Simon's attempts to find accommodation in Paris were not very successful. He tried to call every hotel in his guidebook, but he was shocked to discover they were all full. He called all the youth hostels to find out if they had any beds, but they were full, too. Another traveler advised going to the tourist information office asking for help, but the office was closed. Although Simon hated the idea of leaving Paris without having seen anything, the thought of sleeping in the train station or walking the streets all night convinced him to take the train to another city to look for accommodation there.