ANNETTE VOGEL www.annettevogel.nl: mei 2022

Hi folks!

I got this license to play in the metro of Paris and that is why I go now and than to that city. I bought a train ticket for only 35 euros and i wanted to go there in Januari. But than i got Corona so i changed tickets. Actually i did not feel like I would spend a lot of time in the metro so i decided to travel a little further: I took a TER train to Tours.

It was quite hard to find a good spot, the old city has restaurants and lots of poor begging people, did not feel right to play there. I walked around when i arrived late at night and decided to play next day in front of the Monoprix in a large street with trams. that night I bought some wine and cheese and spent the night in this two stars hotel which was fine.

My first night in Tours

Next day i had some coffee ( 4 euro) and then I went to the Monoprix. Iwas almost ready to perform when this security guy sent me away. I felt like a beggar from my song Beggars.

I looked for another spot which was difficult because of pretty much people with this little cup, asking for money. Finally I played at the end of the street, it was pretty quite but i did a good set and the preople reacted friendly.

I took a break and at the end of the afternoon i did another set at a more crowded place, in front of a banque. I went allright, but this Bulgaria guy chased me, actually i heard him playing and so i moved to another spot. But then after a while he came to me and d as is that he wanted to play. I tried to explain that i just moved because of him but he did not speak French or english. Hè became angry but left. After 29 minutes he came back and started to play a scale, just on the side of the street. I felt very uncomfortable but again he left. I was done and wanted to look for another spot. I saw him playing and i thought: lets give him a big smile and tell him he can play anywhere hè wants. Hè asked me if i was married, if i got kids and then he wanted to kiss me on the cheek, i shook hands.

I looked for another spot but there was this begging lady who shouted at me that i could not use that spot. It was sort of sleeping spot, i did not understand but it was clear she was defending that spot it was in front of a closed magasin, i think it was the home of a homeless person.

I left that space but then I returned to the woman who was smoking on her fishing chair with her money cup in front of her. Actually she looked like a nice lady. Suddenly I felt really tired and spoke that up out loud. She said ' we all are'. Yeah sure, who am I to complain, i am not a beggar, i am a songwriter who is travelling and busking.

my view from my hotel in tours: sunset

Later at night I met her again in the old centre where she was begging, and i spoke to her again. She has a tough life but does not complain and brothers nobody. Just sitting there patiently with some charisma around her. A strong woman.

I did not sing anymore, i went to a bar with really good music, some French guys were jamming and i really liked their music.

I drank some wine and went to the hotel.

Next day i took a TGV to Paris. I wanted to play at metrostation République but there was this woman singing some soul. Good voice, so i did not mind waiting for her to finish.

But after one hour I asked her when she would leave and she told me she would stay another two hours! My god, so i left the station and looked for the hotel I booked.

That was near Place de la République so i could return easily to the metro. I did some shopping, had my dinner in the hotel ( just a piece of bread and some wine) and went back to the station praying no musicians on my favorite spot. And yes, i could play. I played untill 9.30 om untill a guy stole some money from my hat.

That's never happened before, i felt not so safe anymore.

So i went back to the hotel. Then i decided to go to an open mic for singers. It was a 20 minute walk from my hotel and i am very glad i did go because i had a great night! This was not an open mic, but a singing jamsessions. There are books with french lyrics and english lyrics and everybody can sing along with an acoustic band. I thought what the heck, i just go for it so i sang from the top of my longues :)

It was really late as i finally fell asleep in my nasty room in the hotel :)

When I woke up my first thought was: yes! Today I am going Home! :))

Now it maybe seems like I did not like this trip at all, but you know, I díd like it. I mean, to travel all by yourself you get to know yourself really good and sometimes it feels real bad, but I got my iphone and internet so I can always call my best friends anywhere.

And when I came home I felt so damn rich, I mean, I got a house, I got food , I got work, I got everything I need. And my love Mario was waiting for me. Actually that's the best of all.