Behind the scenes of a memorable reporting trip to France.
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle
CHARTRES, France — It’s 4:45 a.m.
It’s still dark outside in this medieval French city, famous for its Gothic cathedral.
In fact, I’m exploring the sidewalks around the cathedral right now. As I do so, I’m rolling a 50-pound suitcase and toting a lighter computer bag.
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I’m a bit frazzled because this early-morning walking tour is unplanned. I don’t normally wander about a foreign city — where I don’t speak the language — in the middle of the night.
At least I have company: My wife, Tamie, is with me and maneuvering an equal amount of luggage.
After a 10-day reporting trip to France, we are flying home on this recent Friday morning. We spent an enjoyable final night in Chartres, about 60 miles southwest of Paris. We arranged for a rideshare driver to take us to the airport.
But the old part of town where we stayed is undergoing street repairs. It’s full of roadblocks. Each day new sections are closed, seemingly without warning.
“Hello, I am your driver,” reads the text I received earlier. “I inform you that I have arrived. I am on the main road. I do not know where you are exactly. See you soon.”
Twenty minutes later, we still can’t find him.
This story appears in the online edition of The Christian Chronicle.
Photo by Bobby Ross Jr.
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