In fact, my previous attempts to discover land sailing near Deauville during warmer seasons had failed. Due to lack of wind, my partners of adventure and I stayed stuck in the sand without covering any meter. A few years later, in 2005 during the surf weekend Vagdespoir at Biscarosse I met Olivier with which I talked about these aborted experiences. And here we are, both animated by the desire to try land sailing… Provided, of course, the benefit of a favorable wind.

In order to maximize our chances of success, we go on the Northern beaches at the end of the year. And in order to benefit from optimal conditions, we do not neglect any detail, starting with housing because we stay at the cottage of Villa Marie, pleasant and peaceful.

We are coming up on Saturday late morning. It is sunny and the wind is blowing enough for a first introduction. We put great yellow chicken plastic suits and got into a car two-seater. Our charming Spanish instructor (stranded on the beaches of the North to follow her boyfriend) understands and after a few laps in the two-seater car, I take the reins of a car, Olivier still standing beside me on the axle. Everything goes well until a club official does not approve this driving technique somewhat not academic. Regardless, we each take a car and I am left to follow Olivier that guides me to the voice from his car. Frankly, I did not expect to drive a car alone. That’s cool! We go on straight lines and curves. Sure, a few blocks defining the term fly pass my car that get a little too short.
The first day goes well and we go to the cottage at nightfall.

The next day, the wind blows hard for our greatest happiness. Arrived at the club, we discover that our instructor will take care of another group and we have a monitor… Maybe the boyfriend of the instructor… no hasty conclusion from us please.

It must then demonstrate again that I am able to drive solo. The wind was blowing so hard, the monitor gives its consent for me to drive alone, but only if it is a two-seater car. The greater weight of the machine will give more stability and pose less risk to return. It is true that it blows hard! We drive faster than the previous day and sometimes you hang on, accept to tuck less the sail to lose speed.

The weekend ends with the feeling of good times, simple and user friendly. We return to Paris very relaxed and lived with a new experience.

To extend this story:

• Section-portrait appeared in The Voice of the North
• Some photos are not flown

[Show as slideshow]

On this occasion, I salute and congratulate this initiative. Only caveat: it should not be committed to change only in the positive and idealistic speeches, that free enterprise and business will lead the challenge of working with disabilities. During the broadcast premiere at the Ministry of Finance, I had to remind them of this need. I would like here to impress the audience on the importance of second chances through an anecdote.

Background:

• In October 2004, the company Visual Friendly SA, which I co-founded almost five years ago with three partners, is placed at my request in judicial bankruptcy.
• In November 2005, I bounced back by starting a professional activity and opened an account at the BNP Paribas agency Duroc in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.
• In July 2007, I forward this account to the Commerce agency following my move there.
• In October, I created, with an associate, the LLC/SARL Easylife Consulting. My partner and I decided to open an account at the Commerce BNP Paribas agency.
• Two months after performing the steps of opening the account and after several reminders, we expressed our deep astonishment not yet have the benefit of the LLC available (in the meantime, we operating under my account at Liberal).

After an unacceptable silence from our bank representative, the director of the agency informed me that we could open the account. Her words: ” This mess should never have happened. The internal policy of BNP Paribas does not allow the opening of a business account to individuals with a bankruptcy in the past “.

Ironically, the financier of the short program « Entrepreneurs » is BNP Paribas.

Furthermore, the Commerce agency is located not far from the Rue des Entrepreneurs .
What is regrettable in this story:

• No audit of this bank branch to determine the status of our previous corporate accounts and no audit of the Bank of France: our interlocutors would have seen that we are ranked Risk 0 at the Bank of France and the liquidation of our business is « clean ».
• A lack of frankness and ability to indicate the policy of the bank: attitude all the more unacceptable that the bank felt at contrario no trouble for two years to receive money from my clients in private practice.
• Beyond the incredible mess that is more from the competence of some individuals than of a network of agencies, the most serious concern is of the general policy expressed to refuse to open an account with any person having experienced liquidation.

This anecdote is indicative of the risk perception in our country, the acceptance of failure, the right to learn and repeat. Creating and developing its business, it is also encountering difficulties and moments of discouragement, making mistakes, experiencing periods of failure … In short, to confront all that ultimately we must strengthen and enable us to move more effectively thereafter. The general idea that one learns more from mistakes than his successes has a long way to go.

