France 07/21/2010
France I know I am a little behind but here goes. We left London in a hurry. Too much traffic, noise and crowds. Perhaps we were still enjoying the treatment from the Canadians. In the London I could not find anyone to slow down long enough to smile much less hold a conversation. We rode out to the Dover to load on ferry. We pulled into the parking lot along side a couple on two motorcycles. While Jim headed in to buy tickets (I stayed back to watch the bikes) I got to talking to the couple. They were from Germany on holiday, and were on their way back from Scotland. When Jim came out I introduced him to Karin and Holger (my new friends). We follow them onto the ferry then spent the next hour and a half sitting outside, in the fog, on the deck of the ferry drinking coffee and chatting. When the ferry ride was over we met a couple of riders from a motorcycle club in the Netherlands, Jim dropped his bike, Karin and I picked it up and we had an invite to both Belgium and Germany (that was more like it) and If it can work out we will use them both. I was expecting the French to be snooty, smelly and overall unpleasant. Wrong. They are very accommodating and try hard to make us feel at home. They were so wonderful, I am embarrassed of my prejudging. We rode down the coast 50 miles or so but ran into severe beach traffic. Enough of that, we headed inland. The weather was warm, roads were nice and it was time to stay in our first campsite. It was getting late and we were getting tired. We tried two hotels but the were full (beach traffic) so we went to a small camp ground. Speaking no French I pulled up to get a camping spot. A French woman greeted me and in French asked “Can I help you?” at least that is my best guess. I froze. It is true, I said nothing. Finally this 5 foot 2 inch, 125 lbs woman figured out she had scared the hell out of me. Me at 6 foot 1 inch, 200 lbs, dusty, unshaven, dirty clothes, leather boot wearin, long hair, just pulled up on a motorcycle and I was terrified. She smiled and said “Du” Jim walked in and said “Wii”. Some how we managed to communicate we still needed to eat dinner. At this time her husband shows up and starts to give directions (he just starts rattling). I was lost, what is going on!!! At this point he sees we are helpless and he says” come on” . He ran to his truck (smallest pick up ever made), started it and sped out of the driveway. Jim and I quickly slapped on our helmets (no time for gloves) and tried to keep up. We race down the narrows streets of some obscure French town, still not sure if we even have a camp site for the night. He finally pulled into another camp ground and wait for us to arrive. When we got their he point to a small restaurant that was still open (probably the only one in town). He smiled got in his truck and left. We walked in to a room full of “Bon jour‘s”. It was a sun room added on to a travel trailer. Half way though my “MMMMMMmmooooooooooooo” (I couldn’t read the menu and didn’t have a clue how to order beef, so when asked I mmmmooooo’ed. I think Jim might have died inside, just a little) three women from three different tables (non knowing each other) got up and started line dancing in sync. I had seen enough! France was alright. We finished and headed to the camp site, set up the tents and crashed. Oh I also learned you better have your own roll of toilet paper cause it isn’t always supplied. Oh and that McDonald’s has free Wifi (this turn out to be a really great asset). The next day we rolled through fields of sunflowers and giant windmills. I know we have big wind mills out in west Texas, near Sweetwater but if it is possible the blades seem longer here. I will try to get a picture up of the sunflower fields. You can bet I will have sunflowers when I get home. We were heading south to meet up with Brad, a friend of Jims. For the running of the bulls. On our way to the Running Of the Bulls in Spain, we pulled into another camp ground in Chatuedon. Once again a French woman came hustling over to question us. By this time I was no longer afraid of little old French women and was delighted to try my French (which I have none). I pulled out my phase book and started reading phases that don’t apply to any situation. What ended up coming from our little chat? (Now mind you, I don’t speak French and she didn’t speak English) what came from our talk, She had two tent sites for $12.00. Set up your tents grab a shower and come to the cabana to watch the finals of the world cup, hot dogs $4.00. Smiles all around. Starting to really like France. It was here Jim had his little problem, the kidney stone. I woke the next morning to find Jim moving a little slow. He took a shower and then threw up. He said “I think I pulled something in my back”. Then he laid back in his tent. It was now when he told me he thought it was a kidney stone. He had one once before 20 years ago. I let him lay in his tent, while I packed up my gear. When I finished loading my bike I walk to his tent to find him in the fetal position, with his hands between his knees, his hair drenched in sweat. His breathing was labored. “Aaa Jim do you want to go to the doctor?” I asked. He contorted around in the tent before he answered “I don’t know, what do you think?” “What do I think? WHAT DO I THINK? YOUR DIEING” is what I thought. “I think it would probably be best” is what I said. As cool as ice, I said “I’ll go get an ambulance”. Once I left I thought how am I going to get an ambulance? I don’t even know how to dial the stupid phone! I grabbed my phase book and headed to the next camp site. Luckily it was a guy we had watched the game with the night before. I point to the line in the book that said I needed an ambulance and the guy went NUTS. He jumped in his car and spend off. He drove up the road and got the camp ground host. He spoke a little English and called for the ambulance. I could hear it coming from across town “EEEwwwwwwEEEEEEwwwwwwwEEEEEEEEwwwwwww”. Jim crawled out of the tent and sat in a lawn chair and waited. A crew of three, questioned him and I handed him a pebble so he could play “charades” to explain the problem. Poof! I am alone in France with two motorcycles and my riding partner is somewhere in this city (I hope). I learned right there, instead of standing around watching the paramedics work, a fella should take that time to pack up, in order to FOLLOW the ambulance. I didn’t. I did find the hospital and arrived shortly after Jim. As I walked down the hallway I was getting ready to see Jim sitting up in a bed, drinking water, maybe hooked up to an IV for pain meds. We would have a laugh and make plans for riding to Spain. The nurse lead me to his room, and as I walked in he look the same. Not the good same. He was in the fetal position, labored breathing and in pain. Crap. I hung out till it was obvious I was not going to help and only going to be in the way. “I will be back in an hour”. Now what? I rode to town bought some chain lube. Went and ate then headed back. This time I walked down the silent hall with a different attitude. I was scared. What kind of care will he get. Is it a kidney stone or is it something else? If we have to fly him home how will I get his bike back? What will I do, go, stay? I was scared, I walked by people waiting fearfully for information on loved ones. I rounded the corner, this time prepared to see my friend hurting in agony. Making dam sure he didn’t see the concern on my face. I walked in the room to find him sitting in a chair with a smile, laughing, surrounded by four nurses just swooning over him. I ask “4 really 4” and he smiled. “Guessed you passed it?” “We don’t know!”. We spent the next 8 hours waiting to be released. We could have waited a week, and it would have been ok by me. Jim was fine and that is what mattered. Oh then we ate the Buffalo Grill. But that’s another story for another time.  CommentsMom 07/21/2010 7:34pm
This was a good story, Joe...very entertaining. I'll bet you were apprehensive about what you were going to do if Jim did not pass the kidney stone. Keep riding & have fun. Stay safe. Trinity 07/26/2010 10:43am
Yay! So glad everything worked out. Time to learn French, no? Brant 07/26/2010 1:02pm
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