Why France?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 | Posted in Thoughts by Vanessa
I came up with a “plan” a long time ago while I was dealing with some unpleasant issues in my life that would allow me to escape everything customary and normal. I decided, if I was not enjoying the life I was leading, then I’d run off to the south of France and grow old and plump baking pies (and probably bread and muffins, too). It seemed like a peaceful, incognito existence outside the norms of American life and the suffocating goals of American dreams.
Flowers in France
At one point this locale-of-expatriate-fantasies needed no explanation as to the ‘why.’ However, some run-ins with not-so-nice French people during mine and Val’s last trip to Europe (specifically in Paris), as well as similar experiences imparted to me by other travelers, has prompted me to answer the question “Why France?”
I think, in this instance, a picture is worth a thousand words. I didn’t take this photo, but as I was updating the ALA website with information on our European vacations, I came across this shot of the Loire region.
6 Comments on Why France? - Add yours!
Why France, indeed? I’ve never particularly wanted to go there, but there is a vague draw. Something compelled me to study the language for five years despite Spanish being far more practical. That picture’s a great explanation for why.
Have you ever seen the movie Novocaine with Steve Martin? Helena Bonham Carter’s character has a really similar vision throughout the movie of leaving America for the French countryside, where she will ride her bike around and maybe even bake pies. It might be worth seeing if you haven’t already if just for that.
September 26, 2008
I love this update. Really truly great :)
I always imagined you in a small stucco-like old rural farm house (not a farm house per se but a house on a lot of land - vineyards probably) baking tons of bread :)
I was trying to find such an image but no luck thus far. But found a really great on from Austria.
http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/57823.jpg
Dont you wish you could have been there are that moment? Definitely one of those ‘in awe’ kind of moments.
Love u,
-Vallers!
September 26, 2008
Alex - I’ve never seen Novocaine, but you’re right - it sounds like it’s worth seeing of for not other reason than the quirky parallels. You’ve not been to France?? With all your globe trotting you should definitely go. I am sorry if we’ve talked about this before and I don’t remember.
Val! - I also picture myself in a rustic house with lots of land… :) It’s a gorgeous photo you found of Austria, though the link didn’t work for me. This does: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/57823
I hope that was taken at dawn… it seems like it would be an offense to nature if it were dusk and everything settled into darkness after that glimpse of beauty. *sigh*
September 26, 2008
The French are notorious for not being friendly to foreigners, specifically english speakers. And the Parisians are the worst! I found that there is one little solution, if you just attempt to speak in their language it is amazing how much friendlier they are!
September 26, 2008
Olivia - Hahaha I think Val! and the friend that we made on Couch Surfing that just stayed with us from Italy would whole-heartedly DISagree with you! :) They both experience some snooty French people dissing their French. “ne comprends pas!”
September 30, 2008
Hey, remember that image up there of the awesome Austrian town? Apparently the guy took 3 layers and tone mapped it.
Wiki has a great example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tone_mapping
:> I Wrote him an email on http://1x.com
So we’ll see if he replies.
Lazy to go to work ;(
Nessers lets travel the world and tone map it!
Leave a comment
Archives
Friends
Search
Categories
What we're reading
September 25, 2008