To summarize this thought at the screening of the short program at Bercy, in the presence of some leaders of BNP Paribas, I mentioned the parallel between Roland Garros (sponsored by the bank) and enterprise creation: «When bank refuses to open an account with a contractor who wound up a business is like if you refuse a player to participate at Roland Garros on the pretext that he lost a match before the tournament». ¹

Remembrance as a final nod:

When I was a student, Michel Pebereau – Chairman of the Board of BNP Paribas – taught us at Sciences-Po theories whose concept of « creative destruction » due to Schumpeter (« Changes in economic structures generated by technological advances result in a simultaneous movement to create new activities and destruction of obsolete activities »).

So I would say simply that the creation and closure of businesses are among the attractions of the business life. Our economy should probably accept this idea by allowing more easily the second chance for entrepreneurs.

To explore these mountains, a number of ways: hiking, mountain biking, hot air ballooning or paragliding. This last was the way I chose.

But before flying a paraglider, you must climb the mountain. And in the middle of February, the road from the summit of the Puy de Dome is closed by order of the prefect for security reasons (for excessive precaution should I say when we see that certain exceptions exist, and especially that it is a beautiful sunny day, and the road is dry).

In short, such as paragliding schools did not waiver, we climb up and climb the hill sometimes, just to go faster. Starting point at 900 meters, point of arrival to just over 1400 meters.

45 minutes later, Toni (the monitor), Marie-Anne (originally lectures and “tour guide” during my stay) and I arrive in the takeoff area. Thank you to Toni who has brought almost all the material: more than 20 kg on his back.

Visually, the slope appears to be strong and consolidates the advice of several friends who told me about the apprehension of their first jump : « Especially when you start to run to fly away, you do not stop! ».

We put the gear and Toni gives me some instructions for departure. In short, running for a few steps without stopping and, sail once inflated, ensconce backward into the straps that form a sort of chair.

Phase 1 : takeoff

Here we go, we begin to run. Just to increase difficulty, the shoe of my right foot is slipping away: not at all very pro but no stress, I put it back in one or two movements of the foot. Toni has not noticed. The free style is more in habits areas

In fact, take-off went well and now Toni invited me to wedge myself well back in the « seat ». It is true that we are better. It is even comfortable. As for the flight itself, nothing brutal, gentle, contrary to what the view from behind might have left to imagine Anne-Marie. She felt, she will say it later; we really jumped into the void.

Phase 2 :the flight and the descent of the Puy de Dome

Its great fun. I feel a bit of dreaming and being in a cartoon or a surrealist movie when you see the characters flying through the air. I do not really feel being hooked to the sail, I feel very free to the contrary. The flight is very gentle, « it works for me » as the song says. The wind is rather weak and facilitates a smooth flight.

Toni helped me discover some sensations with several bends and « bottom up » (personal expression to describe getting down and up like a roller coaster from amusement parks). Of course, these figures so to speak are not mandatory.

Phase 3 : Landing

the descent of the Puy de Dome lasted about ten minutes, a taste of too little as I was so well in the air. Toni had told me it would take to make the landing a few feet once touching the ground. My concern was to know when we will touch the ground … You may know the joke (politically correct followers abstain) : « Do you know why they blind jump with a parachute with a guide dog? Because when they feel the slack in the leash, it means they are close to the ground. »

In this case, lack of guide dog, I just felt a little shock at the knees when my feet hit the ground and then I made four or five steps. In short it went well, nothing to do with the arrival of my skydiving when I had finished the nose in the grass (a bit dazed by it is true abuse of twirling figures)

In conclusion, the glider seemed much sweeter than free-fall. While the wind was light and we have not been subjected to strong updrafts, but I would recommend this experience without fear. Paragliding is a good compromise between sensation seeking and willingness to be as in an armchair.

To learn more, go higher :

• Watch the 10 souvenir photos
• Read the article in La Montagne about my speech at ESC Clermont

Months later and after all the work of script writing and editing, Benjamin contacted me again and offered to participate in the video shoot. The video addresses the topics of intercultural issues, age, gender and political correctness, and disability.

