I sat on this plane for so long I lost all notions of time or space. I felt like drowning in a smooth and fluffy cloud. I am everywhere and nowhere. I am the past and the future. I am now. I could be sad because I left, I could be excited because I’m coming and I don’t know if I feel a mixture of these emotions or if my mind is just empty of everything, blank and quiet , enjoying this forced lazy day on a flying chair, waiting patiently to see what will come next.
Someone told me his favorite time on a plane was when you land and get off. Up to now I never noticed, focused on my favorite moment: the endless sitting flying in between time and space.
But this time when I stepped out I understood: the rush of excitement, heart beating heavily and everyone in a hurry to go out as if air was missing! All my senses are now ready to catch any information that would answer the most important question: where am I?
The fresh air on my face feels good like a nice air conditioned room. Except I’m outside and never hot or sweaty anymore! Even though I enjoy very much this change of weather my frozen nose and toes don’t believe my version of the story and are much happier with a tons of clothes on!
Where am I? The language of this country is strange, the [rr] resonates in my throat like a purring cat. I can understand everything so easily I feel like listening the private conversations of all the people I cross in the street and some weird sentences stay stuck in my mind: “…mais c’est Chouchou qui l’a…” (That’s Chouchou who’ve got it); “…encore 5 ans sans salaire!…” (Still 5 years without a pay). People say I have an accent and an English way of speaking; I still have some problems to find the right words and can’t believe “tancarville” is the one for “drying rack” (could it be a joke?).
Where am I? They drive on the wrong side of the road! That’s pretty confusing and dangerous! You can imagine my surprise when I saw cars coming in front of me! Same with the shuffled keyboard which doesn’t help to type this article!
However, there is a change I don’t mind and am really happy about: the food! A palette of new tastes to make my meals colorful! Country of comfort food, no way to be moody or cold after dinner! The best of it? Food is as well a great daily topic of conversation: we all share stories, ideas and tips about it! I found particularly amusing to see the locals staring in amazement at the “boulangerie” window (bread shop) even though they visit it every day . A behavior I clearly understand when I have a taste of their “croissant” or “baguette”!
Everything around me looks pretty familiar, feeling of “déjà-vu” at every corner even if I’m still stupefied of every detail I cross on my way. I think I know where I am. I am in my own country! I grew up here, I spent long time here… I’m in France! And who am I? I’m a traveler, discovering treasures of life… Anywhere, anytime!