Monday, February 28, 2011
The challenge with my traveling is always the extensive amount of luggage! I told Tyler my goal is
to one day check a bag and board the aircraft with a paperback book!
The luggage coupled with my limited French charades and passing through Geneva was a bit
stressful, in a sweat, pulling two suitcases, a briefcase that is busting and wearing a backpack.
It was way to obvious I was an American.
All around me in the train station people are strolling, one man whistles, what is wrong with
these people, life can't be that relaxing I think, then again it could be a Sunday thing.
When there is six minutes to connect between trains in a town I can't even pronounce I seek
out personnel, written on my hand my train number, 6 digits! Finally I arrive in what I
imagined would be a little quaint village, no its a city. Someone has to stop publishing all
those vineyard, farm shots of France, the cities are taking over the countryside. I've got the
Merci down, Tyler says I have deux (#2 or dah) down pat as well, two wines, two more wines, etc.
Cab to the culinary institute, I didn't even speak, just passed him a piece of paper with the
address of the school arriving 57 euros later. Found my 400 sf apt., darling. What is it with
electric heaters in each room?
The biggest challenge was finding an ATM today and food shopping. Of course I ask to
reassure myself I am in the right direction... on the journey to the port, on foot I met a grandfather
with his grandson in a stroller. We practiced french. Then I met an older man, always
selecting the kind slow moving folk for my questions. I think he wanted me to run away with
him, my intention was to find by then, overdue coffee and a muffin. Finally, a cafe, but no coffee to go?
No time to sit and have coffee. What no paper cups? Off I go, noticing that the French aren't
eating and drinking as they stroll, no cell phones annoyingly ringing and really no horns
blaring either.
It could be the feel of California weather, the lush plants, the palm trees swaying, you tell me.
I could learn to love France if not for the friends and family in the states that I love more.
Bon soir,
Joan