This video is intended primarily for training sessions: a trainer can indeed be very useful when you need to avoid communication misunderstandings; for example, the sign made with the fingers of one hand to indicate, in Western culture, to ‘Shut up!’ means in Malaysia ” In 5 minutes ” …

Not as brave as the Bryce, it was me who go to see him in California or whether he who comes to see me in Louisiana, it’s always the same who has to do summaries!! ! Why?

Whatever!

Bryce and Vanessa arrived Thursday, December 2 in late afternoon, not by taxi from the airport as I waited but in a car from a rental outlet at the airport… excellent idea indeed!

Having nabbed a first fine on one of the parking on the campus (Fine that we have not paid since, according to one of the old advice of my professor of international marketing, ” never pay your fines from a U.S. campus, campus police had no real power “), we went to the French Quarter.

We started with the street Ducator who stay unusually quiet: no player tap, jazz band not on sidewalks, not masochistic or type in chains, but just one or two fortune-tellers and predicting the future … In short, nothing to do with the usual! ! !

So I decided to go on the side of a ” safe bet from New Orleans ” Bourbon Street … that is deemed to be the craziest street in the USA! Here of course there were people and more animation for … enough already to surprise Bryce and Vanessa even when we were only a Thursday evening!! !

After wandering the street in great length, we went (from an idea by Bryce) in the temptation’, which the U.S. calls a ” champagne room “.. kind of place where girls are dancing and stripping on stage and, if desired, in a place more removed from the room at 15 cm from your eyes!! !

Attention (mom, read well), do not imagine a place frequented by vulgar old pervert sex-hungry … no! This is a place with enough class customers in suits for the majority and superb dancers who make jealous or full of wonder the other girls!

In short, a champagne room has nothing to do with some people from ” the hottest night ” at ESSEC … Also, as the song says (that I know because of my roommates): ” No sex in a Champagne room! ”… In other words, we look, we do not touch! It’s also amazing to see how these guys in suits keep their cool in front of one of these girls doing a lap dance at 15 cm from their eyes … they just put their hands on the knees of the girl no more, no less! ! !

So please, do not make a big fuss about it, calling it perversion, decadence as in Paris and at the ESSEC, it is much worse!! !

But in fact, Vanessa is, how did you go to the ” temptation ” because with U.S. law, it takes more than 21 years to enter such place and in any bar for that matter? (Vanessa was 20.5 years).

Ah, the yak and legendary flexibility of Louisiana, it helps!

From the side of yak, excuse me but I cannot help but point out the excuse that I mentioned: (after having made a sign to Bryce to go first) ” I need a guide! ”

Not bad? Especially daring! A squint in a Champagne room that needs a guide, especially to explain … I still laugh!

In short, once the show ended, when Bryce and Vanessa had eyes full, we returned to the car and there… we found one “shoe” on the rear wheel of the car! ! ! Or a second fine in less than 8 hours, fine we had to pay this time (after reducing it from 160 to $ 115 … in fact, it is unclear if the guy has really lowered the amount of the fine because it had no tariff and requested to be paid in cash, cash he put in his pocket …).

Regardless, it was time to go to sleep!! !

On Friday after leaving Bryce and Vanessa sleep a good part of the morning (while I was trying to advance on my reports due next week), we went to see the business school and especially the bookstore and rob the store of Tulane. You can find t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, pens, stuffed animals, dishes in the colors of the university through the wallet and backpack, without forgetting the super high top and the green panties (Tulane color) …

After Bryce had made his star style ” this sweater fits me or not? This one molds me there enough? ” And that Vanessa has bought a top rather tight fitting (chest mandatory… with my sixth sense (of shapes and masses), I estimate it to 95 B), I managed to make them go to a more Cultural place…

You tell me: ” Jérôme, it all depends on your definition of culture! ” And you’re right because for me, a champagne room and Bourbon Street are part of the culture of New Orleans…

In short, we left for the natural park of ” Jean Lafitte “. Having arrived there too late to visit the swamp (swamp) by boat, we walked on foot in the park.

It was quite nice but as usual in the States, for not getting in the way of domestic comfort and the small nature of US people, you walk on paved roads sometimes in the middle of nature … real roads that have nothing to do with our old muddy and winding roads of the old forests in France!

