Le Tour. Semi-Homelessness. Running on fumes

So today I got up super early and headed down to the Champs to get my spot for the Tour's final stage. I got to The champs a little before 8 and asked where the best place to find a spot was. Unfortunately I went to the opposite side that I wanted to, but in the scheme of things it made no real difference. Originally i wanted to be on the other side of the finish line, but all the areas near the finish were by invitation only, so that wouldn't work.

I found a spot right after the forbidden zone and settled in for a long day of waiting. I don't think I have ever just sat somewhere and waited for that long willingly, but I was good with it. I realized as I sat down that I forgot my kindle in the hotel so I had nothing to read. I quickly went to the nearest newsstand and bought a National Geographic to read.

The hours seemed to be ticking away quickly, and I was glad that I got there early because I was right near the podiums and had a front row seat. I had a little snack that I packed with me and promptly fell asleep leaning on the barricade. I made a conscious effort not to lie down. I didn't want to look like a complete homeless person, so I just sat there for an hour or so. When I awoke there was an older lady standing with each of her legs on either side of my body having a conversation with the people next to me (probably wondering if I was homeless or not.)

Another couple hours went by and finally the sponsor parade began to roll through. It was just endless cars swerving about on the Champs blaring techno and shouting in French into a microphone. There was one float that really confused me. Ahead of the rest of the companies floats was a chicken on an atv, so naturally I imagined it was a poultry company or something. However, when the rest of the floats drove by each of them had what looked like a big grinder on top. I was shocked that people would advertise the process for making chicken nuggets, but after further inspection the chicken was just the logo for a bread company.

The first float:

Smurfs:

So I waited some more for the riders to get to the Champs. I was watching the race on a huge tv that they had set up down the road from me. I couldn't tell where they were by the scenery, but suddenly there was the sound of a helicopter and I recognized the riders coming around the obelisk at the far end of the Champs. The whole street went nuts. I got my camera ready:

It was pretty exciting seeing all the riders go by. It made me want to get out on a bike and get that fast. Perhaps when I get home.

The riders went around 7 times total so I saw them zoom past 14 times, which was great. I tried to capture some pictures, its just hard to get them in the frame they are moving so fast.

Hopefully this gives an idea of how close I was to the action.

Im pretty tired so I think that I will finish this post another time.

Tomorrow I am going to go lock my stuff up at the train station and wander about for a little.

Then I head home.