The Holiday Contest is back! Every day in December, you can enter to win a prize from one of our authors. The first contest will start December 1 at 10 p.m. Pacific.
 |
|
Fresh Faces
 By Susan Stephens
I have just returned from an amazing research trip to a wonderful part of the world- right on the borders between France and Spain in a proud and very beautiful area called Catalan. I’ll be writing about it on my blog over at www.susanstephens.net during the next week or so, but what always makes the biggest and most lasting impression on me when I’m ‘on my travels’, is inevitably the people I meet. Here are Jim and Gilly, for example, my hosts at their beautiful home, which they generously share part of with travellers such as myself who want to experience something more than an anonymous hotel…
I always think its people that make a trip special, which is why I can’t wait to meet as many of you as possible in San Francisco, when I will be giving away a special ‘little something’ to the first hundred people who visit me at the book signing for literacy on the Wednesday evening. It’s you I really want to meet, and to those of you who won’t be there you still have a chance to win the prize for our chat right here and now! Have you met anyone on your travels who has brought a smile to your face and planted a lasting memory in your mind? If so, would you share those happy recollections with us now? I’m a great ‘people person’ and I suspect that the fact that you’re reading this means you are too and I look forward to hearing about the interesting people you’ve met. Here’s a picture of a corner of the swimming pool at Jim and Gilly’s home to give you an idea of the amazing view. Isn’t it absolutely glorious? If that doesn’t get us started, I don’t know what will :razz:
Can’t wait to hear from you Hugs across the world to you, from Susan 19 Responses to “Fresh Faces” |
New Books 
Copyright  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. |
June 9th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hi Susan
Yes I do have a story. 12 years ago, while on holiday with mum and dad in the Algarve, Portugal, we decided one day to pack a picnic and get off the beaten track and explore the glorious countryside. After an hour or so, we stopped the car in a very quiet lane, to eat our picnic.
I’ll try and describe the scene for you: imagine a very hot day, perfect blue sky, no wind, cicadas chirping away in the olive groves either side of us, it was idyllic. Me and Dad decided to take a little walk down the lane, the walls were covered in vines heavily laden with gorgeous grapes, it was beautiful. Then all of a sudden a voice started talking, a ladies voice, she was chattering away in Portuguese, gesturing to us and the grapes, and kept repeating Agua, Agua!! Me in my pigeon Portuguese, thought she was trying to offer us water. She kept gesturing to me and dad to follow her. We did. Oh my gosh, it was quite a surprise, she took us to her Moorish farmhouse. Her husband was there, with we think, her elderly mother. With being British and a little reserved, we felt we were imposing, but she insisted. By this time, mum had arrived, and the three of us found oursleves sitting under a loggia and drinking wine and brandy!!
They were possibly the friendliest people we had ever met, they didn’t know us at all, and yet they invited us into their home, (which they were very proud of). They gave us a tour of the farm, the house was amazing, I swear the front door was only 4′ high, you had to duck to get in. They wanted to know where we were from, trying to explain Wales, was quite a task.
It never ceases to amaze me, how complete strangers can be so special and make such an impression on you. We never forgot those lovely people. It was a memory that we will treasure forever.
xx Karen
June 9th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Susan, my humble apologies in advance, for I know I’m going to come across as a horrible old biddy with nothing better to do than being mean but…
It’s eating at me! I can’t help it!
The place is called Cataluña, and the people who live there are Catalanes (Catalán and Catalana)
(my maternal grandfather’s family came from there)
June 9th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Hmmm… thinking back, One person made a great impression when I was 10. I was on my very first cruise and being shy hated the kids room! Then at dinner, we were seated with another family… they had a girl named Karen around my age… we hit it off, she was adventurous… she convinced shy me to play and seek out adventure with her, and I had the best time ever!!! It is a shame I never had contact with her after, but I will always have the memory of our time together!!!
June 9th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Karen, you made me smile- particularly the tiny door- no doubt to keep the sun out and the home cool, but what a wonderful experience.
No problem at all with Cataluna, except that my ed in my last book insisted on Catalan, which is how we usually refer to that area between France and Spain here in the UK- and also the language widely spoken in the area. Whatever, wherever, it was gorgeous and the people were so welcoming and friendly. I love it and will almost certainly be heading back to… the hills. ;-)
Colleen, I really sympathise with you- I was terribly shy as a child so I know exactly where you’re coming from. It only takes one person to click with to make a place special and memorable.
S xx
June 9th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I think I need to travel more :P - I’ve never met anyone overseas [am always in a close knit family group] - in New Orleans, while we didn’t connect that much - I met this kid we called “Tennessee James” - he sticks out because it was in high school [a conference] - and he wore a skirt. Not many guys will do that. It was a long flowing hippie/broomstick skirt.
