We spent our first night on the continent of Europe on the beach after we had spent the previous three days in London. As we did with most of the cities we visited we arrived late and with no place to stay. We decided we would walk down the beach, find a place that seemed relatively hidden and pitch our tents for the night. Me being adventurous decided to stay up and sleep under the stars, sleeping under the stars is made difficult when it rains, which it did, all night. My buddy Kelly was in his tent and it was beginning to rain hard so I go into his tent with him to lay down. This tent is only big enough for one, so along with the uncomfortable position the tent begins to leak in water. For some reason one of us has (not me) to lay on top of my folded up tent within the first dinky tent so that we will not be laying in water.

I agree, why? I no longer remember. Could have been from the lack of sleep.

I am uncomfortable in this small tent and am beginning to become slightly claustrophobic, I step outside to regain my nerve and patience. I stay outside at the side of a bungalow jumping up and down to: A.) stay warm, 2.) to stay interested and C.) to stay awake because I am now paranoid and convinced someone will be walking over the hill any minute to rape and murder us. The rain doesn't stop but I am shielded from the rain by the bungalow.

I stay up all night watching passing cruise liners and absorbing the high brought on by the thought of the journey that awaits my resuming in the morning, and the half drank flask of cheap vodka in my pocket.

I stay up all night until I finally lay down on the cold wet sand in my sleeping bag when the rain has stopped and I am convinced it will stay away only to rise moments later from the falling rain drops.

I stayed up all night eager for my friend to rise also so we may walk to a restaurant so that I may warm and grab a hot caffeine beverage. I am grouchy and cold and annoyed. We make it into town and my friend who lagged the entire walk and has the nerve to say to me in all seriousness:

"I am so tired, I don't think I got enough sleep last night."