Vacations are fun, stressful, rejuvenating, and often enlightening. Forrest and I just returned from our biking trip in Provence. Every time I travel, I observe more about myself.
Forrest and Judy in France with the landlady's dog Syrah who visited every day.
The Latin root of vacation is “vacatio” (exemption from duty) and the Latin verb is “vacare” (to empty). Webster defines vacation as “a period of suspension of regular work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel.”
A quick color sketch of France's equivalent to the US's Grand Canyon: "Les Gorges du Verdon."
Ok, so Forrest and I do the recreation and travel parts in spades. Biking in France is an incredibly satisfying and rewarding experience (if you’re into that sort of thing). The French are acutely aware of bicyclists, so you feel very safe on the road. The areas we bike in are country/village-like surrounded by fields of sheep, horses, vineyards and orchards, punctuated by small villages containing little cafe/bars where you can get a fabulous lunch (with wine of course!) at a very attractive price. Village people are friendly and meet us more than half-way when we try out our so-so French.
Work in progress, the beginning stage, just drawing in the Leafy Sea Dragon after the first color wash.
We experienced many rewarding moments connecting with people in everyday transactions. A food purchase goes something like this: We spend quite a bit of time determining what we want and then more time thinking about how to ask for it in French, then deciding to just go for it with what we know, followed by a lot of pointing and nodding or shaking of heads until the item we want is chosen. Next, is trying to convey quantity, usually by the attendant indicating portions with a knife and us shaking our heads “no” until we get to “yes”.
The same goes for every transaction of every day; the stress of that adds up. Figure in the 24 hours it takes to get to France, the stress of travel itself, finding your way in unfamiliar surroundings, translating all sorts of signage from roadways to train tickets to menus, and thinking and speaking in an unfamiliar language.
Work in progress, the middle stage, starting to define Leafy Sea Dragon with negative painting.
So, why go? The fearful part of me would have me not. I’ve allowed fear to limit my choices for too long. I am so grateful to Forrest and pleased with my willingness to take risks. Moving beyond my self-imposed limitations has enabled me to open this Website, to pursue my dream of being an artist, and to continue to create the life I’ve always wanted to live. Everything moves forward hand in hand. For me, that includes an increased appreciation for my creative self, a willingness to grow beyond previously accepted boundaries/expectations, an expanded view of myself and the world around me, and an eager anticipation of what’s to come.
The final piece, "Play Misty for Me" ©Judy Aveiro
As I first stated, the experience of travel enhances me. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to travel; for the exposure to a different culture and country, especially one so beautiful and elegant; to find that there are other and (for me) better ways of living day to day. I love the challenge of learning French and the reward of connecting to someone in another language. I appreciate how the stress of travel has helped me to find my voice, to express what I want, to simply state what is best for me. Traveling to France is amazing, but the journey inside myself means just as much.
Stay tuned!