Four weeks flew by since Jackie received this warm welcome from her cousins on arriving in Denver. I picked up my daughter at the Nice airport on Sunday, only she wasn't smiling anymore and neither was I. Read on.
manque de chance (mahnk-deuh-shahnse)
: bad luck, ill luck
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download MP3 or Wave file
On t'a jété un sort? Non, c'est un manque de chance, c'est tout.
Someone's cast a spell on you? No. It's bad luck, that's all.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Does the universe reward us when we step out of our comfort zone?
I am making the 4-hour aller-retour to l'aéroport de Nice to pick up my daughter who is returning from America. Normally Jean-Marc would make the trip, but today he is biking the Etape du Tour where amateurs try their luck along an official section of Tour de France.
My own ride is turning out to be as challenging as my husband's, and this #$%@ GPS application isn't helping any! I've programmed Waze to steer me to Nice Botanical gardens–this in an attempt to take advantage of driving expenses (round trip to Nice costs $60! The jardin botanique is free… Why not get some mileage out of the trip and, more importantly, venture out of this train-train de vie in which staying home and directing a couple of golden retrievers is always the safest bet).
"Ta gueule!" I shout at the GPS. "Shut up!" For the past 20 minutes she's been giving me the run around–around and around the seaside airport. But "l'aéroport de Nice" was the second destination I plugged in to the direction-finder. Worse, she's just commanded me to enter the freeway … only to give me two seconds–and three busy lanes to cross over–to exit again!
Heart pounding in my throat, I pull over to the side of the road and plug back in "jardin botanique 87 Corniche Fleurie." Soon my little car is climbing towards plant heaven. After an hour-long visit among Mediterranean flora–and even a dozen dinosaur Koi–I am as revived as a welcoming committee, et ça tombe bien, yes that will come in handy….
Just as soon as I can get to the damn terminal! Another set-back–this time parking! I've parked in P6, but two minutes into my walk I see a sign with a stick figure and the words "11 minutes." No way I'm making Jackie walk two football fields back to the car after her 24-hour journey! I don't have time to walk them myself–I've got to get to Terminal 1!
I quickly re-park and hurry into T1, where a crowd is waiting behind a barrier marked "ARRIVEES." It's fun watching all the exotic travelers pour out from beneath the "arrivals" sign. Fun until 20 minutes pass and no sign of my own exotic beauty. Where's Jackie?!
A moment later and I have her on the phone–in sanglots, or tears. "What's the matter, Chouchou?"
"I can't find my bag!"
Our conversation goes round and round like a conveyor belt until I put a stop to it: Viens! Tout de suite! (in maternal speak that's Come to Mommy, now!)
My eyes are trained on the ARRIVEES door until one last traveler exits: a tall, pale-faced girl with a long blond pony tail. She falls into my arms, and whimpers… or rather, she falls into my arms and curses like a sailor.
"Jackie!"
"Mais, maman! Why does it always happen to me? It is as though the baggage handlers saw my bag and said, "Let's lose this one!"
"No, Jackie. You have not been singled out. This happens all the time. Welcome to the world of travel and flight connections!"
"But, Mom, these things always happen TO ME!"
"JACKIE! Don't talk that way. That is how losers speak: 'Always me! Always me!'"
I might have reconsidered the "loser" example, which was in no way a statement about my daughter. It could have been about me. Indeed, not two days before, it was I playing the "always me card": why do I always end up in the wrong line at the grocery store? And, Why do I always end up behind the slow-poke at the toll-booth? The guy who has to back out his car in order to get to the correct booth?
"Jackie, that's loser talk. People who mutter "always me" never get anywhere in life! And it is always, as they imply, 'the fault of somebody else'."
Bon, maybe my timing was wrong for another Big Life Lesson. But (standing now at the "claims center for one hour now!), we'd had plenty time to philosophize.
But what's philosophy without a test? Presently it was time for another one of those. When our turn came to file our claim, I turned my frustrations towards the delicate blond beyond the desk:
"Is this really the only way to proceed? I mean, my daughter arrived almost two hours ago–after a 24-hour flight! It is really necessary to wait this long to file a baggage claim?" The two-hour drive ahead of us–in the dark–made me panicky, and the panic easily turned to frustration and indignation.
The delicate blond behind the desk typed away while politely answering my question.
"This is the surest way. Although you could file via internet, but I would not recommend it…." With that she smiled peacefully, and her energy reached out, patting me gently.
A little bird landed on the comptoir between us and the delicate blond greeted him. "If you're lucky, Mister Feathers, you'll get a biscuit…."
I threw open my purse, hoping to be the first to find one! Hélas...
"Do you get a lot of birds here?" I asked, looking around room with the sky-high ceiling. This one must have gotten in through those windows at the top….
