Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Journey

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When I saw him, I knew I had to talk to him, to meet him. Have you ever felt that when seeing someone you don’t know? As if you know the person somehow, that you feel connected but you don’t know how or why?

I went up and asked him for directions.

He explained the path,

as I looked into his eyes, his words went over me and all I could here was:

Take time to listen to your heart,

to listen to your foot steps,

to be present to where you are and not where you are going.

photos: An older man walking in a village in Provence.

Comments

65 responses to “The Journey”

  1. rel

    Corey,
    That u-tube is too precious!
    From time to time I do get that feeling of connectedness with a stragner…or should I say, apparent stranger.
    rel

    Reply
  2. yvonne

    What a cute clip, thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  3. marita

    a lovely french soul and yes i do meet people in foreign places to talk to. like this older lady with her baguettes in the streets of arles last may. asking her the directions she explained so friendly, asking us again where we came from. or this elegantly dressed older couple in rome coming towards us on a crossroad, noticing we were lost in the eternal city. they helped us to find our way back without asking!! meaningless encounters yet never to forget.

    Reply
  4. Merisi’s Vienna

    This is a splendid serious of poignant photographs, Corey. I can understand your feeling of wanting to talk to him. I once met a Viennese master craftsman out of this feeling of having to talk to a stranger on the street. His gold lettered shop signs remind me of this encounter and the workshop he showed me, which looked as if it had not been changed since the gilded age of the Renaissance, every time I walk the streets.

    Reply
  5. Katy

    Can you imagine the stories this man could tell?

    Reply
  6. tlchang

    I love this progression of photos – the appealing older gentleman juxtaposed against all of those creamy, shadowed verticals…
    I saw an old woman in a tiny medieval town in Italy walking the street with her walking-stick, bun in hair, apron over dress and very sensible shoes. She had such a great face, and how I wished I understood enough Italian to have a conversation with her….

    Reply
  7. melanie

    Connecting with a stranger is such a great feeling ..I can not explain . I love your pictures ..

    Reply
  8. Catalina

    Oh Corey! sooooooooooooo beautiful! You are right!
    Just last saturday I saw a tibetan monk close to the sea and I felt the same, I went to say hello. I HAD to

    Reply
  9. Ellen Cassilly

    Corey,
    I loved your blog today. I reread and rewatched it with Frank. We both enjoyed it. Last night we were making pledges to support ourselves and to eachother in reaching out to strangers and taking chances. Your thoughts were perfect. Thank you and lots of love, Ellen

    Reply
  10. tinker

    I love seeing him journey towards you – almost like a film in slow-motion.
    What a wonderful journey…I do think some people we’re meant to meet along the way.
    Thank you for the video link – that has to be the sweetest commercial I think I’ve ever seen!

    Reply
  11. Nora

    So beautifully poignant. I would’ve spoken to him also.

    Reply
  12. My Melange

    Corey,
    Yes, I have had that feeling….and I always listen to it…there is always a reason!!! It has happened to me on the *internet* too. 😉
    xoxo
    Robin

    Reply
  13. Beverly

    What sweet pictures you have of this once stranger. I always remember that Bible verse about entertaining stranger…

    Reply
  14. Darla

    I can’t quite quote it but there is something often said about meeting strangers in you life who might just be angels.
    I think perhaps you did.
    Darla

    Reply
  15. Darla

    I can’t quite quote it but there is something often said about meeting strangers in your life who might just be angels.
    I think perhaps you did.
    Darla

    Reply
  16. cruststation

    Aww…the youtube link is wonderful! How lovely of you to make a connection with a stranger, perhaps you both needed that. I have to learn to be more spontaneous, the process of growing up sometimes take that away from you…

    Reply
  17. Mary Alice

    Oh so beautiful. I have had that experience too, seeing someone that you unexplainably know that for some reason you have been meant to meet.

    Reply
  18. Shannon

    Sometimes there is no hurry to get to where you need to go as you’ll get there eventually.
    I get the urge to ask people what their story is.

    Reply
  19. candy

    I love this man. I can’t explain it. Thank you for sharing him with us.

