My Exciting French Travel Life

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Tucked away, almost deleted, in my spam box this morning, was a very welcome virtual "Treasure of France." An email from a family I spent a night with more than a year ago. It was, like all of my "one nighter" filming encounters, 24 plus hours of genuine hospitality and friendship. A (for me, continuing) demonstration that "people will always be kind." And a realization by all, that this unexpected evening would, most probably, be a one time event. Their mail ended with: "We wait to hear more news of your (my italics)exciting life."

Exciting life? Me? Uhhhh... well... I have experienced virtually every region of France. And, in all modesty (of which as you know, dear reader, I have an unlimited supply) I "know" more about those regions than most of the natives here. But, exciting?

For me, "exciting" is a sudden, unexpected jolt of adrenalin. Usually flavored heavily with pleasure, joy, happiness, or some positive variation thereof. Like winning the lottery or discovering your bank balance gained some zeros on the end overnight. Exciting? Absolutely! A roller coaster ride. Not my personal cup o' tea. But exciting? Yup.

Chained to my computer on a sunny day, curtains drawn, chirping birds punishing me with their happiness, as my software refuses to do it's job. Exciting? But wait... there's more! When, after a million light years on hold (which I am paying for) the tech geek says: "Gee - never heard o' anything like that before." And does he then continue: "What I'd suggest is..." You know the answer dear reader, do you not? Exciting?

A flat tire in beyond the middle of nowhere. In a plus 9 gale with horizontal sheets of magnum force rain. After 10 hrs in the saddle, and 2 yet to go. You're exhausted. You're starving. And, (wouldn't ya know it) you have to pee like there's no tomorrow! Exciting?

Your (only) Camcorder craps out 10 days before a major shoot and, you guessed it - no one in Europe has the part. Soooo - back it goes to the excited states, while you sweat bullets, with each kilometer, creeping forward to your rendezvous with one of the most celebrated chefs in France. Trying to imagine how you'll finesse a video shoot with no camera. If "free floating anxiety/latent panic" are your ideas of "excitement"... then this, clearly, is the zenith of excitement!

For the most part, I guess I think of my life more in terms of satisfaction and contentment. Both of which, are the obvious results of memorable travels and countless marvelous meetings. Treasured even more for their spontaneity.

Past satisfaction and contentment, there are rare, but definite moments of pure Bliss. Most of them, relating to smells. The heady scent of Provencal lavender on a baking hot day. The almost medicinal aroma of pine, surfing the forests of the Var, in equally sweltering heat. The early morning perfume of freshly baked bread as you glide through a tiny perfect village, still sleeping. Expect for the postman on his clunky yellow bike.

But for me, the greatest, defining moment of bliss, is floating through a landscape so perfect, with light so clear and soft you want to stop every other minute. Not just for a photo opp. But simply to marvel at it all. In this moment of bliss, the road is a glass smooth, no potholes surface. No cars. No billboards. You're not hungry. Not tired. And the temperature is pleasantly warm, with a soft, caressing breeze.

This, dear reader, is what I live for.

 This is the "pinch yourself" moment. When you can't believe that life can be this perfect. And(as you're pinching yourself) realizing that there are kazillions of people all over the world (some of whom you know) who are in suits and (uggh!)inside! Even worse, some are in suits, in cars, stuck in traffic, with no good song on the radio!

It is at that moment, regardless of whether you believe in luck, destiny, fate, or none of the above, that you know(and appreciate) beyond the hint of a shadow of a doubt - you are on the right road!

"I have taken the road not taken and it has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost

There you have it, dear reader. The black, white and grey of my life.(So far!)

Exciting? Or just "different?"
THROW ME A BONE HERE PEOPLE!

What are ya Thinkin'?

Christopher Strong is the Creator/Director/Host of the Lifestyle/Adventure TV Series - "Bicycle Gourmet's Treasures of France", and author of "Gliding to the Bonheur." His behind the scenes story of the "Bicycle Gourmet experience."

Share more of his adventures at - http://www.bicyclegourmet.com/

Two Book Reviews on Travel

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Off the Tourist Trail: 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives by Bill Bryson is the lowdown on our planet's pristine points of interest and activities. It shows hundreds of over visited spots - anything from national parks to commercialized museums - and discloses 1,000 refreshing and intriguing different alternatives. Compiled by a group of travel authorities, and along with a foreword by Bill Bryson, this particular guide provides attractive locations, stunning areas, spectacular natural delights and memorable activities alive with educational narrative and breathtaking images.

Select the desired destination by subject - Historic and Ancient Places, Celebrations and Events, Fantastic Trips, Architectural tours, Natural Treasures, Seashores, Sporting activities and Pursuits, Artistic creation and cultural, and Locations - or just search this specific delicious guidebook and become empowered. Useful guidance on finding your way there and getting about, a place to stay, where you can dine and when to visit, in addition to helpful 'Need to Know' details, provide you with the best from your time and effort apart.

Much less congested, typically more affordable, and frequently a whole lot more magnificent and satisfying, these types of little-advertised miracles around the globe inspire visitors to say goodbye to the well-known but tired options, reminding individuals exactly what genuine travel is exactly about - avoiding the mundane and taking on fresh new places.

You will find freedom, freshness and fun when you follow the trail offered in Off the Tourist Trail.
DK Travel

A Season in Heaven
David Tomory

"A season in Heaven" is a compilation of factual tales relayed through the hippies from the later 60's and beginning 70's, which set out on the Hippy trail from Istanbul to Katmandu.

If someone desires to find out how all of it began, the way the hippies funded their journeys, the way they endure long-term while traveling as well as the important things they have learned on the way, this particular book describes everything.

The writing is easy and simple to follow. The tactic is clear-cut: David Tomory, a traveling hippy himself, blended those brief interviews organized by the villages and locations stopped at along the trek.

The hippies, as everyone knows, had been the folks that preferred as much as possible freedom. They would depart their homes with a small amount of cash inside their wallets and lived through months or even years traveling. How was this accomplished? The honest answer is: panhandling, drug dealing, starting small enterprises, carrying out little tasks for others or lodging free of charge in ashrams, hostels or perhaps in caves with the religious sadhus.

India was the "hip" place to go. The Beatles made is popular and the spiritual quests began for many young hippies. At first the Prime Minister of India loved them, and then they wanted to through them out. But going to India was the thing "love children" wanted to do to experience enlightenment and freedom.

Because they were the free generation they used word of mouth rather than obtaining guidebooks. They saw people and places along the way that others had never heard of. They hitchhiked and road magical "freak" busses along the route from Istanbul to Deli. The trip was long and arduous with many obstacles along the way. Illness, border crossing troubles, failures in the vehicles all made for a very long journey. But once they arrived in India, this spiritual, mystical country became home to many a hippie traveler. Some have never left.

Many spiritual seekers today specifically go to India for the spiritual quest inspired by earlier hippies. Now they cannot not travel the hippie trail as easily as they did in the 60's and early 70's, because of the changes in the political climates. However the countries described in a Season in Heaven shows the appreciation for the natural and rugged beauty of Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq that we don't hear about today. The hippies seemed to be pioneers who were fearless and free. Those who read this account will either remember the times with nostalgia or the younger generation will look at the accounts with a bit of envy.

The book is a fascinating account of a special time in the world's history and in the evolution of a generation. It's a good read for traveler and historian alike.
Lonely Planet Publications

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