Bonjour Paris!
What a
beautiful sunny weekend to explore historical and cultural highlights of the city
of love and light – Paris. Perfect for sightseeing, taking a close look at the
street art, strolling through the flea market, having a picnic in the park with
fresh croissants, baguette, cheese and red wine before joining the party. Until
Sunday afternoon that weekend was a story of success.
To be
punctual at the meeting point to get my lift back home I started my trip quite
early. But due to the Tour de France all entries of the subway were closed. Great! Accordingly the streets were closed for the
race and no public transport. After a while running through the cheering crowd a
French friend and I could find an entry to the subway making our way to the
meeting point. Time was running faster than usual and I was getting nervous as
I had to be in the office the next morning. After the arrival I was running up
the stairs looking for the black German car that was supposed to bring me home
safely. It was not here not there. ‘Maybe in the other street?’A time of
waiting began. With each minute that passed I got more and more worried. What
if… they don’t come… they want to stay longer… they went without me… can’t be. I was just 15 minutes late. My cell phone
malfunctioned – not for the first time…
Finally I could find their phone number
calling them to ask where they are. The answer dumbfounded me as they were
already on the way back home. They really left without me! It’s unbelievable.
Ok. No Panic! But fuck, I have to be in the office tomorrow morning!
After some
minutes of an emotional release I started to look for other options. The last
offered lift for this day was full, the train was already gone 5 minutes ago. A
bus ticket cannot be booked for the same day. Getting a rental car is kind of
expensive. Ok. The last chance was trying to buy a ticket for the night bus at
the bus station that was exactly cross-town of Paris.
The waiting hall was full
of tourists queuing up for their tickets. We asked at the information desk for
available tickets. “I am sorry. There is just one ticket left.” And that was
mine.
After the purchase I was released and happy for two reasons: firstly I
will arrive on time next morning and secondly I can enjoy the whole beautiful
evening in Paris. Therefore I invited my Parisian friend to an Italian
restaurant.
The bus was leaving at 11 p.m. and
arriving at sunrise in Essen where I
caught the train to the railway station I left my motorcycle at to drive to the
company. At 7 a.m. I started to work. My work mates were kind of confused to
see me that early on a Monday in front of the monitor.
“Ach. I couldn’t sleep.”
