ouvrier

What is remarkable, or kind of funny, about this sign above the window? Your guesses in the comments box. Photo taken in Toulon, where today's story takes place.

ouvrier (ew-vree-ay)

    : worker

Example Sentence:

Je ne suis qu'un simple ouvrier. I am but an ordinary working man.

 

Mas la Monaque - 
Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse! Click here for photos and availability.

 

A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse

Mom and I were in Toulon, yesterday, looking up at a giant monument when a man suddenly appeared, like a phantom.

"Do you know the story?" he quizzed, motioning to the statue above us.

I looked back at the plaque, to the dates, which corresponded to WWII. "Were you there?" I asked.

When he didn't answer right away, I worried about placing the man in the wrong generation (and over-guessing his age). Casually, I rephrased things:  "I mean, are you from here?"

A smile lit up his wrinkled face, and he had to hold onto his woolen hat as if to contain himself. Once acknowledged, his voice hushed a notch. "There is another memorial plaque, on the other side..." he pointed out. "For the men who lost their lives in 1911...."

Mom and I listened, one of us translating as the stranger told his story.

"The battleship was called "Liberté"..." he began. "It was a brand-new vessel and it was carrying explosives. But almost as soon as Liberté left the port, the cargo detonated.  The accident caused several hundred men to lose their lives."

As the stranger spoke, his light blue eyes shone through my own, the warmth carrying with it a tangible sense of that dramatic moment in time. So transported, we listened to the waves crashing against the burning boat, the cries of the matelots, and to our own beating hearts, we frozen bystanders, one hundred years in the future.

After the stranger finished his story, my eyes were gently released from the grip of his regard, and I found my vision wandering from the man's peaceful face, to his worn-out coat, to his scuffed purse and shoes. In his hand he held a feuille des soins, or receipt from a recent medical visit. 

Around his neckline there was a layer of debris. Discreetly, I tried to identify it. It was the kind of dust that could collect after a long cold night on the streets of Toulon... poussière from an industrial city shedding itself on the unfortunates, or sans domicile fixes, including schizophrenics, runaways, and drunkards.

I observed the stranger's eyes, which were bright--sober as a newborn. His mind was just as sharp, and we listened, Mom and I, as he began to tell us about his beloved Toulon, this time in verse.

Les arbres qui l'entourent... la mer qui l'embrasse....

Mom listened as I tried to translate the poetic words as fast as the poet spoke them, but I could not keep up. 

I couldn't help wondering if the beautiful rhymes were his own. "Verlaine?" I questioned. 

He shook his head, surprised. "Now, where was I... oh yes! Les arbres qui l'entourent... Toulon, ville de fleurs... Toulon..."

After the poetry came a bit of trivia: do you know about les Farons?

I nodded my head dumbly (really not knowing a thing; in fact, when he said "Faron", I thought I heard "Pharaoh", and was soon lost in Egypt... when Monsieur interrupted my daydream, offering that le Faron was a hill. Pointing to it, he added: "There is a zoo up there." ). 

Just then, I felt a poke to my side. "Ask him if he is a professor!" Mom elbowed me.

"Vous êtes un prof?"

"No, I am a simple worker," came the modest answer. "Juste un ouvrier."

His statement set my imagination on fire again, and I pictured everything from giant cranes to coal mines to dock maintenance.

But before we could find out his story, il a disparu. We watched the simple ouvrier walk away--until he reached the edge of the place de la liberté, at which point he disappeared—poof!—like a ghost. All that was left was the uncanny feeling... of having just received a privileged visit from a drowned Liberté sailor, or ancient matelot.

 

Comments

 To comment on this story, or on any item in today's post, click here.

French Vocabulary

(Je sais, je sais... I know, I know... this story needs a vocab section. Meantime, feel free to define some of the words in today's story. Click here to add a definition to the comments box. Merci d'avance!)

