chapters
Towards an ethical and sustainable future
A year across France to discover lifestyles based on ecology and well-being. A year of learning and enrichment through volunteering, woofings, short training courses, participatory projects centered on three approaches that particularly interest me, permaculture, herbalism and eco-construction.
Keywords: transition, resilience, permaculture, ecology, transformation, herbalism, eco-construction, low tech, zero-waste, cycling, learning.
In progress since 27th of August 2020 – France
Opening to the world
After five years of traveling, I am back in France with the desire to jump in the future. The first step involves the creation of content reflecting my skills and intended for my candidacy in the University of Bristol Wildlife Filmmaking Course. I focus on nature and animals. The world around me. During the months of November, December 2019 and January 2020, I work on the creation of videos, photographs and articles on the subject of Camargue and more broadly on the theme of flora and fauna. I seek to develop my understanding of the environment around me and my observation of wildlife. Then in February 2020, I am back in Chamonix for a second season in hospitality while awaiting the response of my application to Bristol. As I have been working for several weeks, a global health crisis starts following the appearance of a new virus and the world ends up in quarantine.
Keywords: flamingos, Camargue, nature, observation, chamonix, tourism, pandemic, coronavirus, readjustment, decision.
Nine months – November 2019 to August 2020 – France
Journey to self-discovery
In summer 2019, I leave on a five-month trip through Scotland and Iceland. I travel on foot and by bicycle on large wilderness, mineral deserts, inhospitable environments and face the elements in search of a return to simplicity through physical effort. In Scotland, I walk for five weeks on the West Highland Way, the Hebridean Way and the Skye Trail. I walk through ruin, swamps and green mountains, ears lulled by the singing tones of the Gaelic language. Then I embark on an expedition to Iceland. Wind is my worst enemy and my best teacher there. It keeps me from advancing and destroys my strength. It teaches me to get rid of my vanity and my pride. To accept unpredictability and impermanence, to discover beauty in every second. I pedal and walk for almost three months, my mind on the alert in this very different world. On this island the landscapes are so raw, so pure that I feel on another planet.
Keywords: wind, effort, nature, hiking, cycling, wide open spaces, solitude, magnificence, volcanoes, bogs, talking to myself, mass tourism, raw beauty.
In the flakes of disillusion
Back in France after a feeling of “burn-out”, I spend seven months working in Chamonix in hospitality. Fall. Winter. Spring. Autumn is magnificent and I take the opportunity to go on many hikes in the valley, fascinated by the Mont-Blanc massif and the surroundings. The work in the restaurant is interesting at the beginning but the end of the year is very difficult. A large number of tourists and organizational and management problems make the days extremely exhausting. The depression that I have dragged for years explodes in my face and I endure several difficult months at the start of 2019. After a long black hole, I start to think and explore my mind in search of a way to a better state of mind.
Keywords: catering, tourism, Chamonix, snow, autumn, winter, depression, mountains, magnificent landscapes, personal reflection.
Lost steps in the outback
Summer 2017, I leave New Zealand for Australia with the will to work hard there for six months in order to save for a bicycle journey in Asia. But my first job turns into a disaster and I find myself a bit lost. I face the difficulties and cross Australia for fifteen months in a strange state filled with questions and depression. I work in blueberries, raspberries and vegetables picking. I volunteer in a sanctuary dedicated to the rescue of kangaroos. I cross the South East and East part of Australia spending hours behind the wheel. In Tasmania, I spend four months in a magnificent environment, the eyes full of stars despite the difficulty of the work. I even experience the Australian winter at the top of Mount Buller working in a ski resort. Lots of experiences and discoveries. But many disappointments too.
Keywords: immensity, heat, disappointments, complexity of exchanges, seasonal jobs, perfect nature, kangaroos, snow, superb Tasmania, animals.
Fourteen months – July 2017 to September 2018 – Australia
Learning in a quiet country
After a half-hearted trip to Japan, I do not plan to return home and fly to New Zealand. I undertake a different journey made of hard work, learning and discovery. For a year I have the impression of fleeing the future while being almost serene in this country on the other side of the world. I first discover the North Island made of meadows, volcanic landscapes, small villages and the two big cities of the country, Auckland and Wellington. Then I fly to the South Island where I spend most of the year working and exploring this island where the vast wilderness is in majority. In the South West lies Fiordland, the wildest area of New Zealand made up of primary forests, large fjords and high mountains. After several months in the area, I cycle up the West Coast before returning to the North Island. A very nice journey.
Keywords: seasonal jobs, wide open spaces, volcanoes, Fiordland, primary forests, birds, hiking, cycling, fjords, tranquility, friendliness of the locals, learning.
One year – June 2016 to June 2017 – New Zealand
Between traditions and modernity
Mix of technology and ancient traditions, Japan is a land of contrasts that has attracted me since my youth. In mid 2015, at the end of several years of study which left me full of questions about the future, I decid to go alone on a journey across the country. I wander for six months through Kyûshû, Honshû, Okinawa, Shikoku. I discover traditions, food and some very specific aspects of Japanese culture. And faces the language barrier and the weight of history. I also do several volunteer work, in a small family inn, on a very small dairy farm and on a tiny, almost self-contained farm. I discover the country on foot and by public transport. I even work in a refractory factory. A great chance to discover how Japanese work. I also take the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the last temples and shrines and visit the Ghibli museum. A special journey. I left the country in a hurry but I plan to return in the near future.
Keywords: discovery, temples and shrines, onigiri, Buddhism, volcanoes, wwoofing, onsen, hiking, islands, studio Ghibli, mythology and yokais, geishas, nuclear bomb, cultural identity, misunderstanding.
Nine months – November 2019 to July 2020 – Japan