Regardless, we saw cypress (tree widespread in Louisiana) and these trees have in their branches what is called ” Spanish moss “… this particular kind of foam was used to make pillows or mattresses!

Also, we have seen beavers, some birds which I don’t know the name and heard the frogs, which can weigh up to 1 kg!! ! (Yes! A one kilo frog!).

To be honest we have not seen a lot of local wildlife… nevertheless, we managed to find three small alligators and there, like the French tourism, we conducted experiments…

We took branches and knocked their alligators head partially buried in the swamps to see if they were real … as they were and not dead trunks (the confusion is really possible) they left and the other tourists in the park could not see them!! ! Oh those French tourists, still idiots!! ! (Integrity and U.S. Honor Code took a hit on these experiences, but as I’ve explained: ” you in the States, you have the code of honor, we in France we have “ the arm of honor!).

On Friday evening, we went to attend a jazz concert … local culture required!

We were with Nicklas (Swedish professor of marketing) who came with his new girlfriend, and Jean-Philippe (French teacher in strategy, former HEC I know since little).

In short, we were in a rather typical joint for this kind of concert. Namely, a restaurant with in the back room where a small jazz band occurs. That night it was Jason Marsalis, the son of one of the 6 famous trumpeter Marsalis whose three of his sons are now making career in jazz (it is fairly typical for jazzmen of New Orleans).

This type of rooms, you have dozens in NO and every night you can find a gig!

However, regarding Jason Marsalis, his father has not learned him how to finish his pieces and the concert was rather longish … fortunately, there was drink and we talked a little, which moreover earned us a little shouting match with the next table… ah those jazz purists, the slightest noise disturbs them! ! ! (And yet we do not speak loud compared to the unembarrassed U.S.!).

After this characteristic performance, we went to Pat O’Brien… a very nice bar with a courtyard (like many bars in NO) and a room where you can sing along with two pianists taking songs at request. Especially, they serve a cocktail in the bar room called “hurricane” (Hurricane)… something which I do not know the composition, but the red color gives you the mouth and lips a bright red instead!

Finally, a good hour after Nicklas left for another party with his girlfriend (I honestly believe that it was “won” for him… I will confirm this afternoon, we should go shopping together!), we returned to the apartment around 3 am. .

Bryce was able to lie quietly while Vanessa read me documents for my marketing group meeting scheduled at 11 h 30… as a result: I went to bed at 4 am 30.

The next day (or more precisely a bit later) Saturday I got up at 9 is to work on my reports and prepare the meeting, where would also be present the teacher… job objective: marketer of Icelandic water in the USA!! ! (This is far from Pat O’Brien and the Champagne Room). I do not know why, but I was in charge of the part ” strategy and creativity “ of the project …

In short, who cares!

Bryce and Vanessa had to actually go visit a plantation while I was working but I did not dare to wake them up…

Result: when I returned from my meeting at 12: 45 pm, Bryce was just in the shower!! !

So we ran because we had scheduled a boat trip in the swamps (tour that we had missed the day before because it was dark) … but it was raining, the road was slippery, the cars were not moving… and after hitting the ass of a car who had the gift of enervating Bryce, we decided to turn back because we could never be in time at the boat… second swamp tour missed! !

Whatever!

We caught up by going to a restaurant called ” The Court of Two Sisters ” located in Royal Street… the classiest street from the French Quarter and probably of New Orleans, street of antiques and tapestries with beautiful balconies wrought iron!

In this restaurant was served a buffet with food (unlimited) outstanding for the United States, as well as some local dishes! Orange Duck, real roast beef, turkey, shrimps … (with good sauces, something quite rare in the U.S.) and the local side: the jambalaya (rice mixture, sausages, light spices, prawns super … good!) and bread pudding (dessert with cinnamon and for once this one was not too heavy!).

In short, we ate very well for a given price and all that, with a jazz band (nicer to me that Jason Marsalis)… shame it was raining because otherwise we would have settled down in the patio!

To digest, we went for a walk in the Rue Royale, Chartres (where the cathedral) and in the street Ducator where tap players were back (these 3 streets with the addition of Bourbon Street are parallel and are the 4 main streets of the French Quarter).

In the Ducator street, you can find all these t-shirts shops (with music in every store), an authentic cigar factory… and the ” World Café ” known for its French donuts.

