All alone in Paris - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

carol. · 02-20-2006, 01:32 PM

Please help... Im in Paris on my own and its my first night and Im feeling really really lost....

Is there anyone outthere whos in Paris and wants a travel buddy for a week or two????

**space virgin** · 02-20-2006, 01:46 PM

Aw, I wish I was there!!

Hang out in the common room in your hostel, you're bound to make fast friends with all sorts of interesting people!

Failing that, Paris is full of lovely places to wander around and look at... take some pictures, have a pain au raisin or a croissant and bask in the lovely Parisian vibe.

Good luck!

**omisan** · 02-20-2006, 06:29 PM

SV is absolutely wrong - you need a pain au chocolat

Hang in there... like SV said, Paris has loads of places to just walk around and look at. I spent about half my time there solo and had a blast. If your hostel doesn't have a common room/bar, just walk around the many bars around St. Michel/St. Germain. There are a lot of traveler friendly bars in the area and you can quickly make friends with people who'll share a drink with you, at the very least.

**tumblezweedz** · 02-20-2006, 11:03 PM

As Omi said, SV is wrong. Chocolate is clearly the solution to your dilemma.

I had a similar reaction on reaching Paris, everyone had been telling me for so long how much I'd love it, but I didn't right away and felt really disconcerted. Eating alone can be really uncomfortable, so be sure to take a paper, a book or a journal along with you to a nearby cafe on a bustling street. Grab yourself the indispensible pain au chocolat and whatever you like to drink with it (I'd go full bore with a chocolat chaud, but that's just me) and sit at a table and start reading. My waiter was quite a flirt...

Give yourself a little time, you'll meet someone to chum around with soon, but in the meantime go and see all there is to see on your own. Once you get into the swing of things, you'll be having such a great time you won't even notice that you're alone. And then, all of a sudden, you won't be. Hang in there.

**space virgin** · 02-21-2006, 12:11 AM

Okay okay, gosh. Get the pain au chocolat.

And there's a chocolate one with pears too, forget what it's called but

**tumblezweedz** · 02-21-2006, 04:52 AM

Good girl, there's hope for you yet, SV!

Raisin, indeed!

**elfmaiden** · 02-21-2006, 09:10 AM

OMG I so have to agree with everyone. Find some great finger food and wander the city, it's so pretty and the people are well. Unforgettable. :D

I mean if there is nothing else to do, go to the Louvre and take in all that history and beauty! I spent a day in there and I think I managed to do like 1% of the place.

Also a nice idea is to to do one of those little boat cruises around the canal. It's a great way to see the sites from a different angle and even if you go by yourself, it's really fun. I met some people on it too!

Jenn

**tumblezweedz** · 02-21-2006, 08:54 PM

Carol, Carol, are you okay? Let us know how you're doing.

**travelpunk** · 02-21-2006, 10:08 PM

If you're feeling like meeting others who speak english to keep you company, you can always go to the nearest Irish pub or internet cafe. They're often filled with english speaking students and travelers.

Or, just locate the 3 Ducks hostel. They have a bar and the backpackers that stay there usually hang out there.

Keep an open mind and remember that you're there to discover new places and things.

We're here for you, so hang in there and you'll hit your stride at some point

.

JeanB · 02-24-2006, 08:00 AM

The fact that carol hasn't replied would indicate one of two things

(1) she's dead
(2) she is now very happy and has met wonderful people and simply can't find the time to waste on such internet geekery.

My money is on (2)
good for you carol.
enjoy yourself, europe is a wonderful little place.

**MeTurk** · 02-24-2006, 08:47 AM

I think the 3 ducks is probably been shut down by now.

They got a load of complants from the locals.

If not go there I can't remember the bartenders name but he's a paddy, just make sure to watch where your going so you don't fall through the trapdoor like some poor girl did while I was there.

Best bar in town though €3 a pint.

**Esterina** · 02-24-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JeanB@Feb 24 2006, 11:00 AM
The fact that carol hasn't replied would indicate one of two things

(1) she's dead
(2) she is now very happy and has met wonderful people and simply can't find the time to waste on such internet geekery.

I always wonder about those ones posting in the Help ASAP forum and who never ever show up again...

carol. · 03-02-2006, 12:49 PM

Hey Guys, I'm so sorry I haven't replied sooner but to be honest I've been too ashamed to even log onto the website!!! I completely bailed on Paris and came home. It was horrible, I was in the worst part of Paris ( fair enough I'm only guessing as its the only part of paris I've been in). The hostel I was staying in didn't have a common room so I didn't have a chance to meet other travellers and i was on the opposite side of the city from the 3 ducks I really didn't know how to get to it from where I was.... The room I got smelled like piss even though it didn't have a toilet in it!!! There was a big bag of vommit hidden in the room along with some green mouldy food hidden in different parts of my room. I didn't really mind that too much as I was in the most romantic city in the world, I thought, who cares what my room is like I can walk and explore and sit in cafes and read and write, how wrong was I.... I was nearly robbed... I know I sound like such a wimp and a moan but I couldn't handle it and I came home. Thank you so much for all your replies and helpfull advice, I really apprieciate it. The good news is I'm not giving up on travelling. A friend and I are heading to Carcassonne on Monday and starting a brand new fun trip from there which I can't wait for. I feel so crap about not being able to handle travelling on my own, maybe after travelling with my friend and getting some first hand experience backpacking I'll be able to venture out into the big bad world solo. Cheers again for all of your help guys.
Carol

**omisan** · 03-02-2006, 03:03 PM

sorry to hear about your Paris experience... good luck in Carcassonne! (Hmmm, can't spell that without "carcass")

**space virgin** · 03-02-2006, 03:36 PM

^ Or "ass".

I'm sorry you had such a rotten time in Paris.

But I have a feeling you will really like Carcassonne... I haven't been there but I went by it on the train and it looked lovely!!

**mowark** · 03-02-2006, 05:02 PM

Yeah, don't feel bad on giving up. It sounds like a pretty rotten time. Just get back up on the horse and you'll do fine.

**The Monsignor** · 03-03-2006, 09:45 AM

Travelling alone for the first time can be very intimidating... Having had a bit more time to plan it out, and some time on the boards to get advice, recommendations etc. you'd probably have enjoyed your trip to Paris much more.

While you're here, you might wanna add that hostel to the Penalty box, to warn others....

**Esterina** · 03-03-2006, 09:58 AM

Don't feel like you «weren't able» to backpack alone, there are so many factors that affect the type of trip we're having and how we handle the situation. Like living in a place where to possibilities of meeting travellers are... limited. Next time, pick a better located hostel, read reviews, etc.

I second Monsignor : if you can find the time someday, would you write your comments on the hostel in the penalty box ? That would be somewhat helpful !

Enjoy your time in Carcassone !

carol. · 03-03-2006, 10:44 AM

Just been to the penalty box... Cheers again guys for all your help

. Your all stars....

**Esterina** · 03-03-2006, 10:47 AM

I just saw what you wrote, thanks carol for taking the time ! And now, go enjoy travelling, go, GO !