20 June 2009

Days 27-29


Eiffel 3, originally uploaded by Ryan Runs Europe.

So, I arrived in Paris two days ahead of schedule...and as I promised the doctor back in Arras, I took a few days off. This trip is all about taking time to smell the roses...or in the case of France, the rosé.
I was pretty excited to have a little break in Paris, and to see some familiar friends. I had been banking on staying comfortably with my friend Chris, who on several occasions has called me last minute and asked to crash on my floor...where he has stayed for several weeks. When I arrived, however, he informed me that he was staying with a host family, and that he hadn't asked if I could stay. He eventually got permission for the first night, but for the two following nights I was in a kind of strange limbo where neither of us really knew if it was alright that I was staying there. I had not washed my other change of clothes, and because I didn't run the day after I arrived, I just wore the same clothes into the next day...and the next day.
I spent my time going around to many of the sites that I wanted to see again, or missed the last time I was here (apart from Rome, Paris is the only point on my route that I have ever seen before). I went up to the top of the Arc du Triomphe and the Eiffel tower, through the parks, the Centre George Pompidou, and Notre Dame. Actually, thinking about it today, I think that the top of the Eiffel tower is the highest I have ever been on a man made structure...having never taken the time to go up the Empire State Building in New York. It was awesome.
On Thursday night, I met up with Jordan and Maya (friends from school), and we ate some bread and cheese, and drank a couple of bottles of wine on the Pont des Arts, which to my knowledge is the only place in Paris that you are not allowed to drink in public. Later in the evening, I went out with Chris and his friends, who had all finished their last day at the Stanford study abroad program. I spent most of the evening being the guy in the group who couldn't get into anywhere because he was wearing running clothes. "This is not a bar for jogging," the bouncers would say. It didn't help that I smelled pretty bad as well. Everyone felt bad for me, but for me it was just funny to be "that guy." We all finally got into some places, and had a wonderful time mixing alcohols and wandering around in the street. The thing about Paris (unlike New York) is that the trains shut down...so if you stay out until one, it means that you really have to stay out until 6, until everything opens again. We did this. Another thing about Paris is that it is full of random, seemingly functionless poles which line the road. Around chest height, the only function I found in them was that of something to jump over while intoxicated. This I did, until I racked myself and let my hip break my fall. No more pole jumping, but the night moved on towards my running around a Parisian rooftop in my socks. The hip still hurts.
I woke up this morning feeling surprisingly good, and went out to find a new pair of shoes. I found my Adrenalines (in yellow this time) at a store named Jogging Planet, and putting them on was like stepping on clouds. I have put 684.9 kilometers on my shoes, not including the walking in town once I arrive, or the mileage I had on them before I left. Feeling the comparison, my old shoes felt like they were made of rock. Only having one pair of shoes definitely decreases the lifespan of the shoe, as the foam never really has time to expand between runs. I feel bad to get rid of the shoes I have, knowing how far they have brought me...but this trip is forcing me to fight off some of my pack rat tendencies.
I also did my laundry, where I sat barefoot for an hour watching my clothes roll around. Now I'm sitting in a cozy apartment, getting ready for the days ahead with some quality rest. There is so much to see and do in Paris, it could take me years. I'm happy with just glazing the surface for now, and heading back into the country. In the morning I will head towards Brie-Comte-Robert, where I don't yet know where I will sleep. So it goes.

64 comments:

  1. Wow, awesome travels. Good luck in finding a nice place to rest your head.

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  2. hi Ryan, I have nominated you for the lovely blog award. I think the photos are fantastic and love hearing about your travels. Pick up your award at:
    http:cheap-scrapbooking-ideas.blogspot.com

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  3. Very cool project and blog. Keep up the pace and be safe. I'll be in Paris in August for the first time and am so excited.

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  4. Wow, you have a cool blog Ryan! Love ya!

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  5. Man, it sucks we ended up not meeting up. Maybe somewhere else down the line? Keep it up!

