I think I realized a while ago that I'm comfortable enough to travel alone. That was reaffirmed in a mini experience down in Long Beach this weekend. We're traveling with baseball are currently en route on the six hour trip back North. So about my rare French experience....
I've been feeling sick on this trip already, and slept most of Friday off. Skipping breakfast, I grabbed a sandwich for lunch but was still hungry around 2 p.m. before we had to head to the baseball field at 4. On my run the day before, I noticed a café called Crème de la Crêpe, that my family and I had eaten at in Redondo Beach a few years prior. So after my lunch I opted for a snack at this crêpe restaurant.
Initially I just wanted to grab a crêpe to go, but when the (attractive) waiter asked, "Mademoiselle, where would you like to sit?" in a very heavy French accent, I chose to dine in. Enjoying the French chatter between my waiter and the Senegalise cook, I selected a crêpe with Nutella, strawberies, bananas and vanilla ice cream. It was called Zidane and my joke is that it's so good, it's like a headbutt to the face, ha.
After ordering and nearly finishing, my waiter came by and asked how everything was. I couldn't take it any longer, I asked where in France he was from. Shocked that I even cared, he responded, "Rouen, you know where it is?" I nodded my head and proceeded to explain that I studied in Nice in 2005 then taught in Antibes from 2007-08. Shocked even further, he asked how I liked France, where I live now, if I want to go back, etc.
Then he went back and proudly explained to the other waiters, in an excited tone, "Elle a étudié en France," that I studied aborad. They then asked if I spoke French to which I nodded that I understood and called me a "cute American" behind the counter.
After leaving my generous tip (hey I'm on per diem for road trips), I walked out the door and happily proclaimed, "Merci!" in my best accent. He then thanked me in French and also wished me a good day. I wished him the same back in French upon taking my exit. For the first time in my life I could feel eyes following me out of a room. And I kicked myself for not speaking more French to them, or staying a bit longer to chat. But I had to head back in time to catch the bus. Amazingly, my two loves are French culture and baseball. Weird huh?
But I did have a fabulous dessert outing alone, and had the chance to engage in nice conversation with a French man. I could definitely travel alone and meet people along the way while reveling in every moment of it.
I've been feeling sick on this trip already, and slept most of Friday off. Skipping breakfast, I grabbed a sandwich for lunch but was still hungry around 2 p.m. before we had to head to the baseball field at 4. On my run the day before, I noticed a café called Crème de la Crêpe, that my family and I had eaten at in Redondo Beach a few years prior. So after my lunch I opted for a snack at this crêpe restaurant.
Initially I just wanted to grab a crêpe to go, but when the (attractive) waiter asked, "Mademoiselle, where would you like to sit?" in a very heavy French accent, I chose to dine in. Enjoying the French chatter between my waiter and the Senegalise cook, I selected a crêpe with Nutella, strawberies, bananas and vanilla ice cream. It was called Zidane and my joke is that it's so good, it's like a headbutt to the face, ha.
After ordering and nearly finishing, my waiter came by and asked how everything was. I couldn't take it any longer, I asked where in France he was from. Shocked that I even cared, he responded, "Rouen, you know where it is?" I nodded my head and proceeded to explain that I studied in Nice in 2005 then taught in Antibes from 2007-08. Shocked even further, he asked how I liked France, where I live now, if I want to go back, etc.
Then he went back and proudly explained to the other waiters, in an excited tone, "Elle a étudié en France," that I studied aborad. They then asked if I spoke French to which I nodded that I understood and called me a "cute American" behind the counter.
After leaving my generous tip (hey I'm on per diem for road trips), I walked out the door and happily proclaimed, "Merci!" in my best accent. He then thanked me in French and also wished me a good day. I wished him the same back in French upon taking my exit. For the first time in my life I could feel eyes following me out of a room. And I kicked myself for not speaking more French to them, or staying a bit longer to chat. But I had to head back in time to catch the bus. Amazingly, my two loves are French culture and baseball. Weird huh?
But I did have a fabulous dessert outing alone, and had the chance to engage in nice conversation with a French man. I could definitely travel alone and meet people along the way while reveling in every moment of it.
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2 comments:
How fun! I love running into random Frenchies and pulling out some French skills. Your "snack" looks and sounds amazing, and I love the Zidane joke.
Wow that sounds delicious. I am jealous that you can speak and understand French! I want to learn another language. That must have been cool for you (and them) to have something in common!
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