Then, last summer while in DC, I met a kid who goes to Harvard, who was there doing an internship. I overheard a conversation on the metro involving a very specific topic -and something I did my honors thesis on in college - so I jumped in. It turned out that we have some mutual friends - fun and interesting because I went to school in Ohio, he’s from CA - and … of course, we were in DC [and he goes to school in MA]. Small world, sometimes. We still somewhat keep in contact.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Thank you, Susan :sheepish:
June 9th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Our family used to go to a lovely lake for 3 weeks each summer. We met the most interesting and kind families during this vacation. One summer a new family was there and we befriended a girl who was between my sister’s and my age. This was the best time ever for all of us. We swam each day, went on picnics, and read together. After the three weeks we maintained communication by writing letters for many years. We just met up again this past Spring since her daughter was getting married.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Have never traveled much. Nothing interesting to tell.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
ON a trip to Europe with a friend when I was much younger we spent the summer leisurely travelling to our choice places. We knew that this would be a memorable and once in a lifetime experience which it was. My friend met her husband on our trip and has been living there ever since. Our trip for her was like a dream come true. Our friendship has endured and we see each other as frequently as possible since I appreciate the beauty of her surroundings and look forward to a change of scene. Her family is so welcoming and caring that it feels like home.
June 9th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi Susan,
I was lucky to meet many fabulous people who have remained good friends with me long after I was released. While in both places they went out of their way to keep me company and my spirits high when I had a bad day.
It certainly looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time! I can’t travel due to physical disabilities from a car accident. So vacations don’t figure into my life. I guess the year I was in the hospital and rehab center is close to one.
June 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Susan, no wonder you cherish the good people you’ve encountered through your challenging experiences. I never take mobility for granted and consider it a real privilege to be able to visit these wonderful places and share what I can of them with as many people as I can.
Ruth, I’m just writing about the value of a warm and loving family right now, so I know how you feel about the happiness the shelter of such company brings to us.
Anne, your story is so evocative it makes me think of a younger version of the YaYa Sisters- a book I loved.
Oh, Estella, I hope you enjoy sharing everyone else’s stories- I’m sure you have lots of other interests just as appealing to all of us- why don’t you share those?
And aztec lady, please, no need. We’re all friends here- you say tom-ate-oh, and I say tomato ;-) What a brilliant lyric that was.
Tennessee James- limecello, that is the most amazing name ever- no wonder the impact was so great- and a Tennessee James in a skirt? Wah! Amazing!!!
Going to bed now- it’s late here in the UK- but back tomorrow for more chat and a prize for one lucky winner
Keep safe; speak soon.
Sxxx
June 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
The year after we were married, my husband and I went on a cruise to the Caribbean. On the cruise we met an engaged couple and became good friends. On the day that we were to dock in St Thomas, they decided that they wanted to get married. So when we docked, they got married in St Thomas and my husband and I were their witnesses. Coincidentally, my husband and I had gone to St Thomas for our honeymoon. We keept in touch for a while but then lsot contact. We still have picture from their wedding.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Wow–that is a fabulous view! What lovely people Jim and Gilly are–what a blessing to meet people like them as you travel! I’ve mostly traveled in Asia as part of organized tours, which makes it less likely to meet “natives”. Some of our tour guides were fabulous–knowledgeable and with an excellent command of English, but we still haven’t stayed in touch after returning home.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
When I was in Spain during a semester of school it was the most amazing and wonderful experience of my life. I met interesting people who included me in their lives. I was invited to their homes and treated as family. This gave me a new perspective on my future and an insight into how friends and relationships can develop. I will always treasure these bonds that were formed and know that this is extremely meaningful and special.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Linda, I’ve been to St Thomas, and I loved it. In fact, I love the Caribbean generally. Once again, I have met with such kindness and friendliness and generosity of spirit.
You’re right, Fedora, meeting people is a blessing. I love to break out of my normal routine and taste other customs and meet new people along the way. I keep in touch with a surprising number of people now, having lost touch when I was young with people I wish I had kept in touch with- it makes me value friendship more now.
Sabrina, I love your description of being brought into people’s homes and being treated like family. It does leave a lasting impression. My husband tells the story of being taken into a Greek family when he was a student and being treated as an honoured guest at a son’s wedding. He has never forgotten it.
I’ve loved this chat. It’s left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Relaxed and happy.
Back soon to announce our winner chosen at random.
S
June 10th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Karen, it was ‘kid’s choice’ today, and they shouted out, Number One.
Congratulations!!!
I’m guessing you’re in Wales. If so could you mail me at susan@susanstephens.net with your snail mail details, heading your mail Access Romance so I don’t ’spam’ you by mistake! If I’m mistaken and you’re closer to the States could you mail lee@susanstephens.net.
Thank you. And as my mail has been playing up- don’t worry if you contact lee or leave a note here- we’ll get that prize to you one way or another!
Thankt to you all for taking part, and all the best to everyone. I look forward to being back here next month.
Sxx
June 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Congrats Karen!!! :grin:
June 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Congrats, Karen!
Thank you, Susan–I hope you are having a good week!
June 10th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
A busy one, AL- like all of us, I suspect! Look forward to chatting next time :grin: