Day 3: Sunday, July 12, 1998

The plane trip to Paris was great. There was no turbulence, we got a decent meal (chicken), and two complimentary drinks (it turns out all drinks during the trip were free). I ordered a screwdriver and the small bottle of red wine. I got two hours of sleep.

When we arrived at the airport, they let us out on the tarmac and bussed us to a cool baggage claim building. Though I hadn't checked my backpack, I was worried that the others (my friends) would have problems - they didn't. Took my first euro-shit and it was private (the stall walls went to my ankles (which I liked)). When we got to the train station, we were informed that a bomb was just detonated (though contained), within the station. Anyway, we got to Paris easily. From the station, we stopped at a cathedral, St. Denis. Sam and I walked inside, and it was dim and cool. Impressive size, a lot of stained glass had been lost and replaced with plain windows. Altars had paintings in them. There was a beautiful park adjacent to it with fountains and green grass. While we were in the church, Eric and Bill were offered pot. Dave was MIA at the time. From there, we walked to the Louvre, and through some statuary park where the dust from the main path flew into our eyes due to high winds. At this tired point, we decided to find a hostel so we could unload our bags.

We went back the way we had come, then North to rue St. Martin. There we found the recommended travel office closed. We ended up deciding to hit the train station to the North. But, we only made it to the Liberty Hotel, practically in the shadow of the Gare. $16 per person was good for us. We dropped our stuff on the 5th floor and hit the streets looking for dinner and World Cup '98 action (Viva la France!)!

On the walk downtown, we passed a fight between 3 guys (it appeared). Some guy was hit in the face, another knocked down into a bus booth. A girl was shoved. When the big guy started to leave, the skinny guy ran after him (quietly) and jump-kicked the guy in the back, then shot him with mace.

We made our way to a large traffic circle with a large column and statue in the middle. There we stayed until France beat Brazil. Then, like I expected, people took to the streets. Ever since we arrived in the afternoon, people had been waving flags from cars, honking horns, and wearing face paint. The celebration took to the streets and we began to march along, further South. There were fireworks and drinking in the streets. People didn't seem to mind the M-80 explosions going on around them. We went past the park where the jumbo TV screen was set up. There was a lot of trash. It would have been fun to watch the game there. We continued, and saw chanting and fire trucks with so many people on them that you couldn't see the truck/ladder. We took the subway home that night. Sam saw roaches and a mouse dash from his room. Luckily, I was in another room. What I forgot to write: In the statue park, Eric got a shit dropped on him from a bird. It was really funny, especially since he had been on the offensive about my musky odor. We were walking through a narrow street/alley and some guy threw a small firecracker at another guy. I saw it hit his arm and then the ground. I stood a foot away when it went off and heard instant ringing which dissipated after 20 seconds, luckily. On the subway ride home: a loud, black, French girl had an M-80 which she tossed out at a stop. By now I was shell-shocked and knew to cover my ears. Some woman stepped right over it before it went off loudly. I'm impressed so far with our ability to get around, though mostly on foot. I'm comfortable with my pack and its weight and size. Hopefully, this endurance/energy will keep up. We walked at least 5-6 miles today since we didn't know what the hell we were doing.

Quick Bios | Table of Contents | Next Entry