My posts are completely out of order at this point. Here are the places I’ve visited in order: Reykjavik, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Istanbul, Athens, Barcelona, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Interlaken, Bern, Milan, Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome, Privas, Paris, London, Edinburgh and Amsterdam.
Kristy and Patrick
Hands down, Privas (don’t pronounce the S) was one of the biggest highlights of my 90 days. Privas, France, is the home of my college roommate’s finance, and they were visiting family over the holidays. Patrick and Kristy went out of their way to extend their hospitality and show me around.
Traveling by yourself has more ups than downs, but one of the biggest downsides is that you are always on alert and are always wary at some level. Getting to spend time with Kristy and Patrick was the first time I felt I was relaxed to the core, and it was needed after the fun time that was Italy.
Even more remarkable than Kristy and Patrick’s hospitality was the hospitality of Patrick’s mother. It takes a certain kind of woman to open her home to an Awkward American but her hospitality was extraordinary. She actually did my laundry for me, which if you’ve ever backpacked, you’ll understand why it was one of the most wonderful things to happen to me on the trip.
Resolution #1 – Do more kind acts for others.
French Food!
One of the things I mentioned in my Greece blog post is my realization is that I’m not seeing an authentic Europe. Privas is authentic. I lived with a French family, ate incredible French food and shopped at the French markets in a town devoid of tourists excluding one Awkward American. I will always be grateful beyond words for Patrick’ and his family’s hospitality and for giving me a glimpse into Europe that goes beyond the postcard.
Another highlight of my stay is attending a French dinner party hosted by Patrick’s childhood friend, Luddo. At one point Luddo asked me what my hobbies and passions are. Now Luddo is learning Occident, the ancient language of the French, which is his fourth or fifth language. He is also restoring his home, which is at least 100 years old to be authentic and using eco-responsible materials. Patrick participates in Ironmans in his spare time. Patrick’s mother is an incredible folk dancer and even attends folk dancing camp. My hobbies and passions? I try to explain I write a blog called The Art of Awkward, and Kristy explains I’m her friend with really random facts. Which brings us to New Year’s Resolution’s #2.
Resolution #2 – Find a hobby acceptable for French dinner parties.
The language barrier is definitely there as Patrick’s mother speaks no English, and as we know, I barely speak English and no French. By the end, I can say very limited phrases. Tres bien, se bien and tres jolie are the ones I incorporated most frequently into my quasi-French jargon. Angela, the hostess of the French dinner party, is from Spain, which does give me the opportunity to use my limited Spanish from high school.
“Matilda tienes Angela’s muy gordita eyes.”
Which roughly translates into Matilda, her daughter, has Angela’s pretty eyes. I think. I suspect it didn’t translate at all.
Even French words I thought I knew are undecipherable to the actual French. I tell Luddo that I am really excited for my first French eclair with the pastry box tucked under my arm. Luddo confusedly turns to Patrick for translation, and Patrick pronounces it, “ehh-clear.”
Luddo nods in comprehension. “But that’s what I said!,” I cry out.
Which brings us to New Year’s Resolution’s #3.
Resolution #3 – Work on learning a foreign language and to actually be understood by native speakers.
Privas was so peaceful. We took walks among nature, and I saw hounds chasing down a fox. I got to have long conversations with one of my closest friends. We had two-hour meals without worrying about everything that had to be done or where we had to be next. There was no Internet and life was better without it.
Resolution #4 – To be present in the moment.
While these aren’t quite my New Year’s Resolutions, having 90 days off from the day-to-day grind has given me invaluable time to reflect. Privas was invaluable to that. A huge thanks to Kristy and Patrick for their hospitality and more importantly, their friendship.