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  6. If u can try and see the Louvre... Its crowded but well worth it.. too bad u had to experience that uncomfortableness of whether your stay was welcome or not... well what's done is done... enjoy Paris... its a once in a lifetime moment..

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  7. Congratulations on being Blogs of Note! Completely well deserved! Very nice blog! :)

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  8. I had good times in Europe. I hope yours is wonderful!!

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  9. So Do i!! I ENVY your travels.!!!!
    Amazing pic though!! Njoii!

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  10. I know someone in Grenoble.... I wish you were going closer to there... I think this is an awesome adventure, the sort of thing I wish I was brave enough to do.

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  11. I like your blog. Very nice blog.

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  12. yes, we must visit Eiffel Tower when visiting Paris.

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  13. Beautiful photo of the tour Eiffel :)
    You should visit my blog, it talks about french food, i give recipes and all ^^

    And sorry for my english ><
    Byee (k)

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  14. Beautiful post and thanks for the tour.

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  15. Hi! I'm stopping in via the Blogs of Note (congratulations by the way!0, and may I say your project is amazing! Congratulations on the endeavour and best of luck finding places to stay along the way! ;o)

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  16. Hearty congratulations on winning Blog of Note! That is wonderful, and after having looked around here I sure can see why they selected you. Enjoy the heck out of Paris for those of us who can't be there! Cheers to you.

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  18. Ryan, great job making it thus far. I was telling your crazy story the other day flying back from Italy! Anyway, I hope I will be home to meet you for dinner or something in Germany. When do you expect to be there?

    Steve Montgomery

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  19. Europe ... sigh. I was in Paris once and loved it. If I were 22 and free, without a house, kids, etc., I would do it your way (but probably driving .. I'm not that talented of a runner). Good for you for doing this while you can! Very cool blog.

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  20. Lovely pictures, reminds me of "Into the Wild" and journeys of Chris McCandless.

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  21. That picture is amazing. I'm pretty jealous, no lie.

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  22. hello friend. I introduce my name Smithe, I want to come and are exchanging links with friends. if the friend agrees to exchange link with me. if the friend wanted to leave a message exchange links in comments only, please do not leave in the later Shoutmix quickly lost .. okey friend?

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  23. Hi Ryan, Just checking in and see that good fortune continues to shine on your adventure. Of course I have no clue about any of the architecture references but the blogs of random bar hopping (and random pole hopping) brings back sweet memories of youth...though my journey was via hitchhiking (before one worried about serial killers and white slavery) and eurail pass.

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  24. Ah, youth! You are living everyone's fantasy life right now. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. You are so awesome... I've always wanted to do something similar, but have yet to find the nerve. Thank you for sharing!

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  26. Found this on the Blogs of Note and just want to say you have an amazing blog with a fantastic subject!!
    While I couldn't run to my local park, let alone around Europe, I see the traveller's bug in both of us. It's a dream of mine to travel as you are, a different place every night (wow, you've been lucky ;P) and I just wanted to let you know I'm following your progress avidly. Hope all the hip and shin pain goes soon :)

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  27. You run from Amsterdam to Athens? Isn't there any train or flight? ^^

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  28. Your stories are delightfull, and are inspiring me to do the same, but in South America. Wow, a wonderfull trip it would be.

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  29. If I had seen your blog earlier I would have let you wash your clothes at the apartment in Paris where my sisters and I are staying for the month of June. Love the blog and bon voyage!

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  30. Hai Ryan,
    Ik had je webpagina bekeken..
    Ik zag dat je in Amsterdam begint met lopen en verder door Europa loopt. Als je Amsterdam in begint met lopen ga ik ervan uit dat je een Nederlander bent. Nou ja dat hoop ik dan..
    Dan kan ik hier in iedergeval een soort van lotgenoot vinden XD. Ik loop ook (nou ja,lopen.. het is meer atletiek) dan wel op een rode atletiekbaan maar ja..
    Ik heb gelukkig nog een Nederlander gevonden tussen alle Chinezen, Brazilieanen en canadezen. Heel leuk en fijn om je reis door Europa te volgen...
    En je hebt ook al heel veel lezers!!

