Shifting Gears
In my last email I was saying that narrative travel writing is usually not worth reading, but that it can be effective when it teaches us something interesting, or when it keeps us curious about what happens next. I presumed that you would not enjoy reading simply an optimistic description of a jaunt through the countryside, but something with a twinge of adventure, danger perhaps. I also said that some writers achieve the effect through exaggeration or invention.
Some responded to my last email with “Well, go on—and tell us what happened with the Gendarmes!”
Okay, here is what I wrote, and here is the truth about what happened with the Gendarmes: Stopped by the Gendarmes – true; Didn’t have passport—true; Didn’t have license—true; Didn’t have insurance card – true; Didn’t have orange vest—true; Spoke to them in English – true; No blinking safety light – true. All true.
What you might have imagined: Roland, weaving and speeding illegally through a curvy French road, stinking of Cabernet Franc. Suddenly, four blue-uniformed policemen resembling Dolph Lundgren appear around a corner, machine guns pointing. They wave him over and begin to give him the third degree, while Malana sits terrified in the passenger seat…
What actually happened: Roland and Malana, driving so slowly through a town that a convoy of tailgaters stacks up behind them. As we pass the Gendarmerie on the edge of the town, a lounging group of uniformed young men and women wave us over, no guns or weapons in sight. I stop, and one of them comes up to my window. As I roll it down, Malana in the passenger seat rolls her eyes.
Peach Fuzz: “Bonjour, monsieur.”
Me: “Bonjour.”
Peach Fuzz: (In French) “Are you from the United States?”
Me: (In English) “Yes.”
Peach Fuzz: (In French) “Are you on vacation?”
Me: (In English) “Yes.”
Peach Fuzz: (In French) “Okay, have a nice time. Thank you.”
Me: “Merci.”
Looking forward to more adventures…see you next time.
Francescapes: 