Early Start
In my last post, I ended in a small town in Belgium called Spa. I had an early start to my day after sleeping for ~4 hours and only marginally excited for my second day of this ride, which would consist largely of long boring stretches of highway. I woke up to significantly colder weather, and what seemed like even more wind.
From the moment I stepped out of my room, walking towards the exit, I could hear the sound of rain hitting the concrete sidewalk outside. The smell of fresh rain was long gone since it was raining the day before, all that was left for your senses can only be described as the feeling you get when you sit on a wet park bench. As my ride progressed, I stopped frequently to try and catch my own bodies warmth, but the only real way to stay warm, was to consume these walking steaks.
More Rain
Not too far into my ride, I found myself in heavier rain and decided to hide underneath a shed for shopping carts at a local Gamma (this is the name of the store), which is similar to a Lowes for people in the US. My bike, with the gear on the back, was a sort of motorized shopping cart, so it would appear as though it was an appropriate parking spot.
Without cell service or wifi, I wasn't able to readily google any restaurants within walking distance. The rain started coming down, and without rain gear, I had to stay dry unless I wanted to be a human popsicle.
Wild Ass
Unwilling to burn time, I ended up walking next door to the local grocery/market and grabbed a plate of premade hot ribs. I made my purchase hastly and walked out. With no table to be found anywhere. I decided to Asian squat down on the curb so I could chow down on my less than desireable hot ribs. They were hot, not very delicious and tasted like it was cut from wild ass.
Photo by San Diego Zoo
It would of been hilarious if someone stopped to give me some change and food. I wouldn't of accepted the money, but I would of definitely accepted the food.
A Giant Boar
After getting some hot chow in me, the sky cleared up and I took the opportunity to hit the highway running and ride as much as I could before the next rain spell. By this point, my mind was on one thing, and one thing only. Get to Paris ASAP. The only stops were necessary stops such as fuel and coffee.
And to take a picture of this gigantic boar. I have no idea what it is suppose to mean, but it was pretty big.
Riding In Paris is not for the Timid
When I finally arrived in Paris as a moto rider, I realized that riding in Paris wasn't for the timid. It was a skill and art, with a pinch of luck at the same time. I didn't get to film too much since I became too focused on learning the local acceptable riding behavior. Lane splitting at 30+ mph appeared to be perfectly acceptable and commonplace.
I visited the Eiffel Tower First
On your first day in Paris, you need to see the Eiffel Tower! This tower doesn't appear very large on paper, but when you get there....holy smokes! This thing is pretty large for something built in 1887.
Sunset over the Eiffel Tower
Selfie!
I spent the rest of the day walking around the city and grabbing a beer before calling it quits and returning to my hostel.
The Eiffel Tower looks beautiful. I've not seen it for myself yet.
Hilarious travel diary man and great video making skills. Upvoted and resteemed!
By the way you went to/through Spa and did NOT go to the racetrack? Spa Franchorchamps, one of the greatest tracks in the world. Anyway...enjoy your rips :)
Thanks! I've been really trying to step up the video editing game. I think video and text is a great combo since you can't always watch videos, and there's always a ton of things that don't make the cut! This trip was unplanned and I didn't even think of visiting the track. Regardless, it was pretty late in the day and the company that I rented the moto from explictedly stated that they wouldn't cover trackdays! :P
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great journey
lucky u didn't get killed riding all that distance!
That's a nice trip between 2 very beautifull cities ! The gigantic boar you saw is the symbol or emblem of that region of France you went through, the Ardens. It took 11 years to build it.
11 years to build!? I'm glad I got some info on it. Thanks man! Granted I could of googled it, but it's awesome to hear it from someone! I wonder if it has anything to do with boar as a food!
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Fun fun fun