Running through Paris like a madman…

The start of my journey to the start of El Camino was straight out of the movie “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.” If you aren’t familiar with that movie it is basically a series of unfortunate events leaving you with an anxiety attack…

It all began when I got on the Paris train when I realized I did not have my credit card I used to purchase my ticket for the High Speed Train. You see, you must have the credit card in order to retrieve your ticket. I called to see if there was any way around it and nope! Turns out it is just a kiosk and there is no other way to get your ticket. And they also reminded me how CLEARLY it written on the email confirmation. This was my reaction: –_–

I jump off the train to return to my friend Charles’ place in order to retrieve my credit card and upon exiting the train I quickly remembered he was on his own train to Amsterdam. I had to wait another 10 minutes for another train to come, wasting precious time.

I had to cancel my original ticket, got a refund (minus a $20 fee.) I was told to just purchase a new ticket when I got to the station. I checked google maps and HOLY SHIT I WAS arriving at 12:23 and my train left at 12:28 on the dot.

Not to mention I get off the train and realized I got off at the wrong stop, 2 kilometers away. So there I was, already arriving with very little time to spare and was 2km away. This is when I started to run. I ran 2km with a 20lb backpack on my back. And let’s just say this wasn’t the part of Paris where you want to be running.

BUT I GOT THERE, and early, at 12:17. I franticly went to find a place to buy my ticket but couldn’t figure it out so I ran over to a train attendant and begged for help. She barely spoke English and had to find someone else to help. I was out of breath, sweating, panicking and in a foreign country.

BUT I DID IT, I got on the fuxking train. I had to spend an extra $60 Euros but I didn’t care, it was worth it. I immediately went to the bathroom and cried my heart out. But after 5 minutes of crying, I sat down and relaxed in my first class seat for a peaceful 4 hour train.

The rest of my day was delightful. Met 2 gentleman when I arrived in St. Jean Pied de Port who led me to a lovely albergue (hostel.) I got some food and headed to bed. The next morning I left for a steep 25 km hike through the Pyrenees. I would soon find out no amount of rest could have prepared me for that hike, and I’m a seasoned hiker.