    Reply
  20. candy

    Did you by any chance get his name?

    Reply
  21. Sheila

    I have felt this connection with strangers too. We have to take the chance, to speak, to smile. It may only come once, and it may touch us in a way that we never imagined.
    He looks very paternal, I’m glad you spoke to him.
    xo

    Reply
  22. Karin

    I’ve had many moments like that and I am always grateful when I act upon them.
    I love how you captured your impending meeting with that sweet man.

    Reply
  23. Dee

    Absolutely beautiful, Corey! If we would not only listen…but do what we hear! The last line…”to be present to where you are and not where you are going”…wonderful words to live by!
    Loved the U-Tube!

    Reply
  24. delphine

    Sometimes I have acted on these moments, sometimes I have not….but I know each time I did, I “recieved” some message.
    and love those commercials.
    delphine

    Reply
  25. lana

    Oh I really love these photos! I wonder what was he was pondering as he walked along quietly and in solitude?

    Reply
  26. Mari-Nanci

    What lovely sentiments I am finding today, in ‘My Pretty Blog Land.’ In yours Corey. And I found others in Mrs. Staggs blog. And at Sheila’s blog.
    http://ahappymiscellany.typepad.com/a_happy_miscellany/
    http://akissisjustakiss.blogspot.com/
    What a lovely day, for uplifting sentiments. Thank you all!
    Mari-Nanci

    Reply
  27. beachy

    Lovely words! Just the expression on the dear man’s face lends itself to a thousand more words of wisdom! =)

    Reply
  28. martina

    Oh, that urge to talk to some stranger for some unknown reason. That man reminds me of a family friend of years ago. He always wore a hat, walked the same way and was cheerful, despite having been in a concentration camp in WWII. What did he have to be happy about? He was alive, his family was close and he had good health and many friends.

    Reply
  29. shannon in oregon

    Seven years ago saw someone get on the bus and told myself I was supposed to know them. Two weeks later we had our first interaction.
    That friend is coming over for brunch this morning.

    Reply
  30. frenchgardenhouse

    He is a darling, isn’t he? The hat always gets me, my sweet Dutch father-in-law wore one like that. I miss him.
    Lidy

    Reply
  31. Orama

    You are just like your Dad
    Always taking to strangers, that you think you know.

    Reply
  32. Colette

    Dearest Corey, I know exactly what you mean. Your photos are very “tendre”. xxoo

    Reply
  33. Shelley Noble

    Corey, Wow Pow Zow! What great posts this week. I caught up with the last several days and I’m inspired, enriched and delighted!
    The photos, the words, the principles and ideas–astounding!
    Thank you for all the marvelous things you share!

    Reply
  34. leslie

    How lovely! If I had seen him on the street I would have felt the same way. I wish I had your courage.

    Reply
  35. Hasmin

    Sweet post Corey.

    Reply
  36. Rosemary

    I love that Corey. I always do that too.
    Rosemary

    Reply
  37. Mountain Mama

    Beautiful Post! Yes I have felt the same way many times and when I did not take the time to speak to the stranger, regretted it. Other that his companion cat at home, you may have been the only communication he had all day.
    Good for you!

    Reply
  38. Connie W

    This is a great post – thanks!

    Reply
  39. la vie en rose

    beautiful…
    yes i’ve had those feelings before…and i’ve always regretted when i didn’t honor them.

    Reply
  40. AnnieElf

    Ah, Corey! I love, Love, LOVE this series of photos. I see it as a visual poem.

    Reply
  41. Sonia

    Beautiful post! Love this photo, it’s very moving! Well done!

    Reply
  42. Caffienated Cowgirl

    You know…I would have been compelled to talk to him as well. Bravo.

    Reply
  43. rochambeau

    I feel like this a lot. Do you?
    The gentleman you photographed, He is handsome in his hat taking a promenade.
    The u tubes are fab too! You remind me I need to be watching u tubes. That red ballerina one you shared just blew me away!! I still haven’t got over that one!

