I always get lost. I planned to spend the day in Chartres. Leaving early and giving myself lots of time I grabbed my pre-paid tickets, slung my backpack over my shoulder and followed the spiral staircase that hugged me closely as I descended to the tiny foyer of my delightful hotel in Montparnasse. I had pored over google maps in my room that morning and found a way to walk the short way to the Gare Montparnasse, Paris, the local railway station.
Striding out boldly, I followed the directions on the screen of my phone. As I walked my eyes took in beautiful old gates and sweet little balcony gardens overflowing with flowers. The sun was shining and the trees showed off their brand-new Spring foliage. Shiny bicycles complete with baskets and stylish short-skirted young women atop them sped in every direction, skilfully avoiding the cars and motorbikes that darted wildly down the narrow roads. Everyone headed confidently to their destination. I turned into a street beside the railway embankment, feeling full of pride for my navigating skills and muttered ‘how good am I?’ to myself.
I kept walking, oddly there was no station in sight. According to google the station should be right there. Bloody google! It’s never right! I sauntered on, inwardly confident of my plan, but when the street turned into another road and the trainline veered away I stopped. My train was due to leave in twenty-five minutes. I had come to Paris just to see Chartres Cathedral, so it was unthinkable to miss that train.
My mind went crazy at that point, I silently berated myself, ‘I am in Paris, I am clearly lost, I don’t speak much French, there is no one around, and I obviously can’t read maps.’ Sweat started gathering on my neck and forehead, my heart began racing, my breathing was fast, my eyes clouded over and the panic set in. I cannot miss that train. Not knowing where I should go, I backtracked and walked so fast, I was almost running as I tried remembering the landmarks I had walked by. Up and down streets, turning left then right then retracing my steps looking for anything I could recognise. Nothing. I could feel the anxious dampness under my backpack as my mind offered me many mad and stupid suggestions about what an idiot I was.
It was at that point I spied the hotel just down the street on the opposite corner to where I thought it should be. Relieved, I walked towards it. Somehow, I had done a huge circle and landed back where I had started. ‘This could only happen to me,’ I sighed as I saw a taxi and hailed it. Thankfully the driver responded, I climbed in and requested ‘Gare Montparnasse s’il vous plait,’ brightly and sat back in the seat feeling relieved but hot, sweaty and frustrated by my experience.
Within three minutes we were at the destination, I paid the exorbitant fare and said ‘Merci.’ The driver looked at me quite bemused then drove off. I raced up to the station and was confronted by dozens of platforms and a maze of thoroughfares. I had not imagined anything like this. I had five minutes. I spun around to see if I could see anything that may help me. I checked my ticket, nothing. Taking some deep breaths, I decided to let my instinct guide me, that was all I had. I silenced my mind and repeated a mantra learnt long ago, ‘All will be well.’ I settled immediately.
As the train to Chartres pulled slowly away from the platform, I sank into my seat and watched the city disappear past my window. My instinct had not failed me. I passed the test; I had finally listened and could claim my reward. My hero’s journey complete I was on my way to Chartres. My Holy Grail now in sight.
Dreaming of handling Gare Montparnasse with confidence? Check out this guide first, here; https://www.raileurope.com/en-au/destinations/stations/paris-gare-montparnasse
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