"What's the name of the Japanese Emperor? What's his daughter's name? How old is she?"
Elena's uncle was hyper from the moment we met. He fired off questions nonstop. The only fact was that he has ten siblings. Everything else was a joke. He really only told jokes.
The country bakery, and through the vineyards
Woke up at 9:30 AM. Today I was meeting up with my uncle and heading to a cottage near a small town called Saint-Genies. We left at 11:30.
This morning too, I didn't know how to greet people when I woke up, and thinking about it was stressful for me. I could just say 'good morning,' but I overthink things. In the end I even waited about 30 minutes to take a shower, so I thought it's important to wake up early and be the first to shower.
Breakfast was baguette and butter. French baguettes are incredibly delicious. I stuffed yesterday's bread into the bread maker, and when it was done I tried to take it out by hand but it was really hot, so Elena used special tongs to take it out. They use a retro bread maker in France, so I didn't know how to use it.
In the morning Elena and I talked for about 30 minutes about an annoying professor at university. There was a teacher who wouldn't give grades to students who worked hard, and when Elena reported it to the head of education or someone, that teacher apparently got fired. How cool is that. Shy but independent, people who go through hardships become stronger like this. Compared to before—although I only met her 1.5 years ago—I think she's a strong person.
The first stop was the bakery in the town where Elena grew up. A shop that's called "the best!"
It's a country bakery, but the pain au chocolat was huge and the croissants were really proper croissants. They looked extremely delicious.
Driving along country roads. Along the way there were many vineyards, and I could feel France. The wine-producing region of the wine I drank two days ago at lunch. Regional wine, grape variety Syrah. Jazz was always playing in the car.
Elena's car is small, and because of that it has a certain romance and charm. The fact that it's not a luxury or brand-new car is actually what makes it nice.
Meeting up with my uncle
Arrived in a town called Cosard. It was a beautiful town where you could feel a real France that didn't feel rural. Her mother asked, "Do you want to eat something at a café? Or go for a walk?" so we decided to go to a café. When forced to choose you inevitably get indecisive. I don't know which choice I actually want. To be honest, I wanted to relax in the car.
When we arrived at the café there were lots of delicious-looking cakes and foods. This time I decided to pay myself and took out my wallet, but her mother bought me tea as well. She even bought the marron glacé that Elena loves, for me too.
When I was about to sit down, I didn't know where to sit and my Japanese mindset came out. I started thinking the furthest seat should be for her mother, and things like that. But in France that doesn't exist; any seat is fine. Given Elena's personality—she doesn't worry about anything—it's probably fine to sit anywhere. I was confused, so I went to the restroom for a bit.
When I came back from the restroom, my uncle and his wife had arrived. My uncle was high-energy and talkative. He asked me all sorts of questions. "Do I look 68?" People like that automatically tell all kinds of stories, so I don't have to speak and it's really easy. I'm sure Elena thinks so too. The shop had lots of chocolates and sweets and everything looked delicious.
The marron glacé was absolutely delicious. It was wrapped in gold foil so at first I thought it was chocolate. But it was chestnut.
To La Bastide Saint-Genies
We got back in the car and headed to the final destination. About another hour. It turned out to be a trip to a countryside cottage rather than spending time at my uncle's family home.
In the car we talked about truffles. The region we were going to is apparently famous for black truffles. It's said to be a town with the cutest architectural style in France.
Elena showed me paintings she'd drawn. She was very skilled and caring toward her friends. Her heart is warm. She always tries to do things that help others and loves giving to people. Drawing is easier and more enjoyable for her than playing the piano. Unlike piano, which requires memorizing notes and practicing, a drawing can be expressed immediately.
Arrived at the small town: La Bastide Saint-Genies. There are no mountains; it feels like a basin with a vast expanse of land and a few houses. Horses were grazing.
To be able to spend the New Year in a landscape like this. Normally when people travel to France they go to cities like Paris or Toulouse, sit in cafés, tour the tourist spots and that's it. I don't like that; I'm always interested in people. That's why I was blessed with good connections, met Elena, became part of her family and was able to welcome the New Year. I'm truly happy.
