At our ‘Paris Cafe Writing’ sessions, our group came up with a name for ourselves. First, it was the “Fantastic Flaneurs.” This was because we walked everywhere around Paris, and one writer, Julia, said we should use ‘Flaneur.’ So we did. When I got home, I did some research, and the feminine Flaneur was a Flaneuse. And not just that, but where a Flaneur is usually “male, a person who lounges or strolls in a seemingly aimless way; an idler or loafer with no real purpose than to be an acute observer of industrialized, contemporary life,” a Flaneuse is an entirely different concept.
The Flaneuse acknowledges that women experience and explore cities in a completely independent and unique way. Rather than walking aimlessly, like her male counterpart, she has an element of transgression: she goes where she’s not supposed to.
Let me repeat: SHE GOES WHERE SHE’S NOT SUPPOSED TO. Little did I know I’ve been a Flaneuse my whole life! I’ve always wanted to go against the grain, especially when traveling, because how else are you going to get those amazing experiences if you don’t branch out from what everyone else is doing? You don’t NEED to get the Instagram shot. Or go to somewhere because someone else has. Find your own way. Paris, London, Edinburgh, these cities are big enough to get off the beaten path and find somewhere that is uniquely yours.
These two women here? I adore them. We make up one-third of the Fantastic Flaneuses, and we live relatively close to one another. Today we decided to meet up for lunch, and I’m so glad we did. We relived our time in Paris, talking about what we loved about it, how it inspired us, and the memories we treasured.
You never know when you are going to meet someone who will help you change your life. Chance meetings at restaurants, concerts, libraries, wherever! Don’t say “no” to experience.
We had a lovely Mediterranean lunch at Olive & Grill, in Studio City. The Lula chicken and kebab was so tasty, and the Tabbouleh rivaled my own, with a hint of heat.
But it was the company that was most important. I hope you see writing from these two ladies soon. Their perspective on life – in LA, as moms, as women, touched me to my soul.
On we go, the Fantastic Flaneuses!
The Fat-Bottomed Girl's Guide To Travel 