An American Girl in Avignon

Today in class I learned another new word. I feel like my brain is overloaded from all of this new vocabulary (which in a way, is a good thing), but for some reason, this word stuck. I am thinking the word resonated so well with me because I could relate. It had meaning. The word was “ailleurs,” which according to trusty old wordreference.com (my new favorite website) means: “elsewhere/somewhere/someone/something else.”

The word was in Marcel Pagnol’s play of unspoken love called “Marius.” The tale of bittersweet romance is between a want-to-be sailor, named Marius and Fanny, a girl who he sees at the bar every day. Of course, Marius is in love with Fanny, but can’t tell her. Isn’t this always the case? Yet, when she finally confesses her love for him, even though he loves her, he can’t say it back. His longing to travel and fear of a long-term/long-distance commitment prevents him from saying so, so he leaves on a boat to travel to world. He “rêve d’ailleurs.” (Dreamed of something more). In the midst of love, he longed to see people and places beyond his own backyard.

I can relate to Marius in that “Je rêve d’ailleurs.” (I dream of elsewhere/something else/more) I want to travel the world, and experience life: see the places and meet the people you watch on the Travel Channel or read about in books. Unfortunately, my European adventure meant leaving behind the people I loved most as well: my family and friends. But I believe the old travel bug has bit me hard, and I am ready to roam…to Rome…or wherever else I may end up, God willing. Life is too short to sit back and let go by without going out there and trying something new.

Which brings me back to the phrase for France 2009: “C’est maintenant ou jamais (it’s now or never): you’ve only got one life to live, and it’s a wonderful life.” Since “C’est maintenant ou jamais” and because « je rêve d’ailleurs, » I am going to make the most of my time in Europe by traveling around France and Europe (pocketbook providing, and God and parents willing :)).

I am going to Nimes this weekend, and I am currently working on my travel plans to London, Rome or Prague, back to Paris, and wherever else is accessible and reasonably priced. It’s frustrating, because there is so much to see over here, and so little time to try to do it all. You can’t see everything, and I have to have money to eat, so one has to learn to make sacrifices along the way. Even if I don’t get to see all the places I want to go to while I am over here, I know I should be thankful. I finally made it to France, and that is a blessing and as “ailleurs” enough as is. :) Any suggestions?