    Reply
  44. Pam Aries

    Pardon..Did you notice if he was wearing a ring! hee hee! I havee been catching up on your posts! I am in love with ..the macarons post!

    Reply
  45. judypatooote

    Yes, I have felt that many times, and mostly they are little old men….I guess it just makes me think of my dad, and I wonder who is the someone that loves this little old man….Great pictures Corey…. I see you changed to typepad….I tried it for two days, and decided to cancel until I have more time to check further into it….Yours looks great….I haven’t been by in a while, but as the winter gets closer I hope to have more time to blog….

    Reply
  46. Cre8Tiva

    paying attention to your path is a gift…finding your path a blessing…walking your pathe every day a joy…blessings, rebecca

    Reply
  47. Kristen R

    A lovely post Corey that getnly takes my hand and leads me to moments of reflection and the reminder to listen.
    XOX
    Kristen

    Reply
  48. Miz Booshay

    I seem to feel this way about elderly women and little boys.
    Isn’t that funny :o)
    Thank you Corey for always encouraging us to open our eyes…..and hearts.
    Love,
    Donna

    Reply
  49. BOSSY

    Somehow Bossy doesn’t think she’d feel this same connection when asking a passerby for directions to Deptford, New Jersey.

    Reply
  50. JanePoe (aka Deborah)

    I know what you mean Corey … some people we are just absolutely drawn to … as if we’ve crossed paths before. Wonderful series of photos! xx, JP/deb

    Reply
  51. Michelle Cummings

    How beautiful. Thanks for sharing,

    Reply
  52. Gillian

    Corey
    Thank you for the introduction, to the wise, the learned, the loving. YOU!
    And the man is cute too. The shapes, lines, colours and light in these photographs are perfection. Enjoy the journey.
    xo
    Gillian

    Reply
  53. ~jolenemarie

    This post hit home with me. I do this often Corey. I ask a question, comment on the weather…anything to break the ice. Recently in the market I told a very elderly woman how beautiful she looked in her red sweater — the smile and the way she lit up will never be forgotten by me…she thought I made her day, while really she made mine.

    Reply
  54. mb

    A marvelous photo series.

    Reply
  55. eb

    yes – so on the journey with this one – so wise…
    xox – eb.

    Reply
  56. Elaine L.

    I have felt that way before. It’s a strange feeling, especially when you don’t have the opportunity to make contact with the person.
    The elderly gentleman is so French in the manner in which he walks. Put him in downtown New York and he would still look French.
    That Youtube is too sweet!
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  57. Marie-Noëlle

    So many stories along his path, so much to hear from that little man
    So much respect, so much love, so much attention to give from walkers by (and drivers, bikers, riders … of any sort)
    Gorgeous shots of life !

    Reply
  58. Parisbreakfasts

    Taking a walk in your town takes time…
    It’s impossible to pass anyone in the street without stopping to talk 🙂
    Everyone knows you!
    _____________________
    Hey Pb
    That is somewhat true, but this is not my town. And by the way weren’t YOU the one dancing down the street with a man in my town???

    Reply
  59. mary

    I had a great time and pleasure reading your blog, looking at your nice pictures ! I keep you in my favourite links ! Mary from Provence

    Reply
  60. Kit

    Beautiful Corey – the pictures say it even without the words and the words are so poetic and wise too.

    Reply
  61. candy

    I came back here to see him again today. My heart stirred. What is it about this man, these photos?

    Reply
  62. susanna

    Nice photos, Corey. And there’s that blue again!

    Reply
  63. Anastasia

    So wonderful!
    what a sweet little man…love the photos!

    Reply
  64. nita from red tin heart

    It is funny how things like that happen. I once met an older women in the store who had the bluest eyes I have ever seen, piercing. And there was this feeling… like I had known her my whole life, a familiarity, that was unexplained. xoxo Nita

    Reply
  65. Irene

    Last Easter I was strolling along the main square of Corfu, the Liston,allegedly the largest in Europe, while my kids were playing ball . An elderly man was passing by, and asked me what time it was. “I was just like them once”, he said. “Life passes by, it’s just a stroll”.

    Reply

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