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30

May

A Vagabond Travel Day With Sheep in Provence

by Sheron Long on May 30, 2013

Blocks spelling "Wing It," showing the value of vagabond travel

Wing it and find the surprise of the unknown.
© Sheron Long

Off the Beaten Path, Life Is Full of Surprises

It never fails. The day I decide to wing it and wander away from the travel itinerary is the day that etches the best memories in my mind.

Maybe it’s because I’m here in France where being a flâneur (stroller, wanderer, vagabond in a good sense) is valued, much like an art form. Maybe it’s because the unexpected surprises of life put a bigger smile on my face.

No matter, in many an “Oh, I see” moment, I’ve learned that making space for vagabond travel days is essential to a well-planned itinerary.

Wall-to-Wall Sheep

Yesterday was no exception. I wandered into our village and noticed a crowd gathering on the street. Something told me to forget about the quest for croissants and take up a position.

It was the Transhumance, the day that shepherds take their flocks from the lowlands to the highlands where food is more plentiful this time of year. Can you imagine the sight—3,000 sheep in the street?

Sheep moving through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and showing bystanders that life is full of surprises

Border collies and shepherds led the flock into town.
© Sheron Long

Before you saw the massive amount of wool, you heard the sheep coming. They baa-ed and bleated their way through town.

Sheep moving through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and showing bystanders that life is full of surprises

Noisy sheep with loud bells!

The troop progressed, some showing off horns and pom-poms. I gawked at the wool that went wall-to-wall, and I loved the surprise of it all!

Sheep moving through Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and showing bystanders that life is full of surprises

The flock filled the street in our village with wall-to-wall wool.
© Sheron Long

Aside from the annual procession in Saint-Rémy, other parades of animals—sheep, cattle, and horses—are part of the celebration of Marseille-Provence as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. Transhumance events continue through the region until June 9, 2013, when they culminate in a large parade through Marseille.

Off the Beaten Path

In such public parades, however, I realized that the sheep were coming to me, somewhat out of place on a street. Surely, there was a way I could go to them for an even more authentic experience.

I could feel wanderlust taking over, and the plan for the next couple of days was shot.

Armed with wheels, feet, and a wing-it attitude, I began to explore the back roads of Provence in the rain, looking for wide open spaces that could house the troops of sheep as they made their way through the region.

I ran across shepherds participating in sheepdog trials, helicopters flying overhead to document troop movement from the air, bivouacs of horseback riders, and pens of big and baby bulls.

But it was on unknown land where the road ended past the Étang des Aulnes in Saint-Martin-de-Crau that I found what I was looking for—a troop of sheep munching away at the end of their day and delivering quiet baas to punctuate the rhythm of the rain.

Sheep grazing in Provence, seen on a vagabond travel day and showing that life is full of surprises

Sheep ending their day in the rain, unaware of villages and processions
© Sheron Long

I stood in the rain and took it all in, feeling now like I had the fuller picture. Then the shepherd, dressed in a robe of old, raised his left hand, a sign to his faithful border collies to take the sheep home. They were gone in an instant, it seemed, and it was one I’m glad I didn’t miss.

Provence shepherd, seen on a vagabond travel day and showing that life is full of surprises

A shepherd in Provence with two border collies and other faithful herding dogs
© Sheron Long

For more on how travel makes us happy, see this CNN travel article by Winnie So. 

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

 

Art of Travel/France

11

Oct

Life Lesson: Slowing Down at the Airport

by Janine Boylan October 11, 2012

If video does not display, watch it here.

Connecting with People Instead of a Flight

Like the planes in this video, I had been zooming in and out of airports all day long—from early in the morning until dark. In fact, I was at my fourth airport of the day. And I still wasn’t home.

The night before, my flight in Dallas had been cancelled. After just three hours of sleep, I negotiated a flight to Houston, and then rushed onto another plane to Nashville, where I stopped long enough to give a ten-minute presentation.

Then I caught a plane to Chicago, which was supposed to be the last stop before home.

Rushing to Be First in Line

I had taken possession of a seat near the boarding gate. I noticed that everyone on this flight seemed to have a carry-on bag. That meant lots of competition for overhead storage space.

But if I strategically jumped up to be first in line, I knew I could at least get my luggage in the bins. I double checked that my boarding pass was ready and that my bag was facing the right way for me to grab and go.

Once I knew everything was ready, I sat back in my seat and looked onto the pitch black runway. Knife cuts of lightning flashed in the sky. Rain drops snaked down the glass.

The Dreaded Delays Set In

The screen over the desk promised the scheduled departure time.  Then the time began to inch 10 minutes later, 20 minutes later . . .

People were filling the empty seats that other passengers had politely left between groups of travelers. Before long there wasn’t a column left to lean against, and teens in cut off jeans were starting to occupy the floor. The air was thick with frustration.

The speaker crackled, and a simultaneous groan came out of every seasoned business traveller who knew what was coming:

“The FAA has closed the airport until further notice due to the storm.”

“The plane that was scheduled to land here is now landing in Minneapolis.”

“The plane that was right behind it is on its way to Detroit.”

“We’re looking for another plane and will keep you informed as we receive news.”

I took the opportunity to download another book. I settled into my seat, raising my imaginary walls, retreating into my private world, refusing to even look at other passengers who might take valuable overhead storage space.

But the woman next to me leaned over and explained that she had been traveling from Europe. She was tired and wanted a bottle of water. Would I mind saving her seat while she went and bought one?

A Change in Strategy

As I raised my head to acknowledge her, I had an Oh, I see moment. Something was happening around me. The delay of the plane had broken down the barriers between strangers, and people were coming together.

A retired couple was making funny faces at a baby to keep her laughing.

A bearded, T-shirt-clad man was gesturing wildly to illustrate a story he was sharing with a smiling business man.

Parents with a stroller filled with suitcases sat back as their two toddlers charmed a group of teenage girls.

This inspired me to slide my suitcase over and save my new friend’s seat. When she returned, in between calls and texts to family members, we shared experiences and found we both loved learning languages.

She was moving to a place near my home, so I provided some tips for apartment hunting. I found her stories much more interesting than the book I had downloaded.

Several crackly announcements later, the voice promised that our plane had arrived, and we would be boarding. I rechecked my boarding pass, repositioned my bag, and prepared to get in the line.

But this time I wasn’t worried about being first. Did it really matter if I had to check my bag?

A tiny life challenge had become a life lesson. I was about to board with a big group of friends.

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Art of Travel/Life Lessons

27

Sep

Life Lessons at the Top of a Paris Tour Bus

by Sheron Long on September 27, 2012

Open air tour bus in Paris leading to life lessons

The best seat in the house?
© Sheron Long

The seat at the top of a Paris tour bus—I wanted it. I ran for it. I got it. My good friend often tells me, “Watch out what you wish for.” OK, buddy, after it rained all kinds of “Oh, I see” moments on me, now I see what you mean!

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

 

Art of Travel/Life Lessons

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