Behind this street there is the Mississippi. By the way, we went to see if we could not find Tom Sawyer but we found only a bunch of dogs and a muddy field! Muddy enough to have to go home and change clothes!

Ah, the myth of the Mississippi River bordered by an old railway track where trains move forward less fast than you walk and whose siren reasons already 5 minutes before the train arrives at the place where you are! ! !

So we went back to change… I opened a bottle of champagne! It’s been over 4 months since I had some!! !

Then Bryce and Vanessa had absolutely to taste the donuts of the world coffee, therefore direction the French Quarter!

What to say about this coffee? Usually a jazz band plays at least, you wait about 25 minutes before being served and having already changed 2 or 3 times of table (because servers have designated tables and of course, that you are never on one of that the server you met) and finally, there are so many sugar donuts that there are all over the tables and the floor!! !

This time, no jazz band, no sugar on the table (as something exceptional, it had been cleaned) and no waiting before being served!

That still did not stop us to enjoy a dozen donuts.

Then, it was absolutely necessary to see the Bourbon Street on a Saturday night … it was not raining so it was crowded!

Let me tell you what make famous Bourbon Street…

In fact, this street is full of shows (topless cabaret, some champagne rooms) and open space bars with music everywhere!!

Some of these bars have balconies which we still wonder how they hold as they are so overcrowded and old (in France, with safety and hygiene rules, 3/4 of what exists in New Orleans would be closed!).

Especially in this street, where is maintained year round a tradition which originated during the carnival (the second largest in the world)… from the balconies, people throwing necklaces called ” bits ” so that women show their ” tits ” (breasts)… basically, a man on the balcony means a woman in the street and ” invites ” to accept that he throws the necklace to show her breast… more than an invitation, it’s more a requirement (although some women refuse)!

All this takes place in a rather warm atmosphere with screaming (of joy) almost everywhere, but no problem at all!

And that, even in December!! ! (I must say that this Saturday December 4, we were too hot in shirt outside at 2 am … I do not want to disgust you because in fact the temperatures change quickly here)..

We ended the evening at 735, a club of bourbon street … It was so long since I had not danced as in the MBA evenings, they only drink beer and discuss work (oh those students US, they have no sense of fun!).

On Sunday, we decided to catch up on visiting the swamps and plantations.

And… after lying down at about 4 am we managed to get up around 9 am (at least, me first, Vanessa around 9:30 and Bryce the last off course to steal 30 minutes more sleep).

We had to get up early because we had to buy a tape for the video camera of Bryce … I’m telling you here because this story illustrates the cool look, slow and quiet of New Orleans. Indeed, the type of tape sought by Bryce has not arrived in New Orleans (whether in the Virgin of the French Quarter or in a specialty store), and so he had to settle for an inferior tape.

And yes, the New Orleans, the economic level, aside from transporting goods on the Mississippi, it’s not very dynamic!! !

But that’s not for the economy that you comes here it is more for the landscape and for example to play James Bond in the swamps…

Remember the James Bond movie filmed in Louisiana? Otherwise, it does not matter because we made a remake!

To visit a swamp, we finally decided to do it aboard an airboat…

But you know it! It is that kind of boat with a large fan at the back that makes it go and allows it to go both on the water or to pass over a strip of land or aquatic plants.

Remember James Bond aboard his airboat and who zigzags among the reeds and branches…

Basically, we did the same thing accept us, it was not for the film and therefore the ground was less rugged! However, equipped with headphones on (because the airboat is hyper noisy), we were feeling great!

Also, the airboat was stopping near a strip of ” flowers, plants, vine ” (I’m not sure what) in the middle of the swamp or water if you prefer. There, the pilot said we could walk on this floor without sinking into the water … of course; the first to have tried is your essential silly French! Then, as I do not plunged into the water, I asked Vanessa to join me!! (You’ll soon see it here… a French on the water! Enough to turn in his grave in Louis XIV, as the French built the first houses on the swamps (or swamps) of Louisiana) under his time.

We continued this marathon day with a visit to the plantation Oak alley, south of New Orleans and completely the opposite of where we were here… even if the concept of south, north, east and west are non-existing because of the Mississippi ” snaking ” through the city… indeed Bryce that has never managed to understand how we had fallen back across the Mississippi without feeling to cross again Sunday night!

