July 1, 1997 (Tue.) The previous day of departure
More than ten friends came to the cafe I often go to,
and held a send-f party for me.
This made me very thankful, and gave me a little pressure as well.
11:00 PM. I have not yet finished all the preparations though
I should leave here at 5:25 AM tomorrow morning for Kansai Airport.
The weight of the backpack well exceeds 5 kg;
now it weights as much as 8 kg. Not desirable.
I think and think how to reduce its weight to less than 5 kg.
Maybe it's impossible to do so. All the items now put in the backpack seem necessary.
Books 2.5 kg; these are indispensable.
Medicine 1 kg. Cloths 0.5 kg. Sleeping bag 0.7 kg, video tapes and camera films 1 kg.
And others (including the backpack itself) 2 kg.
I am indeed worried about its weight...
Heavy weight of luggage comes up first when I remind of my journeys in the past.
In this trip I should walk throughout 900 km.
I want to make my luggage especially light, but ...
Jul. 2 (Wed.) To Paris
10:00 PM now Onboard. Flying above Russia
Last night, I was making preparations all the night,
left my office at 5 AM, and headed to the railway station.
When I passed in front of my house on the way from my office to the railway station,
I found my aged mother standing in front of my house to send me.
She is still not yet fully healthy from her previous sick.
How long was she waiting for me, standing in front of my house?
10:00 AM. Take off from Kansai Airport. 2:00 PM Transit at Seoul for Paris.
I changed my boarding pass to have a smoking seat.
The seat I got is at the tail of the aircraft; its row number was 64.
Only two rows are specified as smoking area. Smokers have only a little place to go!
The wide Russian territory can be seen in the downwards.
The weather is very clear.
The backpack weights 8 kg despite my efforts to reduce its weight.
I will make another trial to lighten it after arrival.
Shall I stay one night in Paris though at first
I was planning to go to Lourdes directly by night train.
Somehow I keep clam. I fell into sleep for two hours or so on the airplane.
Maybe I can do it!
Arrived at Charles De Gaulle at 1:12 AM Japan time, i.e. 6:13 PM local time, after 15 hours' air trip.
Changed US dollar cash at exchange bureau at the airport. 200 US dollars amounted to 1087 French franc, This means 1 FF. = 20 Yen. Get off the Air France Limousine Bus at Charles De Gaulle Etoile. 55 FF. A telephone card 45 FF.
Went to Saint Paul station by metro. A cheap hotel 130 FF. The narrow and smelly room isn't nice but I will have it, as other hotels around here may cost 300 to 400 FF. one night! This hotel is in front of Saint Louis Church on the Rivoli Street, and five minutes walk to Cite Island. Its location is good, but the room is not a hotel's one. One naked bulb on the ceiling, only several square meters wide, and the bed and the pillow may not be cleaned or washed for several days....
I went to see the flat along the Seine River where my brother lived for one year. I am not a stranger as for around here.
A sandwich of the long French bread and a cup of coke for the dinner. 30 FF. (expensive!) Tried telephone call but in vain.
13945 steps (9.76 km; calculated on assumption that one step width is 70 cm) today. I didn't sleep last night, only two hours' sleep on the airplane today. Now its 11:30 PM, I shall go to bed right now for the sake of tomorrow.
July 3 (Thu.) From Paris to Lourdes
Got up at 7:00 AM. Visited Tower of Saint Jacques, Pon Pied Center、St.Merry Church. Bought train ticket of departure time from Austerlitz Station at 10 PM to go to Lourdes. Ticket fare of 395 FF. is expensive for me. Lunch at a McDonald's near Austerlitz Station. Big Mac 17 FF., coke 7 FF., coffee 5 FF.
I have a rest near the Seine now. I like coming here and spend a time, really I like it the most in Paris. 12:10 AM now. Its cold in Paris as if in the early autumn though it's July now. Sunbathing is comfortable.
I remember I used to come near here, spend time by sitting on a bench for several hours and see Notre Dame near the river six years ago. Six years ago I went to three months trip in Europe by railway, and stayed at my brother's flat in Paris for two weeks.
3:30 PM I met an artist Mrs. N in this flat, and handed her a letter. I couldn't contact her though I called her several times last night. But I met her by chance when she went out from her flat to bring her picture. It rains intermittently in a short interval. Forgot to make waterproof to my shoes.
Entered a cafe, had coffee, and talked with her. She was a lady with a plain mood.
Dinner near Mont-Martre (Grilled noodle 20 FF., salad 30 FF., coffee 6 FF.). I asked her to bring back my used films, as she said she would go back to Japan in a near future.
10:06 PM. The train left Austerlitz Station. Estimated to arrive at Lourdes at 6:50 AM tomorrow morning.
Bought two pieces of bread and coke for night meal at a kiosk. I am worried a little about sleeping on a night train. Also worried that I have forgotten to bring a map and a guide-book of Lourdes.
10:20 PM. 23030 steps (16.11 km) today. I didn't think of walking as many as twenty-three thousand steps, as I think I walked in Paris a little. Knees ache a little. I had a seat in a smoking car in which passengers are scares. Cigarette here costs 16 FF. (320 yen)! Never a welcoming thing for me, a heavy smoker.
2:00 AM now. I slept a little, but not soundly on the seat. An 8 hour trip by train.
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July 4 (Fri.) Sacred place Lourdes
6:50 AM. Arrived at Lourdes. Few people can be seen as it's still early in the morning. I shall walk as God tells me, as I have no map of this town. This town is not easy to walk around as there are a lot of slopes and also as the streets are small and complicated. Where is the church? The church which faces a wide square is tall. Mass in Spanish (Costa Rica) is read under the statue of Virgin Mary. Mass of each country is read one after another in this place. Many handicapped persons came here to listen to mass. Their belief for a miracle to occur can be felt. Pilgrimage stamp, such a large number of people, fathers from many countries, Not knowing where is the office of church, I looked for it with a big effort. Finally I found it and had the book stamped, but regretful was that I couldn't have fathers signature. But don't mind it. Thinking "I should" or "I can't miss" makes me tired enough.
11:00 AM. Began looking for tonight's residence. This also makes me mentally tired. How easy would it be if I were a person who don't mind the room fare... A hotel on the top of a slope charges 130 FF. per night. I decided to stay here after asking several other hotels.
I called telephone to my mother. She was surprised with my sudden call. "I'm very fine," said my mother, who has in fact recovered from a sick just now. I told her "I feel as if I drank water in Lourdes with you." Cold. Indeed cold. Everyone wears long sweater and coat. As if in winter. I purchased a small and light souvenir at a shop in Lourdes. There are also some souvenirs I feel nice, but I didn't buy them as I do not want to make my luggage heavier than now. Changed 100 US dollars, ate Big Mac(17 FF.) and coffee (5 FF.) at McDonald's, and bought two pieces of bread (14 FF.) which I ate on the bed with holy water of lourdes.
Shower was nice as there was hot water. But, it's chilly even in the room. This is enough worth saying as winter beyond saying as autumn. I began being worried about crossing over the Pyrenees. １／１３ PAGE
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