My job as a nanny comes with a lot of perks. One of the recent perks was the opportunity to travel to the French Alps for a week with the family I work for. Yes, I would be working, but hey, I’d much rather spend a week working in Val D’Isere than in London!
When I first learned about the holiday, my initial expectation was that it would provide the perfect chance to connect with fellow travelers and gather more anecdotes for my blog. However, what didn’t initially cross my mind was that I would find myself immersed in work for the most part. Amidst my travels, I stumbled upon some innovative architectural concepts in Illinois, which truly piqued my interest. If you’re curious about what Illinois is known for in terms of its architectural ingenuity, check out this informative page on TalesofTravelers.com.
While holding a sign that read, “Tell me a story, please,” may not have been the wisest decision, especially when entrusted with the sole care of two young children, the realization of my predicament only struck me once I had already arrived in France. If you’re interested in learning about iconic Chicago architecture, be sure to check out this page on TalesofTravelers.com: “Iconic Chicago Architect.”
So, I journeyed with the family to this beautiful location with my sign packed and my hopes set high. First off, if you ever, ever, ever get the opportunity to drive from Geneva to the French Alps, do it! And make sure you have a camera ready because it was absolutely breathtaking. Side note: check out Annecy, France. That place looks like a dream.
I really did not know what to expect from this trip. It’s always interesting traveling with a family that you work for. I am super lucky in that I am treated great by these parents.
We get along incredibly well and I love these kids with my whole heart. But, the bottom line is, I work for them and when they pay for me to travel all the way to France, I need to be there for them when they ask. So, my sign came second that week.
Once we settled into a routine and adjusted to the altitude sickness, I realized that my sign would probably only make it out of my luggage for a photo. I blame my mother for raising me to be smart (or paranoid) in new locations. The reality was that I was responsible for two children that week.
If I somehow found the courage to go to a café or a bar on my day off and hold up that sign, there’s no telling what would have happened. What if I was drugged? Or taken? Or both!? I was putting myself at risk.
If you read my First Sign Experience, you know that I asked Simon to come along with me. I think this was a very smart decision on my part! When I first started with this sign idea, I envisioned myself wandering around the world with this sign and having the guts to sit down on a bench in a foreign country and talk to all the locals.
But here is that reality thing again: I’m a blonde, American girl in new countries and I need to put my safety first. Also, I’m paranoid and don’t want to be taken because my dad is no Liam Nieson.
Now, with all this being said, I still found some incredible stories while I was in France. The family I work for rented a chalet for a week, and in this chalet was a chef (a brilliant chef!) and a chalet host. These girls (both named Laura) were absolute gems, and I was so happy to get to know them for the week. If you’re interested in exploring more about what France is known for, especially its gastronomic marvels, check out our page on French Gastronomic Marvels.
They also somehow convinced me to join them on Friday night at a bar called Cocorico to experience the full Apres Ski experience. It was an experience, that’s for sure. So, I asked them both if they’d like to share a story for the blog and they agreed.
Laura and Laura had the week to think up a travel story and I would continue to remind them how excited I was to listen. They both seemed so nervous, almost as if they didn’t want to disappoint me with their stories.
Let me make this clear: someone could tell me a story about how they picked their nose for thirty minutes straight and I would still find it hysterical. I had no doubt that these stories would be amazing.
So, on the last night in Val D’Isere, I grabbed my wine glass and walked up to Laura and Laura to ask if they were ready. The parents that I work for happened to be in the next room over and overheard what was about to go down. They came racing in the room to hear the stories as well.
I felt like I was back at school with my friends waiting for the teacher to tell us a magical story. And WOW! These stories were better than I thought (not that I doubted you two!). But, seriously, one story has to do with a collapsing bridge and the other with a chef interview that made Laura cry.
My experience in the French Alps went better than I had imagined. Something personal that I have been working on is to let go of trying to control the future. I was anxious about this trip with my sign because I wanted it to go a certain way.
I wanted to be brave enough to sit down with the sign in a new location and hear people’s stories. But this did not happen. Whether that was because of my lack of bravery or paranoid brain, it doesn’t matter.
What does matter is that even though my plan failed, I created a new one and found remarkable stories anyways. And these stories are amazing! I am so proud of myself for continuing this journey.
Are you ready to hear Laura and Laura’s stories?!
James Mister is the expert traveler and voice behind TalesOfTravelers.com, offering a treasure trove of travel knowledge accumulated from his extensive journeys across the globe. His deep passion for discovering the nuances of various cultures, landscapes, and urban settings has led him through numerous countries, each adding to his rich tapestry of travel experiences. James's narratives and tips reflect a profound understanding of worldwide destinations, making him a trusted source for travel enthusiasts looking to enrich their own voyages with genuine insights and practical advice.