Alright, after all this preparation, it’s finally the day I’ve been waiting for — August 25, 2014, the big day I set off for France.
Since this wasn’t a move to a fixed place but rather a working holiday, I made the decision from the start to only bring a backpack and no suitcase. Little did I know this would be the beginning of my nightmare. Trying to fit everything I’d need for a year into a single backpack — one that usually only holds enough for a short trip — turned out to be an art form. Many items I originally planned to bring had to be left at home due to space constraints, while things I hadn’t even considered buying ended up being purchased at the last minute for the same reason. (And yes, it slightly blew my budget too, sigh…) Last night, I packed non-stop until the early hours, and only managed to squeeze in a short nap around 7 a.m.
As I rode the bus to the airport, a strange feeling washed over me. This was my usual commute route — in the past, I’d always be in uniform, holding onto my little black suitcase. But today, my identity had changed. I was no longer just another commuter on this bus, but a real traveler — a backpacker heading abroad for a whole year. Thinking about it brought a flood of emotions, a feeling somewhat like returning to an old home — familiar yet unfamiliar; so close, yet so far away… Uh… I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say anymore, but it was just a very surreal feeling.
All my worldly belongings: one large backpack, one small backpack, and my violin
Hong Kong, see you again in a year…
After 21 hours plus a 3-hour delay, around 9 a.m. on August 26, I… finally. arrived. in. Paris!!! The feeling at that moment was indescribably exciting. I never imagined that one day I’d actually make it to France, let alone stay here long-term. The whole thing felt like a dream. (Even in the two days since arriving, as I walked the streets of Paris, I still feel that way — I’m genuinely so happy!) But little did I know, my first challenge came almost immediately after reaching France…
As mentioned earlier, since I didn’t bring a suitcase, aside from my large backpack, I also brought a smaller one to carry essentials like my laptop that couldn’t go in the hold. When I arrived in Paris, I wanted to transfer everything back into the large backpack for easier mobility, but to my surprise, it was so heavy I could barely lift it. After just thirty minutes of carrying it, I was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, and it felt like ten people were sitting on my shoulders. Add to that the fact that I was also carrying my instrument by hand — at that moment, I seriously considered just hopping back on the plane and returning to Hong Kong. I never expected that the first time I felt like giving up on this trip would be just two hours after landing. Luckily, the walk to my guesthouse wasn’t too far, otherwise I really don’t know how I would have managed. But if the rest of the trip continues like this, I might just have to resign myself to buying a new little black suitcase… haha.
Once settled into the guesthouse, I seized the chance to head out and explore. The first place I went, naturally, was the most iconic — the Eiffel Tower. I knew it was a “crazy crowded” tourist spot, but I always felt that just as visiting Hong Kong without seeing Victoria Harbour from The Peak would feel incomplete, coming to Paris without seeing this tower would leave something missing from the experience. I remember reading in books that when the Eiffel Tower made its first appearance at the World’s Fair in 1889, many locals thought this towering structure was the most out-of-place sight in the city, and yet, over a hundred years later, it has become the most emblematic building in Paris.
Seeing the tower in person was truly joyful,
this icon I’d only ever seen on TV was now right before my eyes. It was so moving.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step;
I believe that from today onward, I’ll be walking farther than most.
facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ilfaitsibeauaujourdhui