Ahh ces Français...
by Kevin Freitas
It's been awhile since I've found myself in the company of friends from across the pond. New found friends, old allies and quintessentially French. I have a little confession to make, they haven't changed much. When I was living in Paris and later in Brussels, I went out of my way to avoid "running into" Americans. I was there to learn the language and adopt the culture. Since I've gotten back to the states, I have tried to not "run into" any French (I know it's wierd) and up until now, the tactic has worked. Then along came Michele and then shortly afterwards, Guillaume - a reincarnated Jack Kerouac. Thank God.
To make a long story short, adopted San Diego artist Michele Guieu invited another Parisienne (my wife) - Michele is from Marseille - and me over to dinner with her American husband Kyle, to meet Guillaume. Guillaume is a writer and travel blogger who works for the French newspaper Libération, which for as long as I can remember didn't have the most favorable opinion on America. Guillaume tells me they have shifted their attention to their new President, Nicolas Sarkozy. Tant mieux.
Guillaume Chérel's blog - Sur les pas de Jack Kerouac (click for larger image)
It has also been quite some time that I have dined à la française with les bonnes manières de tables, meaning good wine, conversation, salad, main course and then dessert, more wine, more conversation, debate, cigares for those who smoke, more wine, nibbling on the leftovers etc. - and all this while still SITTING at the table! If there is one thing Americans truly don't know how to do, it's enjoying a meal and the company they're with. You'll hardly find a confortable couch and a TV blarring to retire to in France, all the action passes at the table.
Anyway, all this to say that Guillaume is re-tracing the steps and travels of his hero Jack Kerouac, second only to Jack London his all time favorite author, and is writing about it on his blog Sur le pas de Jack Kerouac. It is part adventure, part fantasy, and part reality show à l'américaine, and only in french (sorry). Find someone to translate, it will be worth the effort. Bon voyage!
Comments
Thanks Mister Patatas Freitas... eh he... J`ai plus de comments que toi my friend... And i`m taller than you... I can be American... You are very europeen... No ?
Posted by: Guillaume Cherel | août 7, 2008 12:30 PM