encounters

As intersections of life converge, it is often the people that populate our roads that fuel the direction of our paths. In minor ways, as it can only be found in brief/short lived encounters. In this moment, as the three weeks in aix dwindle to about a week I have just become barely able to get some sleep, reduced limited nap times, acquaint myself with short cuts and lastly delicious foods.

The Archer that conducts business underneath my flat has been my source of introduction to the community. He is my 411 for all purposes, sometimes he is insightful sometimes I get the manly "Je ne se pas". I am pleased with either as his energy is often in good spirits and pleasant. On Monday, as I descend the streets to Cours Mirabeau for my doze of gelato, I spotted him across the way and he was with children, obviously his. Introductions were made to a boy and a girl ages from 8-10? Shy, unruly dirty blond hair. They lacked the looks I was expecting from an ex-football(soccer) player which I would assume had hitched a Barbie doll of sorts. Nevertheless, we chatted and continued on our paths.

The following day we shared a few moments in my flat, while his phone charged and he shared the unspoken. Marital status. Never married, lived together for 14 years, she was now 35! and seeking some freedom. Understandable for a woman that became involved in her early twenties. It is understood that humans need the time to explore all their options, as it pertains to careers and lovers. Going through that process of failure allows us to understand from the void, not only the needs but the likes and dislikes that construct our selection process. So indeed as it would be expected from my experience, roaming various beds is part of the course. Sadly, our friend is a bit older and did all the exploitations needed and is in the mist of heartbreak and eventual healing. Bonne chance! its a long road a head for him and a short road ahead of any romantic expectations.

It has been quite interesting meeting various French men, even-though dear shopkeeper is Belge, that all have been married/divorced. As a late bloomer and still unmarried I find it disappointing that every man I meet is in this marital status. It started from the Malibu Hippie in LA, to the Photographer newly transplanted to NYC, to the Wine keeper in Nolita to dear shopkeeper in Aix en Provence. I am not sure if it is the passion in their hearts and romantic ....that allows their hearts to fall in/out of love or simply the demographics of our age group. As time and years continue their downward spiral I am convinced it is the simplicity of ageism and life's course of growth and evolution.

I of course find myself single and more often that not rejected and disappointed in love and men. I belief circumstances of nurture vs nature have some implications. In my first installment of documenting my life, titled "Dysfunctional" I would eventually address the nurture vs nature ideology. In the second one, titled "Perpetually Single/Alone" I will depict the dating debacle that has been since I separated at 24 from my high school boyfriend of 9 years. While this is titled "Wanderlust" we will touch briefly on the ingredients that support the foundations of one's life as a way that beyond dysfunctionally and circumstances we are able to succeed/grow and become our dreams' desire.

Slightly side tracked, the hopes that the Latin fortune teller said I would immediately meet a lover are no longer existent based on various signs from the shopkeeper and aforementioned details. Nevertheless, it is at this point in my life that I am less expectant of men and more expectant with creating and designing. The former which often has been in my thoughts, is taking a back seat to laying the foundation of an early retirement.

Nevertheless, I am ecstatic to have a gentle caring new friend that invites me to St. Tropez for the weekend. So, love life is non-existent but I get to spend a weekend in St. Tropez overlooking the sea just a few meters away. Not bad for a week in Aix!