A Writer’s Paris

So, I am off to Paris for a few days. This in itself is not a particularly big deal - but for me is is an adventure. This is the first time that I’ve ever ventured outside of the UK on my own and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a little bit scared. I worry about everything, especially the details - and have been worrying all week in the build up to my departure.

I wanted to go somewhere that was ‘easy’ - and I figured you can’t get much easier than hopping on the Eurostar, so I shopped around and got a very good deal from Railbookers (who, incidentally, were extremely helpful and nice to deal with). I will only be there three nights - but I’m treating it like an experiment; if I like it, and it proves as straightforward as I hope, I’ll go back. My plan is not to be a tourist - my plan is to unwind and to write. I’ve been reading a book by Eric Maisel, called A Writers Paris, which is utterly inspiring. It’s on Amazon - click the image below for details:

The book inspired me to go to Paris, but more importantly, it inspires me to write. even if you have no intention of going to Paris, it’s still a great read.To date, I have not been very good at cafe writing - I feel self conscious if I open my laptop in a public place - as if everyone thinks I’m showing off - so the next few days will be a real change of writing practice. I think I have to decide NOW to leave the worrying me at home. I have to decide that I don’t care what other people think of me, and I don’t care if the odd thing goes wrong, or if I look stupid because I can’t speak French - the next few days is about me being selfish, and about me writing. If I can go home with another chapter of my novel complete, it will have been a great success.

So here I am, Sunday 13th May, on board Eurostar, bound for Paris. Before leaving, I worried about the details of this trip - I had no idea what happens when you check in for the Eurostar, or what happens when I get to Gare de Nord, or how I get from there to my hotel, or how the Metro works…I am completely oblivious to everything. So, I thought I’d write exactly what happens, just in case someone stumbles across this page and is in a similar position.

Eurostar say that you should arrive at least thirty minutes before check in, but being the sort of paranoid person I am, I left home very early (having had a good talk to the cats first and reassured them that Auntie Lizzie will be popping by to feed them) and arrived at London Waterloo just after 3pm. My train to France was due to leave at ten past five, so I checked in early and found a coffee shop to hide in.

The check in process at Waterloo was straightforward. You’re supposed to put your ticket in barrier machines, very much like the tube. Of course, mine didn’t work so a member of staff sent me through to a booth where my ticket was checked and then it was straight through to baggage checking. This set up was just as intimidating as airport security - all bags go through an x-ray machine and then you get your passport/ID checked.

After that, it’s just like being at an airport, with a few shops and cafes. I made a latte last an hour or so and then that was it - the train boarded! And here I am (just leaving Ashford) and so far, I’m very impressed. I upgraded my ticket to 1st class, and it was definitely worth it. You get a meal which really wasn’t bad and any wine that you want - and the seats come complete with UK power points, so I can use my laptop which is splendid.

The good news is that I left London in pouring rain and we’re now heading into glorious sunshine.

Words written on novel on Eurostar: 291