Backpacking Through Europe

Paris, France

Thank you Mymynouchka1 EmiBlueSkyLove and iwannabelouisbestie for telling me about France. ❤

Harry was relieved to see the entrance to the Metro just outside the train station. He walked down the stairs and stopped to double-check the subway map. He had already studied it online to know how to get to the hostel he had picked out of many. He had read reviews online and compared prices.

He walked up to the ticket booth and purchased a zone 1-2 carpet, ten single tickets. It would be much cheaper and it would cover the rides he planned for the next couple of days.

He hopped on metro line 3 which would take him to the hostel of his choice, Auberge de Jeunesse HI Paris Le d'Artagan. He had already booked a bed online to be sure that he had somewhere to stay. It was a little over budget, 32 pounds a night in a four-bed dorm but he planned on saving money in other places.

As soon as he had washed up he locked his bag in. He had found the defense spray his mother had smuggled into his bag and put it in his pocket so he could comfort her. He gave her a quick call on his way into town to tell her that he had arrived.

A quick burger at MacDonald's satisfied his stomach before he started to check off his list of things to see and do in Paris. He went to look at the Triumphal arch first and took loads of pictures from different angles before he headed to the Louvre and spent the rest of the day looking at famous paintings.

It was getting late when he finally headed to the Metro to go back to the Hostel. He had stopped at a grocery store and bought some bread and cheese for supper.

He pulled the curtain close to get some privacy in his bunker and ate while he watched Youtube videos. After a quick toothbrush session, he went to sleep, feet aching after a whole day of walking.

He got up early the next morning and took a shower before he filled his plate with the free breakfast that was included in the price. He tried croissants and smiled happily. He was living the life!

He glanced at the clock and shot up from his chair. He had to get going. Once again he rode the Metro train and headed to the Eifel Tower. He had booked a tour and a ride to the top. The view was spectacular! He couldn't stop taking pictures.

A hot dog stand made a suitable lunch before he headed to Versailles. Once again he had booked a guided tour online. The castle was amazing.

On his way to the Rodin museum, he was pretty sure that someone was following him. As they came closer he shoved his hand in his pocket and grabbed the defensive spray, removing the lid. He gulped nervously as the person came up next to him and tapped his shoulder. Harry turned around and took out the spray bottle and aimed at the person's face and sprayed. It was a boy and he screamed. Harry was about to run away when he recognized him. It was the boy from the train from London. He froze.
"God damn it! My eyes! What did you do that for?" The boy yelled and tried to rub his face. His eyes were tearing.

"Sorry! I thought you were gonna attack me." Harry apologized.

"Attack you? Fuck! My eyes are burning!" The boy said, sounding upset.

Harry found his water bottle and helped the boy to sit on a bench.
"Here, rinse your eyes. I'm truly sorry."

The boy washed his eyes and dried his face with his t-shirt. After a couple of rinses, he could see again even if his eyes were red and puffy.
"Again, really sorry. I'm Harry." Harry apologized feeling really embarrassed.

"I'm Louis. I saw you on the train from London." The boy introduced himself.

"You did?" Harry questioned.

"Yeah, and when I saw you walking around here by yourself I was gonna ask you if you would like to hang out since you seem to be backpacking alone as well. Stupid, spontaneous mistake." Louis chuckled and wiped his eyes again.

No way! This cute guy wanted to spend time with him? He couldn't let this opportunity pass even if he heard his mother's words in his head about not talking to strangers.
"So sorry, my mum gave me the spray for protection. I would love to hang out. Ehm, what's your plan for today? Where have you been so far? Maybe we can coordinate our schedules?" Harry smiled.

"Schedules? Man, I'm just winging it. You know, go with the flow. I've seen the Eifel tower obviously, went to the Louvre, then I just walked around. Turned a corner and saw where it took me." Louis grinned.

Harry just stared at him.
"You don't have a schedule? How will you know that you've seen everything Paris has to offer?"

Louis rolled his eyes at him.
"Apparently you have one. Come on, let's see it."

Harry opened his small bag and pulled out a small notebook and handed it over. Louis started to flip through it.
"Oh, wow. You have everything planned down to the minute. You're not really the spontaneous kind of guy, are you?" He chuckled in amusement.

Harry blushed.
"I can be sometimes."

Louis glanced at him and smiled before he looked down at the notebook again.
"So the Rodin museum? Don't know what that is. Do you mind if I tag along?"

"Of course not." Harry smiled.