Annecy, France

This is the third part in the continuation of my trip through Europe after the DFRWS conference. Click for –> Part 1, and Part 2.

30/03/2023

Entering Annecy by its main train station, I immediately felt the warm embrace of the city. The orange street lights, quiet streets, slight bustle of night life. A man approached me and within the first few words out of my mouth, he asked “T’es Canadien, eh?” He told me the rest of his family currently lives in Montreal. We had a small exchange and finally bumped fists and I ventured off to take the 60 bus towards my small AirBnB, located some distance from Annecy in a commune called Veyrier-du-Lac, for the next three days. For Annecy bus transportation, you can purchase bus tickets on the tixipass app. Once purchased, press the “validate” button on your ticket, and then scan the QR code on the bus-dash once you board. The ticket will be valid for any bus for the next hour.

I reached my location around 11:00 PM, near Mont Veyrier, took the key from under the purple pot, unlocked the door, and showered off 2 days of dirt and stink. The next morning, I again showered, did my hair, downloaded a few hiking trails, and took the bus back into town. The Annecy Loop trail is truly a magnificent display of a city; one portion revealed the cafe/bar areas where locals drink their espresso, smoke, and wax-philosophy. The usage of the cigarette, it seems, is treated like a proper artifact of the culture, and not some object that may eventually end you. It is part of their identity.

The view of the snowy mountaintops is a treat, and can be seen from nearly anywhere within the city. I stopped at Pura Vida and ate all the nutrition I had missed on the days prior and my body immediately thanked me, awash with joy.

After the meal, the man at the cash asked if all the food was for me (30 Euros worth). I said yes, and he said that when people eat that much, “they are in good health”. Either he wanted tip, or this was true, or both. Nevertheless, after 2 days of nearly no sleep and little food, I needed it. I did, however, proceed back to my room to nap for an hour after consuming such a ridiculous amount of food. It was then on to the hike.

My full stomach betrayed me as it had not yet digested the prior absurd amount of eaten food, and it made the initial section of the hike quite sluggish. Within 30 minutes I was considering turning back. I told myself I would do it, one step at a time. It was a brutal hike by my standards, wanting to turn back many times. I ended up finishing… my energy and vigor increasing as the meal was digested and finally I reached the peak. Don’t hike on a full stomach. Not good.

After the hike, I showered and went back out. Had pizza at Pizzaria La Voglia. The server was Italian and I had a small, meaningless exchange with him. I finished the Pizza, had enough of walking around alone, and headed for the AirBnB. If one wants to live an enchanting night, swoon a love interest, this is one of those places. At night, hearts will break and love will manifest. Too bad I’m here alone, fighting my fears.

31/03/2023
This morning I had trouble getting out of my AirBnB. The feeling of being in a place where, being a total foreigner, I had no personal ability to mesh with the culture and custom, having to understand how to order, when to pay, etc… Such tasks become exhausting for someone like me. I do prefer travelling with a friend or partner. I forced myself out of bed, got ready, picked a place to eat and went; it was too loud at that location so I picked a quieter place, Queen Mamma.

I want to travel with a work-purpose, and not frivolously as I now am. The mind is a real weapon against your better self, and if born in an environment where exploration was not an option, I truly believe the mind will be a serious hinderance to easy development. If you don’t fight the urge to be a recluse, you will lose. Bad. Reclusive behaviour must be conquered at all costs, however incrementally. This trip made me realize one major lessons; you need to move your ass, for real. Get a fucking move on. Stop with the small pleasantries, wake every fucking day, gather yourself back up, and get to that daily work. You need to go back to scheduling your days, fully using them at all costs. Work, so that you can love responsibly. This is all on you. Positively leverage your supervisor, students, and perform small, helpful, and friendly interactions to create this “better life” that you so badly want… it is already much improved; never believe it isn’t possible and stop speaking negatively about yourself. These are always the moments where you lose, in your own eyes, and the eyes of others. You have been doing this less, and it has been creating strength within you.

As I was writing this, a heavy gust of wind blew the café sign (at Queen Mamma) and nearby potted bush onto my table. I quipped at the locals sitting next to me “Je pense que c’est parce que je viens de Canada,” to which they responded with a loud burst of laughter. I helped pick up the potted bush. Strange to think just this morning I was insecure about venturing out when I’m able to make a table of complete strangers howl in laughter.

I began a minor hike through the city, but the rain was too heavy to enjoy. I went back to my room and worked on setting up my private tutorial profile. To be frank, I simply want to return to the good, hard work. Travelling without purpose seems to be much less enjoyable to me, and without others to share it with, even less. As somewhat of an introvert, I’m not one to visit a bar and make random, new acquaintances, and have that turn into some miraculous night. This is my life, and I’m better as a grinding warrior than a light-footed travelling ballerina. I spent the rest of the night working. It’s time for you, Anthony, to step up your fucking game. No more relaxing, no more days spent putting life off. It’s do or die. You will be thirty in 15 days. You can’t waste anymore of this existence. Every action must be worth its time, somehow.

01/04/2023

This morning I awoke at 9:00 AM, did 200 pushups, 100 triceps dips, checked-in my flight for tomorrow, and sorted what is to be done with Anis’ friend Houssem who will host me for the final night in Paris. Today is a simple day waiting for the train in Kam’s Coffee Shop. That’s it. When I get back home, I have a set of tasks to accomplish. Reaching the Paris train station Gare de Lyon, I met and was escorted by Houssem to his small apartment where he graciously fed me a delicious dinner as we spoke about our lives and perceptions of religion. It was quite confusing when he began speaking of going out with his “pot” (friend, in French), which I had assumed to be “pot” in English (weed). We had a few friendly laughs, and the night ended when he let me sleep in his bed. Being a germaphobe, I laid myself atop all his bed sheets, only for him to tell me it’s alright to sleep under the covers, and that everything was clean. Point taken. I was still hesitant. He gladly slept on a small air mattress on the floor.

02/04/2023

We quickly gathered ourselves and headed for Charles De Gaulle Airport, where we met up with Anis for our final flight back home to Montreal. We said our goodbyes, Anis not having seen his friend for years. We headed through security and awaited our flight home. This marks the end of the trip.

Through this trip, I’ve also come to realize that, as much as I’m willing to travel for work, I’m not very adventurous. I wouldn’t skydive, bungee jump, go clubbing (not even in Montreal), and have a hard time entering new places (e.g., restaurants) alone — though I seem to have very little issue when with others. Must it be necessary to rise above the fear induced by such activities? The motivation I have for defeating my fears comes from having to accomplish a mission that is beyond the fear itself. I believe it is best to get on living, accomplishing your goals, and conquering fears encountered in the process of reaching them as opposed to arbitrarily enumerating and conquering them for their very sake – unless you have the time, of course; then fight all the ones you can, at all costs. I say this incrementally-speaking; to hell with your fears.

The following is a small listing of songs I heard and snatched throughout the entire trip, from Germany to France. They bring me a sense of deep nostalgia and melancholy. Hope you enjoy.