Summary

The second section – “Pilgrims” – begins in Paris, France, where Mitchell started his year of travelling with his friend Larry. The pair went to stay with Larry’s girlfriend Claire who was spending a year studying in France. Mitchell felt awkward sharing the small apartment with a couple, so he went out into the city alone to find a hotel. He recalled that over the summer, before leaving for his trip, he had bumped into Madeleine in New York. Mitchell felt that the romantic possibilities between him and Madeleine were promising but after she left that night he found out that she had reconciled with Leonard. Over the rest of the summer he worked as a cab driver and as a waiter in a Greek restaurant in Detroit.

Back in Paris, everywhere was full and Mitchell ended up sharing a room (and bed) with another...