Le Bus, L'Universe, et Moi.

The Universe, as defined by me refers to the interactions that take place between an individual and factors in his or her environment, and is based on the principle of a balanced exchanged between good versus evil. Thus defined, The Universe presents equally as many positive as it does negative opportunities; the goal is to concentrate on the good especially when it is most convenient to yield to the bad. Easier said than done, of course, The Universe isn’t all about fluffy bunnies and fantasmical flying unicorns; while I’ve cleaned up the expression out of respect for my audience, it is also known as The Tempestuous Lil’ Bugger that keeps me on my toes; one minute, it jettisons the fresh-made bread from my fingers into a mud puddle, and the next it graces me with a free ride on the bus. Let’s focus on the latter.

On the subject of buses and The Universe, the other day I experienced what felt like the most unlikely display of good fortune. The circumstances were as follows: Frustrated and bored with the rainy weather and persistent lack of internet, a sudden need to escape my apartment overwhelmed reason. I decided to take the bus to the Auchan supermarket all the while knowing that the desire to be outside was largely heightened by the reality that it was pouring and I had no umbrella or waterproof clothing of any kind. It was a risky endeavor because it had been storming heavily at intervals all day. A sound mind would have instead read a good book or taken a nap, but not I, who, seeing it as a worthy challenge, suited myself in my most weather-appropriate gear - jeans, a sweater, a pair of my Mom’s hand-me-down strapped leather sandals and a Samsonite back pack and headed out the door.

As if right on cue, the rain picked up its force as I stepped outside, causing me to pull over under the nearest covering and re-evaluate the situation. My considerations had not gone too far before there was a slight decrease in precipitation and I bolted out towards the street knowing it was now or never; besides, I’m a Floridian, storm clouds don’t scare me, although perhaps they should.

In a mixed state of elation and dismay, I saw the bus approach the stop after only walking about a third of the distance from my apartment. Feelings of doubt once again entered my mind at the dangers of running down the wet sidewalk to quickly cross the intersection before the bus, but I had long ago abandoned reason; I ran. For once, the rain gave me the advantage by slowing down the traffic just enough so I barely made it to the stop as the bus was pulling up. I couldn’t have timed it better if I had tried.

La Ville de Perpignan.

It’s not Paris but I like it just the same ; that is not to say that I like it more so, but it’s a completely different experience. I imagine that Perpignan will feel more home-y than Paris ever would because Paris is it too magical to feel real; not quite as dream-like, Perpignan is an ordinary city with ordinary people, not the stylish Parisians who don’t give you the time of day.

It’s easy easier to get around here, now that I have a map and have already been as miserably lost as possible. The city feels smaller and there are not as many narrow streets as there are in Paris, the city that transcends both space and time. Less striking, Perpignan’s beauty reveals itself gradually, in a friendly and tangible manner. The city’s charms are much simpler and easier seen in its center where you can walk along the river lined by shops and cafés, and visit its gardens and monuments.

I’ve come to appreciate the little things in my suburban neighborhood : the delicious wafts of lavender I smell each time I pass by the bush off the side of the road; the French drivers who yield to pedestrian traffic; catching glimpses of the regional cheeses, breads, and tarts in store windows; the wind that seems to know just when I most need a lift; a culture of people who shop with reusable bags; the restaurants and cafés that would not trouble you to buy more or leave; watching the sunset from my window… the list will continue, I’m sure, in time …

Above all, what I value most about living in Paris and Perpignan alike is the beauty in each discovery. While tasks as simple as buying dishes or accessing the Internet are at first challenging, the struggle reminds me of life’s little pleasures, and once accomplished, the satisfaction is unparalleled.

La Belle France.

Where to begin: perhaps with the time I gave the bus driver a five-dollar Canadian, instead of a euro bill; the moment I realized that my apartment is not air conditioned; or just one of the many times in the past few days that I walked twenty minutes in the wrong direction ?

« Bienvenue à La France, Hayley.”

It’s only been a few days since I left Miami but it feels like longer; between the jetlag and the change of country it’s as if I traveled through a vortex in time, or as close as I imagine I will ever be to time travel. The realization that I’m in Perpignan, France is still fighting its way through my consciousness; I’m in such shock that I could probably convince myself that I’m in Guam, but for now I’ll stick with France. The All Mighty knows that I’ve encountered enough cultural differences to notify the neurons in my brain that I’m not in Miami anymore.

In typical French fashion, my apartment isn’t air-conditioned and my bathroom consists of a toilet, shower and sink jammed into a pre-fabricated box that feels as it was simply placed in the room from above. The unit is so narrow that I can sit on the toilet with my arms stretched out in front of me and reach the end of the shower. On the plus side, I don’t have to worry about cleaning the bathroom because I do so each time I shower. The best part is the loud creaking sound the step in the doorway makes as I enter or exit the shower ; I’m just waiting for the whole thing to topple over with me trapped inside. I shouldn’t complain ; however, I feel as if that is what us, Americans do when we travel over-seas : gripe about the quality of accommodations. Why be cost and energy efficient when you can blast you’re A.C. all day so it feels as if you’re walking into an icebox?

The weather here is nice, cool in the mornings and evenings, but quite roasty in the daytime. The wind here is delicious ; I hear it can be harsh in the winter but it has felt glorious against my sweaty self the past few days. I don’t know what it is about being in France but I started to smell like the locals. Maybe there is something in the air. On the train heading to Perpignan my nostrils detected that distinctly European body odor, and I was horrified to realize my contribution. Mind you, I had been traveling for two days straight and hadn’t showered during the three hours between my nine-hour flight to Paris and the five and a half-hour train ride to Perpignan ; nevertheless, I wanted nothing to do with my self on the train or taxi ride to the university, to then have the driver drop me off as far as possible from the registration office. After lugging my at least eighty pounds of luggage uphill, I left my fifty pound suitcase at the bottom of two flights of stairs, without a care as to what might happen to it, and at which time I just about Stank!

All that is to say, “HELLZ Yah”, I'm back in France!

A bientôt.

Miami: Second Thoughts.

Mosquitoes.
Is there anyone who speaks English?
Are you honking at me?
Moisture.
Is this for real?

But then...


To My Home.

I am an Oak, grounded in your soil ;
I come and go but will always stay,
Where long ago my seed was planted.

I reach far but stand,
In your light, my branches grow;
In time, my leaves will drift
And leave new buds to spring.

I am an Oak, rooted to you,
My home, where I will land
But never fall.

Naps: I got your back.

In short, naps save lives. I started taking power naps (20 minute naps), not every day, I’m not that much of an old lady, but regularly enough that naps are now dear to me. Naps are good.

Can’t move your legs? Take a nap ; hating life ? Take a nap ; don’t remember why you are walking in a certain direction? Take a nap ; at a red light? Take a nap. Just woke up from a nap ? Take a nap. Power naps make grumpy people go away, at least for 20 minutes.