Normally I am a shy person. I pretend, often quite convincingly, that I'm not.
However, in all my years of travel, I have never just popped in on someone who was simply a friend of a friend. Even when they say the usual "Oh you will love them. They will love you" stuff. Because chances are it won't be that way. They won't love me at all because so much of love is built on history and shared experience. It will be awkward and silent and whatever gift I might have brought with me will smack of the Goldilocks syndrome- too small, too big, too wrong.
This journey, in an attempt to grow and mature, eg to feel the fear and do it anyway, I did drop in on two different houses of friends of friends. The first experience was so wonderful I regretted all the times I had abstained. All those fascinating people my friends have photos of and send Christmas cards to have been missed opportunities to do what people do - make meaningful connections, expand their tribe, fill their address book or multiply their Facebook friends.
The second visit reminded me why I have avoided launching myself upon a stranger. He had been an internationally acclaimed trapeze artist, making him far too interesting, handsome, extraordinary and utterly preoccupied with wooing a very beautiful young woman he had obviously just met. A middle-aged motor biker with matted down hair just didn't cut it. He didn't recognise our unshared history.
I won't dwell on our mistiming. Only be grateful I wasn't flying through the air waiting for him to catch me.
La Source, Bostfaucher
I was aiming to arrive at 4 pm for the afternoon break in the Daily Rhythm of meditation and silent mindfulness. Although I was rudely late, and cringing at the noise Louise cut into the quiet of the valley, Lizzy and David welcomed me with open arms and an overwhelmingly delicious rich chocolately fruity extravaganza of a cake which we ate in the garden with quaint little cake forks.
Like butterflies we landed briefly to enjoy the sweet nectar of meaningful conversation on ideas of philosophy and spirituality, gardening and cake recipes. Then I had a tour of the vegetable garden and the house which they have converted to fulfill a shared dream. They offer retreats for the weary, those in need of a rest or change of perspective. Our hour together was both delightful and rewarding, imagine a whole week.
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