Fishermen, horsewomen, and operaland

Everyone needs to find the thing that puts them at peace, where the day-to-day cares of the world recede and perfection seems possible – if for just short moments. For my host, Roby, that thing is fishing. I had the privilege of entering his world for 6 hours when we went to his secret spot on a nearby river where he patiently shared his expertise with me. Of course, the instructions were in French, as he doesn’t really speak English. And, as I mentioned, my comprehension of French is around 30%. So, perhaps, my learning curve was slower than it would normally be. But, no matter, it worked. Roby was very patient as he dealt with my multiple fishing line tangles. In between tangles, it was so peaceful. So perfect. Time to just let the mind wander and contemplate.

I thought of all the fishermen I knew – quite a large number – along with the fact that I don’t know any fisherwomen. I wonder why this particular passion seems to attract men more than women? And, then I thought of our visit the day before to see the equestrian center where Judith used to ride. We went there to see Amelie ride. (She is a Judith’s friend who we met last summer in Santa Cruz.) It was a world of women. Oh, there was a man here or there, but anyone who spends time at equestrian centers in Europe or the United States knows that it is a world dominated by women. I know lots of horsewomen, but no horsemen. Fishing for men? Horses for women? What is up with that? I don't know. Please explain it to me if you understand it. Regardless, I do know that they both have the same function. The escape from the stresses of life. The time to just be in the moment… at peace.

For me, it’s opera. Not all operas. Not all the time. But, there is nothing that is better at creating serenity for me than really listening to and feeling a full opera. The experience sometimes seems almost outside time and space. When I have this feeling, I say that I am in operaland.

I am pretty sure that Roby is in a similar mental space when everything is right – the weather is perfect, the fish are biting. I am sure he goes to fishland. And those women on their horses surely go to horseland.

But back to Roby and his fish. He is just so adorable with his beloved fish. He makes food for the fish. He made some balls the size of big marbles for the carp; he makes balls the size of little marbles for some medium-sized fish and he makes some other concoction for the little fishes. (I have no idea what is in the food as he told me it all in French – but it looked and smelled like fish would like it.) When he first showed me this stuff, I just thought it was bait. But, no – the river is like his huge aquarium and he wants them all to be really well fed. So, after we finishing fishing for the day, he slingshots the big balls to the carp (that he indicated hang out up the river from his secret spot), tossed the medium sized balls a bit closer and threw in a bunch of the other concoction all around for the little fish. Now, a cynic might think that he is doing that only so the fish want to remain around this particular spot so he can later catch them. And, sure, that is true, too. But, I tell you – he also just loves his fish. And, I love him for how much he loves his fish.