***

In other stories: this stranger's words, "I am but a simple ouvrier," reminded me of another character we met in the town of Buis-les-Baronnies. Do you remember the last peasant?

Thanks for visiting our sponsor:

 Provence Dreamin'? Maison des Pelerins, Sablet. A Vacation Rental Dream in the heart of the Côte du Rhone.

 

We celebrated Jackie's 15th with my mother-in-law Michèle-France's chocolate cake. Uncle Jacques joined us, too.

If you are new to this blog, you might enjoy this mother-daughter story le frisson written last spring. You don't have to be a mom to enjoy it; if you've ever wanted desperately to connect with someone, you'll relate! Click here to read it.

***

Forward to a friend + Sign-up link

Do you know anyone who might enjoy these stories from France? When you forward this post to a friend, they may use this link to sign up for the emailed stories and photos.

In other news, Jean-Marc received a very big package yesterday. He has once again chosen the maritime shipping container as a solution to our storage needs! The large unit is not visible from the front porch (ouf!) and the wine color almost fades into the scenery... where grapes will soon compete with the colorful horizon! To add a comment, click here.

For more stories of Jean-Marc's original solutions to life's dilemmas, read Words in a French Life or Blossoming in Provence. Your book purchase is a great support to this journal. Thanks.

Comments

[Judy]

Happy Birthday to Jackie! She's turning into a stunning young woman.

[Beverley Persell]

Loved the story of the ancient matelot. I wonder if he was homeless? As for the sign, it is translated as anxiety insurance. I didn't know there was such a thing. It would be nice to have it, but sadly it doesn't exist.

[Mem]

To be insured/assured of "anguish" ha,ha! Is that the joke?

[Gun Penhoat]

I just saw the post with the insurance agency where the agent's last name is Dangoisse :0) Wonder if the name brought him/her to the choice of metier?

[Kim]

Is that the guy's last name? One anxious man! Seems like he found a fitting job :)

[Frank Levin]

I wonder if the "D" as his initial further defines the sort of anxiety he is named after. And since all names eventually lead to a place or incident or occupation or some such defining word; where in the world did the incident of anxiousness take place? And to complicate it more; how long ago was that?

[Susan in Oregon]

Merci for your delightful stories, photos, experiences & insights, and for sharing your life and your family with us all! What a perfect way for far-away Francophiles to keep our love affair with all things French alive. Bravo Kristin!

[Chris Purcell]

The cap U in the word ASSURANCES has been flipped -- the heavier part should be on the left.

[Marshall]

cute....to be assured or insured from anxiety.

[Vince DeKime]

Insurance from Mr. Anguish? :-D

[Dave R]

The sign-Assurances D. Dangoisse--looks almost like the hardly advertisable promise of "assurances of anguish." I know: "false friends."

[Christine]

L'assurance is supposed to make you feel better, more secure. But here it's offered by Mr./Ms. Anguish or Anxiety!

[Tonya in Arkansas]

WHAT a pretty "baby" you have! Congratulations!

[tom.hamilton1@gmail.com]

Todays story is very touching!

[jan greene]

Such a touching story and such beautiful children! Birthday wishes again to Jackie!

[judi dunn]

... Krisrin... Your daughter is simply beautiful and has the most engaging smile! she will be beyond stunning in about 3 years! Perhaps a movie star, stage actress, writer ( like her mother) or perhaps a negeociant au vins, like her father! BONNE ANNIVERSAIRE a Jackie! Judi Dunn, Tallahassee , Fl.

[Natalia]

Hi dear Kristin,
Oh,sweet Jackie is gorgeous!!! (just like her mom!)What a happy celebration!!
(PS Is the plastic bag she's holding one of her gifts?)
Another wonderful and touching post.
You have such a gift for not only bringing us into your experiences,but making us FEEL:
joy,sadness,or in the case of this man,his melancoly.Sacrifices.
THANK YOU for reminding us of all we have to be grateful for and what blessed lives we lead.
Love, Natalia XO

[Terry Seligman]

The reason one buys insurance is to protect against "anguish!" I know, because I'm "The Travel Insurance Lady"!

