Backpacking through Europe in 1994
Day 96 • December 11, 1994
Tours, France
The hangover wasn’t as bad as it could have been, though Olivier was clearly paying a heavier price than I was. We drove out to Athee one last time, and the day felt different from the moment we arrived. There was a quiet weight to everything — the kind that comes when you know you’re doing something for the final time.
Chantal had prepared a huge traditional French meal, and we sat around the table eating and talking for a long time. Afterward, Roger, Olivier, and I had one of those conversations that only happens when you know the clock is running out. We talked about America, about guns and violence, about what it had been like for me out on the road. It wasn’t heavy in a sad way. It just felt honest.
Before we left, they loaded me down with gifts — champagne, cognac, wine, sausages, clothes, and little things for my family back home. Roger even gave me a big duffel bag so I could carry it all. I took their portrait as a Christmas gift, said my goodbyes, and felt the full weight of leaving this family that had taken me in like one of their own.
When we got back to Joué-lès-Tours, the day wound down quietly. I took a long bath, we watched some ridiculous movie on TV, and eventually everyone went to bed early. Four days left. The end was close enough now that I could feel it in everything.
My Photographs from today tours, france
DAY 96 / 12-11-94
tours, France
After waking up with not too bad of a hangover (compared to Olivier, that is) we went to Athee Sur Cher for my last time – this trip :-).
Chantal had prepared a HUGE traditional French meal for me, which was delicious. Ro-Ro, Olivier & I had a long talk afterwards about America, guns, violence, police & my trip.
Then they loaded me up with gifts: a big bottle of fine champagne, cognac for my Dad, an even bigger bottle of wine for both my parents, a tin of “traditional” French sausages for us, T-shirt and hat for me, potpourri for Tracy, a picture frame for Tammy & a few other odds & ends. Roger had to give me a “Christmas bag” – a huge duffel bag to carry everything. I packed up my things from the upstairs bedroom. I took Roger & Chantal’s portrait for their Christmas gift, then Roger called Phillipe so I could tell him goodbye.
After that it was time to say our goodbyes.
When we got back to Joule les Tours we ate a small meal, then I took a bath.
Being Sunday night, there was an “erotic” film on TV. These crack me up. The are really just cheesy old B-grade soft porn, but they’re on public TV.
All of us were exhausted, so we turned in early. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
4.