The cottage was so big it surprised me. In Japan cottages for four people are small. This French house was vast and astonishing.
The three of us—me, Elena and Dominic—went to the supermarket to buy baguette. I picked up a postcard, caramel pudding and a marron to buy. When I said to Elena, 'Buy the marron!' she replied like, 'We have them at home so you don't need to buy one.' At checkout my uncle said, 'Kota! It's okay, I'll buy it for you!' He's kind and generous and I'm happy, but for me it's a bit uncomfortable. I don't like people paying for me financially. I enjoy receiving gifts and love being taken care of, but for some reason I don't like being treated financially. By buying it myself it becomes mine and I can eat it whenever I want. In other words, freedom. I realized I seek freedom.
In the morning Elena asked me whether I preferred living alone or living with my grandmother, and of course I said I'd like to live alone. Because everything becomes free. Elena felt the same. Birds of a feather.
Her mother told me, "Elena was really worried—she wondered if Kota might be bored." I told her that's not the case and that I'm having a great time. Elena and I are introverted and very sensitive, so we pick up on things like that easily. Her mother understood us well. Apparently when Elena was in Cyprus, she would call her mother asking what to talk about when going somewhere in a group.
I totally understand that feeling. That's exactly why most of our friends are extroverted people. We're similar to each other. It's fine if there's nothing to talk about. We're happy just sharing time together, and because we like alone time, it's okay—don't worry.
A night by the fireplace, L'apéro
Before dinner there was L'apéro, a light snack time. Typical French. Saucisson and fromage de chèvre (goat cheese), Italian grissini, and wine (TARIQUET).
I drank rum. It was sweet and very tasty and I drank it in an instant. I also tried an olive. It wasn't delicious, but it was very olive-y.
The fireplace was lit and five of us warmed up together. With such a small number of people we could relax without tension, and it was very cozy. Her mother was talking with her brother Dominic and his wife about family in French.
Thanks to the rum and wine I was a little tipsy. So I became talkative and we talked about protective glass for smartphones. Elena said, 'I can't agree—I drop mine like five times a week.' Obviously a protective screen is better.
We also talked about the number of photos we've taken. Elena had 750 in Cyprus. I had 1500 in Latvia. When I showed them, they went 'what?!' She apparently doesn't like photos of herself and lacks confidence in her face. I don't understand. Her profile is beautiful.
We talked about rings too. In France it's normal to wear a wedding ring on the left ring finger, close to the heart; there's no other reason. When I told her that in Japan wearing a ring on the left index finger is said to make you active in matchmaking or love, she said, 'I don't want to get married.' I know (laughs). Conversations move along when you're drunk.
Dinner and by the fireplace
Dinner was Genovese pasta and salad. We spread goat cheese on bread to eat. This was also extremely tasty. It was too delicious. We enjoyed conversations spoken in French.
My uncle crushed and bent Elena's ring. He was being very silly, but it wasn't like anyone was hurt and everyone was enjoying it. She got a bit angry but not overly so. There's love in that.
Elena and my uncle were playing a game where you walk a lap with a book on your head. It's a game to go around as fast as possible without dropping the book. I dropped mine halfway, but Elena lasted until the end. Later I thought, this is totally about head surface area. My head surface area is smaller compared to Elena and Dominic. That's why I drop the book more easily (laughs).
After Elena took a shower, the scent of her perfume filled the living room. It smelled really nice and somehow felt lovely. Because it smelled good. It made my heart skip a little—a nice scent.
I wanted to take a bath and asked, 'Can I go in?' and was told, 'No need to ask!' In Japan there are orders and I was bound by that convention. In France it doesn't matter who goes when—there's no order. I thought that was wonderful too.
I went into the bath, came out and was about to brush my teeth when I found that the dog had peed in my room. I unknowingly stepped in it. Seriously. I just washed my foot and warmed up in front of the fireplace.
At night, when I went downstairs to write in my journal, Elena had also brought her laptop to do master's research. We worked together. We didn't talk much, but I was happy to share the same space and time.
I think this is what's important. I'm still not used to it; there are unseen walls and I'm the kind of person who thinks before speaking. But this time together was very valuable. It was really good.
