Watery-eyed I left Barcelona, but I arrived in Paris-Beauvais ready for a new adventure. Although I chose to sit on the side of the plane opposite Paris, I was given an incredible view of the French countryside and even glimpses of the western, then northern coastlines. And so I became excited for France – yet another new culture and beautifully different cities and peoples. Adios Barcelona, Bonjour Paris!
When the bus reached the centre, I still had a few hours before Fabrice (another new couchsurfing friend) would be at home, so I walked up the street and shot the Arch de Triomph from all sides before heading back to find the RER (though not before watching tourists try to run through the traffic to reach the arch.. “woohoo!” they exclaimed, arms high in the air)
A train and bus ride later, Fabrice prepared a quick and simple quiche for us before taking me on a drive through the country in his Peugot convertible. The late sun was in our eyes, but it was a glorious evening so I wasn’t about to complain. He passed through small, old towns, and drove along narrow streets lined with small French mansions, in between sunny stretches of grain fields and hay bales.
Before returning home, we made one final detour to Versailles where he pointed out the Palace, and the gates to the gardens, and one of his favorite parks. What an introduction to Paris.
