By Erik Skye

16 Jul 2011

Mots du jour: ici (here), assiette (plate), foret (forest)

Reminder:  As indicated in the prologue, I met Dimitri Pedaros on a salt flat in Westeran Australia, Christmas Day, 2010.

There was some fascination about the little black book I carry. Each time I wrote in it, curiosities peaked.  Eventually, those surrounding me at the table were borrowing my little black book to draw their own pictures, write their own notes, and inspect my past entries. The French are very social.

Dimitri had brought me to a house party (see Jour 17 for a link to the video), filled with young people in their 20's who were working seasonal jobs in the community. Benny wrote this: “T’es une star pour les gens qui t’aiment…” (Meaning: You are a hero to those who follow you…) Dimitri wrote his favorite musical artist - Serge Gainsbourg, along with his favorite songs by him - have a listen: "Elaeudanla Téitéia” and “Valse de Melody”. Marion wrote her e-mail address.

I asked Dimitri, who’s 24, what kind of girls he likes. He replied ‘some people say they like blondes and some people say they like brunettes. What does that mean? That’s stupid. She has to do something for me.’ That’s an example of the kind of insight and perspective he shared with me throughout the evening.

Dimitri took pleasure in teaching me to pronounce French words correctly too. His method was effective. He’d walk me through a pronunciation of each letter of the French alphabet (which is often much different than English for the same looking letter) so I would understand the basics. Then we’d pronounce a word. It was like a light bulb going on for me, and something Rosetta Stone (i.e. the language learning software I use) should incorporate.

Dimitri’s a surf instructor for Aola Surf School here in Lacanau Ocean, on the west coast of France. “What do you like best about instructing” I asked. ‘When you find out your student is a lawyer’ responded Dimitri. What he’s saying is that it’s an honor when smart, accomplished people humble themselves to you as good students.  I'm a flight instructor and can relate.

Dimitri gave me my first surf lesson today too. Here’s how I did: Surf Lesson Part 1, Surf Lesson Part 2

See you again someday my friend.  Thanks for teaching me.

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