Getting Lost in Annecy, France
I am a natural at getting lost.
I avoid research of my destinations. I don’t have maps or travel guides or lists of things to accomplish. I simply hoist my camera and set out in an interesting direction with a desire to get marvellously lost.
This is how I travel and why I enjoy being in new places; it is so easy to get lost and follow my emerging curiosity.
But only when I’m alone.
Add one person, or Lord help us, a group of people, and I am no longer the master of effortless and aimless travel. Rather, I am a Swiss conductor sweating and cursing every second that we are delayed or drifting off course from our destination.
I began holding my phone like an antennae and cursing Google Maps at every junction we approached. I was no longer enjoying myself or watching the town unfold before me.
Having spent most of my life avoiding maps and compasses, my wayfinding skills are certainly suspect. And sure enough, I managed to get us lost. It took about thirty minutes of walking, both of us laden down with beer and groceries, before I became aware of our predicament.
I do believe I shouted most indignantly and let my American show.
I was fully aware of just how ridiculous I was being. I hated it. What’s worse, I wanted to blame my frustration on the person with me.
He was the reason for my discontent.
Let me tell you, there’s nothing like reverting to a five year old in the mountains of Southern France. Really, there are far worse places to throw a tantrum.
Eli just shrugged his shoulders and urged us to turn down a random street. It was a beautiful moment.
He could have gotten upset, asked to see the map or lamented about how much food we were lugging to who-knows-where.
Instead, he released me from my demons. He gave me a chance to wonder what it would be like to get lost with him. To be with another in a manner where no one is in charge or tasked with keeping everything between the lines.
I’m happy to report we had a great time and we even managed to find our flat and grab a nap. Here’s to getting lost on our next foray this evening.