"No, only this fella," she said, her eyes dancing over to le petit oiseau before returning to her computer screen.
As we spoke, my daughter's hand slid slowly across the countertop, toward the little brown bird. "He seems tame," Jackie observed.
"Yes, but if he doesn't get his treats he gets testy," she laughed. "He'll then land on my head and stomp his little feet."
Oh no! That would be unfortunate, I thought, admiring the woman's soft curls. And then I made the connection: stomping feet. That poor woman must see a lot of that here at the "file your losses" desk.
I smiled at the delicate blond behind the counter. She continued to type-record masses of mind-numbing data–managing to work peacefully amidst a roomful of savages. I didn't need to give my daughter any more life lessons today. But we could both learn a thing or two from the fair-haired Frenchwoman on the other side of the comptoir. And her hoppity, feathered sidekick might even drill in the lessons, with those insistent feet of his.
Corrections Welcome!
Please use the same comments box to correct the French or English text in this post. It'll be our respectful clin d'oeil or nod to Bill Myers who recently passed away.
Having a lot of fun posting photos on Instagram. See the one of Jean-Marc, about to attempt the Tour de France's "Etape du Tour"! You'll also discover more French words from our daily life. Click here and hit "follow" to see upcoming photos from every day.
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Wonderful and charming. I call my navigation system “our lady of the dashboard” and a very stubborn lady she is. Thank you for a great lesson in positive thinking and patience as I head to the airport in the U.S. for a month in Brittany.
Will you share Jackie’s experience in the U.S.?
Ronni
Wonderful and charming. I call my navigation system “our lady of the dashboard” and a very stubborn lady she is. Thank you for a great lesson in positive thinking and patience as I head to the airport in the U.S. for a month in Brittany.
Will you share Jackie’s experience in the U.S.?
Ronni
Sweet story, and a good reminder for us all to greet life’s trials with more patience and grace. I can imagine how happy you must be, to have Jackie back home with you! Also, I love the new photos on Instagram. Your photos always make me smile. 🙂
Sweet story, and a good reminder for us all to greet life’s trials with more patience and grace. I can imagine how happy you must be, to have Jackie back home with you! Also, I love the new photos on Instagram. Your photos always make me smile. 🙂
Join the club – I am also always in the wrong queue and I’ve never met anyone who claims to manage to get in the right one, but someone must!!!!!!! SO Sorry you didn’t stop here en-route but glad you have got her home now. xoxoxo
Join the club – I am also always in the wrong queue and I’ve never met anyone who claims to manage to get in the right one, but someone must!!!!!!! SO Sorry you didn’t stop here en-route but glad you have got her home now. xoxoxo
Welcome home, Jackie! I hope you had an enjoyable visit here in the states. Today’s story reminds us all of the stamina it takes to travel nowadays. The pretty blond behind the “comptoir” had a calming effect on you; the little bird did his part, too. I hope that your drive home went well. Thanks for an engaging read today. Best wishes. (How nice that you were able to squeeze in a visit to the Nice Botanical Gardens!)
Welcome home, Jackie! I hope you had an enjoyable visit here in the states. Today’s story reminds us all of the stamina it takes to travel nowadays. The pretty blond behind the “comptoir” had a calming effect on you; the little bird did his part, too. I hope that your drive home went well. Thanks for an engaging read today. Best wishes. (How nice that you were able to squeeze in a visit to the Nice Botanical Gardens!)
Don’t worry, Jackie, your bag will come. Just get home safely and take a nice nap and before you know it, a taxi will arrive with your souvenirs.
Don’t worry, Jackie, your bag will come. Just get home safely and take a nice nap and before you know it, a taxi will arrive with your souvenirs.
Did you find Jackie’s luggage?
Did you find Jackie’s luggage?
Wonderful story today–reminding us we are not always “in charge” of the situation–I’ll store it up for the next “big wait”–they come around quite frequently.
Wonderful story today–reminding us we are not always “in charge” of the situation–I’ll store it up for the next “big wait”–they come around quite frequently.
After reading today’s entry, Kristin, I had to remark upon the coincidences… Last August, when we first came to the Côte d’Azur to accompany our son who now lives and works here, we took a very (but unintentionally) circuitous route as we returned in a rented car to the Nice airport, with my husband finding new expletives to express every few kilometers. This time, when we returned to see our son perform, we arrived after a long three-legged flight, only to find that our bags did not make it. The resident petit oiseau who entertained us on the claims counter certainly lightened up a frustrating moment! Thank you for your stories, and the everyday truths you find and share with your readers.
