I AM SORRY BUT THIS IS NOT A LOVE STORY ;)
I was a lucky Erasmus student in France, Rouen who got chance to meet Monsieur Gerard :) This warmed heart person taught me lots of life lessons. I am glad to know him and his humble life. I wish to see him again in any place of this little world. With love from Turkey , dear friend in Normandy :)
Between the years of 2013-2014, i was Erasmus student in a pretty little city; Rouen, France. I can easly say that it was very special and magnificant years of my life.
If you live in Turkey and you have standart level of income, having dreams to go abroad and to get travels, especially for Europe, is not usual. Because of these conditions, i welcomed the first opportunity and took Erasmus exam in order to go abroad and travel. After two weeks i was informed that i passed the exam to go the little city Rouen in France. In beginning of September, 2013 i took the road for my memories and found myself in the pretty city, Rouen.
Actually there were lots of friends and relatives who gave me a back, i appreciate all of them but i also apologise from them that i didn't choose none of them as my special person to write here. I chose very special person to tell you about him. This great person is Mr. Gerard, about 65 years old. It was the beginning of February 2014, I received an email from the university's international relations office. This e mail was including a project of Mr. Gerard related to language meetings. After i got in contact directly with Mr. Gerard and i had a chance to meet with that great person by this short mail: " “Venez parler en anglais, espagnol, ou dans une autre langue européenne un mardi soir par mois au Bar à Vins « Le Quai 10 » à Rouen : hangar 10- Quai F. de Lesseps (face aux Docks, entrée côté Seine) Horaire : 18h30/20h" Dates : 11 février, 11 mars, 8 avril, 6 mai, 10 juin 2014” (I still keep it)
I would say that it was in second meeting, Mr. Gerard passed us a bell jar and told us to take a paper from the bell jar. I was very excited when i took a paper and opened it to read. We, all people in meeting, looked each other and asked what we have. It was very funny because all papers were including the same message "Félicitations! Vous avez gagné l'excursion en bateau" (Congratulations! You won the boat trip) :). In short, it was including a nice invitation and the address of Mr. Gerard's home which is beside of river.
After weeks me and my two friends went to Mr. Gerard's home for boat trip with our little gift. Mr. Gerard is very vivacious, sympathetic and energetic person. Moreover he told us that he traveled a district of Spain by bicycle. He was very welcome to put us up in his cute home and garden. He showed us around his home, garden and his workroom which is an other little home in the garden as an cottage. I was very happy and gave warm-and-fuzzy during i have being in his life, knowing more things about this modest person. During that day, i observed him and tried to look the world from his perspective.
When boat trip's turned to come we went to near the river and we waited for Mr. Gerard take the boat out from the little garage looks like roof. Here, on little roof was covered with cobwebs excited my attention. Because Mr. Gerard was moving very carefully for not deforming that little art of spider when he was going in boat and getting out of it. After that i asked myself "why we, people, always prefer to deform a cobwebs instead of respecting that little art and realising them?, Why we enjoy deforming?"... So, monsieur taught me a life lesson and showed me how can i look to life from the different sides, better sides. He taught me being able to see beauties of a little cobweb, life and environment instead of deforming them.
Second lesson came after the boat trip. He showed us the little greenhouse covered by a transparent nylon. I looked into it and saw a small tape recorder in that, near greenhouse tomato. I asked him why he put it there and his answer make me love him more. He told that he makes plants listen classic music during they growing up. I asked "why?" He told that plants have emotions like people and we should feed them by music as we do for people. After a story came to my mind related a man who lives a village close ours in Turkey. A year ago my father told us that his friend makes the plants fear by destroying and plants put more forth fruit when they fear. It also works but with vigor! This showed me how people look at events from a different aspect! Choosing violence or peace, it is in our power! Monsieur Gerard, who makes me think before i act! I am very glad of knowing you my friend. Thank you for your friendship one of beautiful-good person of Normandy!
A bientot!
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