[Carol McFarland]

Today's story reminded me of the day I took a friend to visit the Deportation Memorial in Paris, only to find a beribboned delegation of military people and other officials in the rose garden. The gate was blocked and guarded by gendarmes who prevented us from entering and disturbing the ceremonies, but an elderly man came over to answer my questions. As we conversed, I learned about the tributes to the deported French Jews; and then asked if he was one of the guardians of the monument. "No, madame, he said rolling up his sleeve to show me a number tattooed on his forearm, "I am a survivor!" I was moved to tears, but he suddenly grasped my hand as if to comfort me. I will never forget his piercing blue eyes or his response.

[David Simmons]

Si ce Dangoisse, qui vend de l’assurance (sells insurance) est plein d’angoisse (full of anxiety), ça est une juxtaposition drôle !

[Nicole]

I'll y avait un salon funeraire chez nous
du nom de Sansregret...J'allais a l'ecole avec ca fille.

[Mary Rack]

Reminds me of the former Hotel Angst (anxiety) in Italy, which I mention on this French blog only because it belonged to the grandfather of a hotelier friend in Normandy!

[Heidi]

Wow, Carol, what a breathtaking moment. Thank you for sharing.

Happy Birthday to the beautiful Jackie!

Speaking of ironic names, how about a dentist named Dr. Hammer?

And as for "matelot," one time a camp director came around to all the rooms to see if all the girls had a "matelot" (meaning to say "matelas"). None of us did, of course, so we requested some! :-)

[Bill in St. Paul]

Happy birthday again to Jackie, she's such a beautiful young lady.

I love J-M's storage solution!!

[Grampa Kip in Idaho]

Jackie...you are too beautiful for words...beware of those charming young
French men. Men say the darned things to impress you.

[EL]

poussière = dust
sans domicile[s?] fixes = homeless
matelots = sailors
Les arbres qui l'entourent... la mer qui l'embrace = the trees that surround it, the sea that embraces it
il a disparu = he disappeared [how come it's not "il est disparu"?]
;-)

[Augusta Elmwood]

Hi, Kristin, what a strange encounter! "It was an ancient mariner, and he stoppeth one of three..."

[Jan]

Vraiment, enfin, tu as retrouve le fil de tes uniques histoires en ton imagination. Brava.

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thanks for your guesses. I think David explained it best. He wrote
Si ce Dangoisse, qui vend de l’assurance (sells insurance) est plein d’angoisse (full of anxiety), ça est une juxtaposition drôle ! If this Mr Anguish, who sells insurance, is full of anxiety, then that is a funny juxtaposition. 

By the way, thanks, David, juxtaposition is just the word I was looking for. Is that the word for when ones name matches ones vocation?

EL, thanks for the vocab section and for the correction (il EST disparu). Off to fix that one...

Nathalia, yes, that was one of Jackies presents (there was a necklace and a blouse inside, from Uncle Jacques and his girlfriend).

Grampa Kip, so happy to see your comment. Aw, thanks! And thanks to all for these wonderful birthday wishes and compliments  for Jackie. She is extremely touched by your words!

[Gary Rodan]

from noel coward: "Matelot, matelot, where you go my heart goes with You, Matelot Matelot when You go down to the sea>"

[David Simmons]

When a person's name matches his/her occupation, that's called an "aptronym." I didn't know this until you asked, so I asked M. Google. The French anglicize it to "aptronyme."

[Eileen - Charlottesville, VA]

Hi Kristin,
Thanks for the lovely story today! Love the photos of Jackie! I really couldn't take a guess at the sign. My eyes were so bad this morning, I thought the word for the day was ouvrir. I was confused that it meant "worker" until I looked again!