After reading today’s entry, Kristin, I had to remark upon the coincidences… Last August, when we first came to the Côte d’Azur to accompany our son who now lives and works here, we took a very (but unintentionally) circuitous route as we returned in a rented car to the Nice airport, with my husband finding new expletives to express every few kilometers. This time, when we returned to see our son perform, we arrived after a long three-legged flight, only to find that our bags did not make it. The resident petit oiseau who entertained us on the claims counter certainly lightened up a frustrating moment! Thank you for your stories, and the everyday truths you find and share with your readers.
But how was Jackie’s visit avec her cousins?! Maybe that will be in the next installment….Merci
But how was Jackie’s visit avec her cousins?! Maybe that will be in the next installment….Merci
The start and the finish of air travel is never the best part of a trip. You’re either stressed or weary and when there’s a glitch ….. it’s the worst!! I’m glad she is safe at home and hopefully her luggage is, too now.
Her older cousin looks so much like her. They must get comments on that a lot.
This was a sweet story with a good message. Many of us are guilty of feeling like the “always me” victim. Me, included. Lately I remind myself that these tiniest of thoughts cause more misery and give others the power over the direction of our lives. Besides, it could be that I’m chosen to suffer the inconvenience so that someone with greater needs can be sent on. Still…. that puts my life in the control of someone else, too – doesn’t it? Wait a minute… it IS in the control of someone greater!! How’s that for circular thinking babble on your COMMENT page?! (sorry)
In any case.. welcome home, Jackie. It’s always nice when the kiddies are back in the nest, isn’t it Kristie? All’s right with the world. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Looking forward to your Instagram posts.
The start and the finish of air travel is never the best part of a trip. You’re either stressed or weary and when there’s a glitch ….. it’s the worst!! I’m glad she is safe at home and hopefully her luggage is, too now.
Her older cousin looks so much like her. They must get comments on that a lot.
This was a sweet story with a good message. Many of us are guilty of feeling like the “always me” victim. Me, included. Lately I remind myself that these tiniest of thoughts cause more misery and give others the power over the direction of our lives. Besides, it could be that I’m chosen to suffer the inconvenience so that someone with greater needs can be sent on. Still…. that puts my life in the control of someone else, too – doesn’t it? Wait a minute… it IS in the control of someone greater!! How’s that for circular thinking babble on your COMMENT page?! (sorry)
In any case.. welcome home, Jackie. It’s always nice when the kiddies are back in the nest, isn’t it Kristie? All’s right with the world. Enjoy the rest of the season!
Looking forward to your Instagram posts.
OOPS – I guess that IS Jackie in the picture, isn’t it?
(need more coffee)
OOPS – I guess that IS Jackie in the picture, isn’t it?
(need more coffee)
Karen, loving your circular thinking here on the comments page. 🙂
Thank you all for your responses to this story. I have not gotten around to summarizing Jackies trip, but if I had to do so in two words, maybe I could borrow her response to the question Tell me one thing you noticed about America?: ICE CUBES
Karen, loving your circular thinking here on the comments page. 🙂
Thank you all for your responses to this story. I have not gotten around to summarizing Jackies trip, but if I had to do so in two words, maybe I could borrow her response to the question Tell me one thing you noticed about America?: ICE CUBES
I take the tact of saying “A winner says (or does)…” when addressing my kids’ behavior. It gives them the opportunity to decide how to proceed without directly criticizing them. Thank you for these stories.
I take the tact of saying “A winner says (or does)…” when addressing my kids’ behavior. It gives them the opportunity to decide how to proceed without directly criticizing them. Thank you for these stories.
I always heard “Ferme la bouche!” or “Ferme-la” was “Shut up!” Never heard Ta gueule…
I always heard “Ferme la bouche!” or “Ferme-la” was “Shut up!” Never heard Ta gueule…
I think you may have just criticized Kristin, though, Chris.
I think you may have just criticized Kristin, though, Chris.
The airport in Nice has a way of sending us all in circles, with or without our GPS! Thanks for sharing your delightful lesson from the sweet girl behind the counter and Mister Feathers.
The airport in Nice has a way of sending us all in circles, with or without our GPS! Thanks for sharing your delightful lesson from the sweet girl behind the counter and Mister Feathers.
Bonjour Kristin 🙂
Vient tout de suit should be Vient tout de suite
ARRIVES should be ARRIVEES (feminin)
C’est tout pour aujourd’hui 🙂
I have to say I am surprised at your pleasant interaction with the delicate blonde behind the counter. My past experiences with French service workers has been less than pleasant.
Good for her and the little bird.
Alain
Bonjour Kristin 🙂
Vient tout de suit should be Vient tout de suite
ARRIVES should be ARRIVEES (feminin)
C’est tout pour aujourd’hui 🙂
I have to say I am surprised at your pleasant interaction with the delicate blonde behind the counter. My past experiences with French service workers has been less than pleasant.
Good for her and the little bird.
