'Puzzled'

Episode 21 - A Charming Stranger

Chapter Three‘Maybe, I don't cry but it hurts

Maybe, I won't say but I feel

Maybe, I don't show but I care.’

- Vitor Mota

Episode 21 - A Charming StrangerNice, France, 27 December

The window of my hotel room is wide open, letting a light sea breeze in.

I stand over my suitcase and, bewildered, stare at its contents. Here we go, a beaming example of hasty packing, piles of evening dresses and nothing decent for every day, just a pair of jeans and a sweater. Uttering a sigh, I pull them on and go downstairs. In a modestly appointed room overlooking the sea continental breakfast is being served.

I sit down, order a cappuccino and look around. My eyes single out a young Arab with a plate of croissants on his table. Picking his croissants, he spreads lumps of marmalade over them and sends the croissants into his mouth. His eyes half-closed, he chews on them, slowly and thoughtfully.

Trying not to stare at him, I focus on my New Year's Eve plans or rather on the absence of such.  The idea of going to Nice came to me just a few days ago. Considering its spontaneous nature, I have really had no time to check on the plans of my few French acquaintances and, to be honest, have little inclination of doing so. I somehow feel my uninvited spontaneity won’t be appreciated.

Finished with his croissants, the Arab gets up and walks to the exit. Leaving the room, he throws a hungry look at my table, perhaps in search of something else of edible nature. You see, the French, like their breakfasts, always leave you with a slight cramp of dissatisfaction - delicious, yet not enough. I drink up my cappuccino and decide on a morning walk. 

Throwing the coat on, I grab my mobile and get out. Outside, the sun shines brightly, sending merry sparks across the azure waters of the sea.

I cross the street, go down the embankment a few steps and find myself right on the beach. It's still early, it seems. There aren't many people around, just some dog owners, walking out their fluffy friends.

 Inspired by the moment, I take my mobile out, frame the view and take a picture. The phone clicks and captures a local morning scene: a charming young man, his hair ruffled by the wind into wavy locks, plays with a little dog on the gravel shore of the Côte d’Azur.