    Succes met het lopen en schrijven van je berichten in deze blog. :D

    Groetjes Karlijn...

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  31. Uhm, I actually don't know if you're Dutch. Because i wrote my last comment in Dutch...
    Sorry for that..
    Haha, are you actually Dutch or American?

    Greets Karlijn

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  32. Hey, I found your blog via googleblog and read your whole trip. What you are doing is awesome! I run in college too (nowhere near your lengths), and have lived near Paris (Saint-Germain) for a couple years, so I am glad you are getting to see all these amazing places! It sounds like fun. I will keep checking each day because this is the most interesting thing I've seen online in a long time!

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  33. wow this was a sick idea to do this. this is like my dream hah.good luck with the rest ill be checking back for the pics. again this is sweet

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  34. What a great trip!
    I don't know where you are heading next, I guess it's not north, but if you need a place to crash we have a second bedroom here in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. And we have a washing machine. :)

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  35. So glad I stumbled upon this, thanks to a link from Blogger's newsfeed (whatever you call it). I'll be following for sure; what an amazing story. Has any news crew picked you up yet?

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  36. It seem a wonderful time for you.

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  37. hey ryan, your blog is amazing..
    i loved your trip

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  38. awesome blog man, sounds like your having a ton of fun... bring me next time :P

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  39. living here in athens, greece am looking forward to welcome you.

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  40. A very innovative blog. You must be having the run fun and letting others to join you, too. Please keep on running.

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  41. Paris is one place I dream to visit someday. Wow, you take nice photo of the Eiffel Tower...

    That's quite an adventure you're doing right now. I'd like to do the same too. But since I'm overweight and might injure my knees in running, I'd rather use bicycle to tour around Europe.

    I'm envious with your adventure ;)

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  42. Wow, found you on blogs of note, and sure glad I did. What you are doing is amazing, and I look forward to keeping up with your journey! Have fun, good luck and run hard! - Amy

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  43. Just found you on blogs of note. This is awesome. I will be reading as you continue. I spent Jan-May in England and was lucky enough to travel around Europe. Make sure to get to the Rue Cler in Paris. It is this fabulous street with fresh fruit and wonderful cafes. It is not too far from the Eiffel Tower (if I remember right). Also, my favorite museum was the Orangerie. If you are into Impressionism, that is the place to see the most famous works (including Monet's Water Lilies). Just my two cents! -Jessie

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  44. oh how i would love to be in paris!
    rimaandowl.blogspot.com <- personal blog, i post artwork, photography, and well my life story.

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  45. what a great challenge trip! i don't know where you are heading next but.. wish you all the best and good luck...

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  46. Run Ryan Run...I'm so jealous but thank you for letting me live vicariously through your blog!!!

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  47. Nice blog! I enjoy your writing and the uniqueness of your trip. It's amazing, makes me wish I were a better runner. Have fun. And remember to take in everything, it's the little facets that make the diamond shine.

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  48. Hey son, I am lost in the bottom of the list!! Congratulations on Blogs of Note...amazing!

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  49. awesome .. would u decide to run south east asia? i'm living in Indonesia ..

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  50. You should run around everywhere! Make it your goal to run in every continent.

    I'm so glad I found your blog, it makes my day. You're so motivated, it's definitely an inspiration.

    Good luck in your endeavors, I'll be sure to follow up on blog. :)

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  52. So I'm in Doha right now, searching for a way to run in this crazy 108 degree heat. I even tried googling marathons... but I guess no one else is really crazy enough to run here. Which means, lots of treadmill time for my legs and my sense of boredom.

    I just stumbled on your blog (cheers blogs of note!) and felt awfully inspired by your crazy trek across Europe. Makes me want to tug out my running shoes and! ..not.. hit the treadmill. Oh well ;)

    Good luck.

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  53. i like your blog because your's content important to my life

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  54. paris looks amazing!
    What a fantastic journey you're making!

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  55. hi i am new here. but i like reading your blogs it's really cool!

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