hostel, over a fantastic meal at La Cave Cafe in the Montmarte district of Paris. Even if it was only for dinner, it served to remind me that there are motivated, smart, talented, and kind people everywhere still. After dinner, I struck out on my own to see the tourist sites without the tourist crowds.

The combination of a cool summer night air, a friendly bus driver, quiet and safe streets, and Paris’ rich architecture and history made for a memorable stroll. The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame have teased me into wanting to come back again to spend more time in the streets of Paris.