Day 2: Getting Lost
Traffic is insane in Lima, Peru. But in Marseille, traffic goes beyond that. One way streets cut through the city. Bikers weave around cars and zigzag around pedestrians. People jog across the street whenever the cars hesitate long enough for them to pass safely.
Buses jerk from bus stop to bus stop. The tram whizzes around the corner, and as soon as it passes, people stroll across the street behind it. The traffic has an ebb and flow to it, one where people walk, bike and drive, or race by on motorcycles, roller skates, scooters, segways, and skateboards.
I am both impressed and slightly intimidated by the rapid merge of traffic.
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Every day, I ride the Metro (subway) around the city. Today around 3:30, my friends and I went from our hotel to Vieux Port, the Old Port of Marseille (old as in B.C.). We bought gelato at Amorino, then explored together for a few hours, checking out a market and several malls and stores.
At dinnertime, I set off to see the Old Port on my own. I walked without a map or a plan. And predictably enough, I got wonderfully lost.
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But I kept walking, taking in the adorable street cafes where men stretch out to talk and smoke, and the huge cathedrals that look beautiful in every way on the outside, but when I step inside, I lose that feeling of peace. All I see are the rows of flickering candles, the emptiness stretching between the benches, and the statues staring down at me.
I walked a few miles, then took the Metro back to the hotel. The Metro speeds through dark tunnels, but when I lean toward the window, I glimpse graffiti on the walls. I sit alone, in the back, holding my bag tight on my lap. Every few seconds the Metro slows for passengers to climb on or off.
After stopping by the hotel, I biked to the beach. The city bikes are smooth and sturdy, an exceptionally cheap way to move around. Once I get with the flow of traffic, I peddle harder and sail past rows of stores and restaurants. The breeze balances the sunny heat.
My French is still a very American-tourist-struggle, but in spite of that, I am seeing more of this beautiful city. I will miss this French pace. At all hours, but especially in the hot sunny evenings, the sidewalks are crowded as people walk their dogs, walk with their family, or bike. Others sit on benches or at cafes.
Today I lost my way three times, but with some help, I always made it back home. And in the meantime, I filled my memories with unexpected snapshots of Marseille.
Getting lost was the highlight of my adventuring today. When was the last time you drove out of town just to drive? Just to see what’s around the corner or down a street you’ve never stopped at? When was the last time you turned off the GPS or google maps and let yourself explore until you lost your way?
Let’s get lost.
And see the hidden streets, the tiny stores, the blur of strangers. Adventures don’t need to be planned or mapped out. A whole world waits to be explored. Bon Voyage!
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