1992. I was in France for two years, and decidedly lonely.Versailles 2

Jen wrote me a letter (because back then, that’s what you did when you needed to get in touch with someone…) saying that she was thinking of coming to France for a quick visit. Could we hook up?

HELL YES! I was out of my mind excited to have a friend from home to talk to, hang out with. I won’t go into the details, but let’s just say that my living situation was not the happiest at the time.

We only had a weekend, but it was pretty glorious. Walking tour of Paris. Lunch at a little Italian sidewalk café. Pictures at the Arc de Triomphe. Afternoon picnic at Versailles, jaunt to le Hameau de la Reine.

Versailles 1I remember thinking how very jet-setting it was of her to come to Europe on a whim. I was so happy that I got to be at the receiving end of that whim. I was so happy to be tour-guide, to show her my favorite places. For two short but wonderful days, I forgot that I was a lonely 23 year old, 3,000 miles from home. For two short but wonderful days I became an expert in all that was France, and got to show her just how beautiful a country it really is, and how interesting and strange the French really are. Jen left. But the feeling didn’t. 

The next three years were decidedly much better. 

I only had two friends from home visit me during my 5 years in France. Jen was one of them. And I am so glad she was.

-TaryArc de Triomphe