I arrive in Tours in the early evening. Paris is still weighing heavily on me, both physically and mentally. The city of lights was impressive, but it left its mark. Every day feels like a tightrope walk as I juggle wild camping and the challenge of keeping my amp charged.
The battery of my amp lasts about two hours, and before the trip, I bought a power station along with a solar panel. Sounds clever, right? But in February, as a wild camper, the solar panel is pretty much useless. Instead, I charge the power station while driving using the car’s cigarette lighter and then charge the amp at night through the power station. So far, it’s worked, but it requires constant planning and attention.
This lifestyle is challenging: driving, searching for parking, creating social media content, finding places to play. Rest? Rarely. But – and this is important – I love the freedom it gives me!
In Tours, the weather is miserable. Rain. Cold. 5°C. I could easily find 1,000 reasons not to play today. But my girlfriend gave me a phrase that has become my mantra: “Do it anyway.”
So, I head out into the rain, carrying all my gear. I pass several spots, but it’s Monday, and the city feels dead. There’s no shelter, no crowd, no vibe.
Then I spot Le Monstre, a giant sculpture in the middle of the city. Nearby, there’s a restaurant with a large umbrella covering the entrance. I ask the owner if I can play under it. To my luck, he agrees.
Despite the terrible weather, something magical happens: a few locals open their windows to listen to my little concert. A woman throws a sandwich into my guitar case – sadly, it has ham, which I don’t eat.
The monster didn’t get me.
Not today!
