Do you remember the story I wrote years ago called My Italian Housekeeper about when I lived in Italy and the housekeeper did not speak English and I did not speak Italian and she was terrifying but we got along just fine! Because she talked to me using her hands and her body and pointing and drawing pictures. And we laughed.
Hugo and I are a bit like that. He is an excellent mime so there is very little that he leaves to the imagination. And my drama training is useful in creating a response. We have spent the good part of two and a half months working together. We have our rhythm – we are good. We don’t need many words now though we use them, we love to talk in our own form of french/english pidgin. It is a physical language, sound is only part of it. Laughter is most of it. We laugh all day.
We drive up to collect a few of his family from the train today. They flew in from France last night. I am hoping that this ability to communicate without words runs in the family. And I hope the house is clean enough and I have cooked the right food.
In fact just between you and me I am a little nervous. And I live a life full of people now, I have many summer people to visit. Why am I nervous? I guess the mothers always make me nervous. I don’t know why. I am only nervous until I meet the person then I am fine. And once we are in the kitchen and at the table we use the universal language of food and wine anyway.
But do you know what I mean? Do super confident people get nervous too? Or just us shy ones.
Well, I had better get going. We will feed the animals and birds and then begin our journey. I do love it when the families come to visit. Nerves are just judder bars not cattle stops. There to slow us down a little. So we think and plan a bit better.
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
42 responses to “Nervous Mime”
I will send positive vibes your way… though I am quite sure you’ll be just fine welcoming Hugo’s family. They may be just as nervous. What an adventure, my friend. What a beautiful life you hav. 🙂
Late evening here now and I was just dying for news of The Visitors, so decided to check in. I am not surprised to see no comments from you though, as I expect you’re far too busy with your guests….. and surprising yourself at how well it is going. So I guess I will just have to wait till morning and even then not sure you’ll be able to post. Here’s hoping! ~ *huggggggs* Mame 🙂
I am 100% sure everyone gonna love u..
In actual fact only 7 % of communication is based on the definitions of the words spoken and that is when both parties know the same language.
As a former GI and, in that capacity, visitor to Asia and Europe I have reminded a number of my buddies that talking louder does not make people who do not know the language understand you. Of course, I first had to figure that out for myself.