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Published: July 28th 2006
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If you come across this bunch..
Take cover, they are considered very dangerous. France is an interesting place. Its a huge contry, by European standards. So it turns out that we met three guys to head up north with. Woody, Mark, and Pat. Woody told me that he was an avid cyclist and these three guys were as down-to-earth and entertaining as they come. I enjoyed watching them disagree and enjoyed their arguements. Silly as they might be. Go figure.
Came to find out that Woody had talked them all into heading to the north of France to a small town along Frances coastline called Lorient. Well guess what was happening in this town the next day? One of the stages of the Tour de France had its finish line in this sleepy town. So we traveled through the early morning hours headed for the Tour.
Got there and all of us were immediately mad at ourselves for listening to Woody. Not the most interesting, or safe looking town. Followed the signs towards the town center, while buzzing into doors of hotels to check for 'chambres libre' (rooms available). There were not many and the ones we did find were not cheep. Go figure, other people had come to town to see
French Safety
It says don't touch or god will strike you down. the Tour as well. Our options were diminishing along with our confidence. We walked for a while and checked a few places. It was in one of these places that we were turned away yet agian. Upon exiting a guy in jeans a sports jacket and a ponytale approached us speaking english. He asked if we need a place to stay. "A cheep place?" We all looked at eachother and answered a weary 'yes'. He told us that his friend had room available for about 20 euros for the night. Then he said, "But it's total shit." As unsure we all were about the room and Mr sensitive ponytail guy, we semi agreed. But there was a futbol game on he was going to the pub to watch it. He told us to follow him and we could get situated later.
We kinda ditched him and kept looking for rooms. Found a place close to town center that had a couple of rooms available. There was 5 of us after all, and the couple that ran it gave us a great deal. Rather be lucky than good. But it wasn't easy understanding them. They spoke next to no english,
Cycling is BIG here.
No really look how big he is. Steroids. and my french, is what some would call, terrible. Hold on...
Let me explain something first. I had asked our new travel buddies if any of them spoke french, which might come in handy, seeing as how we were in France. Pat said that he studied the 'language of love' for several years in school. But had not used it in some time. But he could make out what people were saying, more or less. Sweet. We had our translator.
Back to our hotel that we found. I stood there listening to the man who ran the hotel trying to nagotiate price and us trying to understand him. He waited for a response and I waited for Pat to explain and talk to the man. So I waited, and waited and there was an awkward silence. Pat did not spring into action. So myself and Mark ended up attempting to talk to the man and working things out. Thanks Pat. Later I would ask Pat why he didn't step in. He said, "...ya, sometimes I just dont step up. Dont really know why." We ended up laughing about it after all was 'not' said and done. Just glad
Ha ha, ha, ha, haaa
Like I said, Woody is an avid cyclist. Fanatically. to have a place to stay.
We got up the next day and explored the last 1000 meters of the course as well as the fiinishline. Found a place to stand for hours and hours and watch for the winner of the Tour Stage. There were lots of people that had made the trip to watch this. So much so that, as good as our place to watch was, we couldn't see all that much. So I ended up helping Woody up a tree. He stood there for over an hour waiting to get, what I hope were, some great photos. After it was all over and the leaders finished. Just about everyone was leaving the area. So we went over to collect Woody. However, he did have a little trouble getting down. So much so that a crowd collected watching to see how he would get down. Once he finally made his way to terra firma, with the help of our human ladder, we got a nice round of applause from the people watching and we were on our way. On our way out of town. Hit and run travel. The guys were off to Normandy and we
Katie and Mark
Cute hats. Everybody having fun? were headed East. East to Paris.
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woody
non-member comment
totally awsome
hey so i have been insanely busy since getting home and just now got a chance to check out your blog. this thing is awsome, my parents even wanted to read it, (so i let them hope thats all right) there a little crazy. anyway hope the rest of yours travels are going well, id be lying if i said i wasnt envious. Say hello to Katie for me and I will get you some details of our trip here soon, that way you can read my perspective at least on our encounter together. Cheers!! -Woody