with a purple backpack, and clapping!
I got off the train today in Angers (France) in a hurry– the train was late leaving and then somehow the time went by too quickly and caught me in the bathroom when the stop came… I rushed to grab my gear, then find my way to the hotel. I was a bit weighed down with a full size Thule backpack, the kind you might pack to hike the Grand Randonnée. I also carried a rather heavy REI messenger bag with my computer, books and purse inside. I’m headed to a conference put on by the English Library here.
Of course, I went the wrong way. I could’ve taken a taxi but I thought I should be able to make it less than a mile to the hotel, choosing the shady sides of streets. About halfway there, each step a bit beleaguered by the weight of the pack, I saw a man my age walking toward me with a big smile. He began clapping. Between claps he gestured skyward toward the steeple on a nearby cathedral, or perhaps at the blue sky above that, so I also lifted my gaze heavenward. I wasn’t sure if he was clapping for the beautiful day and place, or the valiant effort of venturing out of one’s comfort zone. His smile grew as he clapped louder. He seemed harmless and sincere, his joy contagious, so as we passed I clapped too and laughed. Seeing this exchange another guy passing by on a bike offered his long smile of encouraging amusement.
Clearly I was weighted down with my magenta and purple backpack and chartreuse messenger bag, but instead of snickers, I was gifted an ovation…only in France… Some say France is not all that welcoming to strangers, yet I’m continually amazed at how friendly the French are (more on that later).
What am I doing in France again? I’m experimenting with the adventure of life in another place. I think we might be moving to France one suitcase (and backpack) at a time…In February my friend Marilee mentioned this conference in Angers, so I made a day trip from Paris to see if I’d like to return (and I missed the train that time; give yourself way more time than you think you need… but then, don’t panic. I caught the next train an hour later, for 19 euro more)…
Angers interests many Americans because you can get here on a direct train from CDG in about two hours. It’s a beautiful city of about 155K inhabitants in the Loire Valley on the Maine river with lots Anjou pears and a healthy bee population plus the largest, oldest tapestry ever of the Apocalypse.
Now I’ve returned to attend the literary conference, Possible Futures, which covers everything from the future of food (sustainable practices) to the the future of democracy, and publishing (all free). It began as something of a whim, returning for this one day conference in May, but two events catapulted me forward.
On May 1, our youngest child turned 18. This is a major milestone, I suddenly realized—all six of our children are now adults–worthy of a big celebration, maybe even a walking ovation. So right after Mother’s Day, I packed my bags and left for Paris (once again, not because we’re wealthy, but because of airline benefits and French friends who offered a Paris flat). Bonne chance (or blessing)!
The one day conference turned into a week in Paris beforehand, and a week after in Bretagne afterwards to meet up with my writing partner for our DIY writing retreat at her vacation home (along the Grand Randonnée)- this is our second bi-annual. The last week in May is the festival of tall ships in the Gulf of Morbihan so I’ve brought my painting gear, which I’ll leave in Brittany along with camping gear until September– part of the one suitcase at a time move–and our possible future.
What possibilities and adventures are you contemplating? Perhaps now is the time to put them in motion… I might not be ready to backpack the Grand Randonnée at 65, but I can tote the pack for a short distance (actually all the way from Portland along with the suitcase full of camp and art gear)…
When I am old(ish) I will wear purple backpacks … and laugh when people clap, then clap back.
Are you ready for the adventure? I’m here to clap for you.