[Luci]

Wow, what a beautiful girl Jackie is. Happy Birthday, sweet girl. Kristin, today's story is breathtaking, perhaps you DID receive a visit from "a past life." In any case I enjoyed it immensely.

[Jennifer in OR]

One of my most favorite stories, Kristin, this was really outstanding. Bravo! A treasured moment that would, of course, happen to you, because it takes a certain person to be aware enough to receive the treasure!

[Sue LAthrop]

Happy birthday to Jackie!! And how is this for an "aptronym"-- in our town there is a cosmetic/plastic surgeon with the name of
Dr.Hacker! Would you like him to work on your face?!?!?

[Susan Carter (Westminster, CA)]

I'm a little late getting to read this but found it a very touching story and it brought tears to my eyes. Your words really brought the dear gentleman to life in my mind.
Jackie gets more beautiful every day and she looks so much like you, Kristin, that I often mistake you for each other in pictures when I first look at them.

[Leslie]

Le comble, c'est surement le mot "angoisse"! Joyeux anniversaire à Jackie un peu en retard et mes meilleurs voeux pour toute la famille.

[Tammy]

How did your children so quickly become 15 and 17? !!!!! Five short years ago i was introduced to your blog by my now dear friend la prof teresa...this past summer we traveled together and almost made it to visit you. Blessings to you and your family in your new home. Perhaps we will visit again in arizona?

[jessica cole]

Et bien, moi aussi je suis angoissee a chaque fois que je pense aux assurances, mais quand meme!!! Tordant!!!! In English... LOL!!! This broker is a hoot! His name is "Anguish!!" Introductions must be worth watching.

But, hey! The French (and I) adore les jeux de mots! A la bonheur!

[Miranda]

LOL! People seeking advice would go to Dr.Anxiety! Angoisse=Anxiety

[Lavender]

I really enjoyed reading your article. I haven't read the comments so someone might have told you already :the French spelling is "la mer qui l'embrasse", and you should write "il a disparu" instead of "il est disparu."
Thanks again for your delightful "chroniques".

[nadine goodban]

Jessica: à la bonne heure ! mais le bonheur.
EL : il a disparu : c'est correct
il est disparu : c'est littéraire
La mer qui l'embrasse ... avec ss ...

A Kristin : Amusez-vous bien avec l'emménagement, la déco, etc... Ça ne finit jamais, n'est-ce pas ??

nadine, californie du nord

[Jan (in Edmonton, Canada)]

Loved the story! Happy Birthday, Jackie. What a beauty!

A juxtaposition is two opposites placed together to contrast the differences. An example would be if "Mr. Anguish" had a shop next to "Miss Placid."

In this case, I think the best term for Mr. Anguish selling insurance against anguish would be irony of situation.

[David Simmons]

La juxtaposition sur la pancarte est Assurances et Dangoisse. Ça, c'est le contraste.

[june furey]

Kristin, as always your delightful essays give me so much pleasure, this is the first year for 10 years I haven't been able to travel to my beloved France, but through you my heart is lightened and once again I am reliving my happy days. Health problems have prevented travel, but I am slo having to downsize to smaller flat,but I keep your books nearby, they are my tangible connection to where my mind and heart dwell. Now I have Bandol as somewhere .to whet my sphere of interest. I know you will all be blessed with a happy life there. I can never thank you enough for the happiness you have brought to my .life in recent years Your artiste grandmere ami Gold Coast,Australia. June .

[Lorraine Lanoue]

Thank you for your posts! I have followed them for some time and recently introduced them to my 14 year old son who is starting 9th grade French - I'm French Canadian and lived/worked in France (Le Lavandou / Paris). We now live in the US - heard about your blog on the AJC. When I asked him if he was getting your emails, he excitedly told me about today's post and forwarded to me - I don't get them for some reason but am so excited that my son is enjoying! Happy BD to your daughter! Time flies! Thanks again!