Alain
Viens, Alain
Viens, Alain
and also, Alain, “arrivés,” because both females and males are arriving.
and also, Alain, “arrivés,” because both females and males are arriving.
Alain, thanks for the helpful corrections. Will get them in at the next chance.
Marjorie, thanks for the correction updates!
Summer, how thoughtful of you to look out for me. But there is no offence taken by Chris’s comment. (Not that I didn’t read it a few times while checking my pulse 🙂
Alain, thanks for the helpful corrections. Will get them in at the next chance.
Marjorie, thanks for the correction updates!
Summer, how thoughtful of you to look out for me. But there is no offence taken by Chris’s comment. (Not that I didn’t read it a few times while checking my pulse 🙂
Loved the post! Life happens! If one is out & about living life to the fullest, there simply are more opportunities for things to go wrong. What a blessing to be able to travel, see the world, visit with friends & family. If one just putters in their own garden, they certainly can keep things more orderly, but think of the adventures missed, lessons not learned, loved ones not hugged. Just in case, always take a carry-on for things you couldn’t bear to lose, gifts & souvenirs, and a change of clothes. Then lost luggage becomes a much more minor inconvenience. House & pet sitting for my niece in Portland, OR, rainy & 57.
Loved the post! Life happens! If one is out & about living life to the fullest, there simply are more opportunities for things to go wrong. What a blessing to be able to travel, see the world, visit with friends & family. If one just putters in their own garden, they certainly can keep things more orderly, but think of the adventures missed, lessons not learned, loved ones not hugged. Just in case, always take a carry-on for things you couldn’t bear to lose, gifts & souvenirs, and a change of clothes. Then lost luggage becomes a much more minor inconvenience. House & pet sitting for my niece in Portland, OR, rainy & 57.
Your ellipses are still wrong. They are: space, dot, dot, dot, space.
Your ellipses are still wrong. They are: space, dot, dot, dot, space.
I really liked this post Kristin. It is life, and it is travel today. I’m so glad Jackie is safe and home.
Nothing wrong with saying “losers think like that” because it’s true!
Winners think differently —- exactly what you were pointing out.
Betty —- have fun in Portland, OR. I’m on the coast of OR and 2 hours away from Portland. I envy their weather!
Stay well!
I really liked this post Kristin. It is life, and it is travel today. I’m so glad Jackie is safe and home.
Nothing wrong with saying “losers think like that” because it’s true!
Winners think differently —- exactly what you were pointing out.
Betty —- have fun in Portland, OR. I’m on the coast of OR and 2 hours away from Portland. I envy their weather!
Stay well!
Bonjour Kristin: I enjoyed your today’s story and I can really relate to it. I just came back from Europe and I’ve got my own frustrations at CDG airport. I was supposed to be picked up by Paris Shuttle upon arrival, but nobody came for me. Only after 4 phone calls and a long wait of almost 2 hours did somebody finally show up with the pancarte with my name on it. Needless to say, I was simply exhausted after over a day on the road. The service people derriere le comptoir sont souvent terribles. That must be a common problem in France, for I saw a French movie long time ago in which a traveler got frustrated, asking questions when the pretty girl behind the counter just took time to paint her nails.
Mais mes vacances en Normandie et à Paris étaient fantastiques.
I have been busy, so I missed many stories from you, mais je pense souvent à toi. À propos, pendant mon voyage, j’ai rencontré quelqu’un qui est aussi ta lectrice. Que le monde est petit!
Bonjour Kristin: I enjoyed your today’s story and I can really relate to it. I just came back from Europe and I’ve got my own frustrations at CDG airport. I was supposed to be picked up by Paris Shuttle upon arrival, but nobody came for me. Only after 4 phone calls and a long wait of almost 2 hours did somebody finally show up with the pancarte with my name on it. Needless to say, I was simply exhausted after over a day on the road. The service people derriere le comptoir sont souvent terribles. That must be a common problem in France, for I saw a French movie long time ago in which a traveler got frustrated, asking questions when the pretty girl behind the counter just took time to paint her nails.
Mais mes vacances en Normandie et à Paris étaient fantastiques.
I have been busy, so I missed many stories from you, mais je pense souvent à toi. À propos, pendant mon voyage, j’ai rencontré quelqu’un qui est aussi ta lectrice. Que le monde est petit!
Our dear Kristi,
Another completely wonderful post today!
I especially loved the ending,your description of that sweet little bird,and the lesson there to be learned–and remembered by all of us when we feel we are especially being signaled out!!
THANK YOU!!!
Love
Natalia. xo
Our dear Kristi,
Another completely wonderful post today!
I especially loved the ending,your description of that sweet little bird,and the lesson there to be learned–and remembered by all of us when we feel we are especially being signaled out!!
THANK YOU!!!
Love
Natalia. xo