Why Do I Love to Travel?

When Bob and I arrived in Paris back in August, it was hot, we were jet lagged, and the sheer mass of humanity swarming around us was a bit much for two "Sequimites", used to our quiet little retirement community!  All of a sudden I realized that all of those French classes with Miriam, didn't mean I could talk fluently with the locals, or even understand a few sentences from our taxi driver!  The thought occurrred to me: "What have we done?  Why did we think living in Paris for 3 months was a good idea?"  

Well, here's why it was a brilliant idea:  The people you meet and the adventures you have are what make travel such an enriching experience!  At least for me, that's the reason I travel. Oh yes, you see beautiful buildings, dramatic scenery, great art, eat delicious and unusual food, drink good wine, etc. etc. but it always comes back to the people.  

On a trip to France 10 years ago, we spent a week doing volunteer work at a Christian Retreat Center in Southern France, near Aix en Provence.  It was such a marvelous experience that we returned the next year for two months and Bob organized several people from Sequim to join us in one week increments to do a large project.  While there, we met a number of young volunteers from other countries.  These young adults were all so wonderful that we put out an open invitation to any of them to come visit us in the U.S.  Annika, from Germany, came to Sequim a few months later and stayed for 3 months.  A few years later she recommended that Jenny, a friend of her sister come to see us.  One thing led to another and over the years we have had six other lovely Germans come to live with us for a month in the summer.  Also from that open invitation, have had two visits from Caroline, a New Zealander.  All of this is to say, that you never know where travel will lead you or how it will impact your life.  We never considered having other people come and live with us, other than for a night or two.  But here we are!  

Back to Paris... So here we are, and because of our previous travel encounters, we are enjoying a stream of visitors throughout our 3 months.  Right off the bat Jenny & her husband Basti came for five days.  Caroline has stopped by two times for a total of about 8 or 9 days.  

Last weekend we flew to London to visit Caroline & Jon whom we met on the Abel Tasman Track in NZ last year!  They not only showed us around the English countryside and London for four days... they let us stay in their home and gave us their bedroom rather than split us up into their daughter's bedrooms! During our whirlwind tour we visited a quaint village and met Fergus the Clydesdale.  He was a very friendly,cordial chap, but I don't think we will invite him to visit us in Sequim!

In a few days we will have lunch with two couples who will be passing thru Paris for a few days.  We know Sylvie and Alan from our yearly anniversary trip to Vancouver Island in British Columbia.  Marla and Alan we met while walking the Camino de Santiago.  (They have just finished riding bikes on the center section of the Camino, and Sylvie in the past walked the entire pilgrimage and she and Alan just did a week of volunteering at an Alberge on the Camino!) We will all meet for lunch on the Isle de St Louis and trade tales of travel adventures!  

Then, a day later Marco & Sara from Germany will arrive for a week's visit.  Followed by Annika, her husband Fabi and five of their friends!  So we have come full circle, back to Annika who started our "foreign exchange program" and opened our hearts to fellow travelers!