After the visit of the plantation known especially for these oaks, we were supposed to go canoeing by night, but it was too far from the plantation and we could never be on time! So we didn’t go.

On the other hand, it was not worse because of our advanced state of tiredness… it allowed us to go quietly and to go to a final sea food restaurant (very good) with the French professor of strategy.

After the restaurant, we watched the video tape of the trip on one of TV’s apartment, nice video and quite funny even if the image quality is not always top … ah NO and your slow pace, when you hold us!

Be patient, this video will soon be in France!

Just know that since me this summary I went to (this morning Sunday, December 12) at a Mass in gospel … Another part of Louisiana culture!

It was really amazing and interesting!

Of course many songs, many cheers and hugs …

But already a bit more surprising, a “happy birthday to you” sung in honor of those whose birthday it was (although they were not present at Mass!) …

And then even better, the priest!!!

A priest who wanders into the church with a microphone (either HF or with a long wire), but above that raises his arms, who claps his hands, which has a hell of attitude and dance!!

I tell you: ” Women would come almost just for him “. Yasemin (a Turkish professor at Tulane) that I had tempted away for the occasion was almost mad…

But he was too skinny and so she told me she still preferred me yet!!!

Regardless, a mass in gospel, that is worth a visit. I know I did not speak in terms very religious, but it’s almost a show … Show of 2 hours 30 minutes anyway! (Show for us tourists because blacks are gathered enough anyway).

Good read,
See You Soon,

Jérôme

I’ll tell you some footage of the third month that I will call ” a silly romantic French guy in Louisiana ”
And yes, only some footage because I have a job to do (and do not laugh please!)… In return, I will try to stay at the madness that the number 3 refers for us French (and other nationalities, especially the Brazilians who receive this email will forgive me for this cheering …).

For this madness, I will illustrate the past three days (Friday 19-Sunday 21).

You already know I am a member of the Water Ski Club Tulane … otherwise, you know now!

After trying the kneeboard (board on which you kneel), wakeboard (a kind of board pulled by a boat of course), I tried something even crazier!

Having not found anything crazier to master, I thought I had to confront directly to water: did not we ever dreamed of taming the natural elements??? (Good Jerome, stops smoking joints!).

To meet this challenge, I tried the Barefoot! (Of course being drawn by rope and not by being on the side of the boat; anyway, I had no choice because the boat club has no bar on the side).

For teacher, I had a U.S. at least as crazy as me and really nice!!

As a beginner, I did not start lying on the water … but sitting with stretched legs on a wakeboard: the goal is to stay a few seconds like that, then the boat forward at a speed of about 25 km/h (which is nothing but that requires quite a bit of balance).

Then, try to bring your knees to your chest and bend your legs, during this time, the boat increases its speed and should reach more than 50 km/h if you want to take a chance in Barefoot ! ! !

At this speed (always sitting on the board), you take off lightly; with the folded position of your legs, you feel the water flow beneath your feet … at that time, you must get up now in maintaining a sitting position and the board (previously located under your buttocks) goes by itself …

Here it is, you are Barefooting! ! ! (But it is the wheels chair in your office that advances …).

So, in a nutshell.

Just a few words to tell you that at about the eighth attempt, I hurt myself … my US friend told me it could happen again and made me try again…

He was right because the next time was the good one!

However, going back on the boat I discovered bruise more than 15 cm from the ankle and back on the right calf, one on the right elbow of 5 cm and three cuts … to what the U.S. responded ” Girls dig scars ” (” Girls like scars “, did you know this familiar way of saying ” love ” ?).

This Sunday morning, I redid some ski and … some barefoot!

In fact, I’ve not said that my problem at barefoot is that the board on which I go straight legs get stuck between the bottom of my legs when I barefoot and so … it hurts to landing!

Tomorrow Monday at the cardio training, I think I will refrain from work on my legs … which will allow me to concentrate on my arms and then on my return, the girls will even more safe when I will hug them! ! !

I promised you something crazy, I hope you’re not disappointed!

Continuing the madness, but this time the romance and beauty in its purest form!

For the record, I remind you that I wanted to make a ” canoe trip “. The 3 canoe trips open to students from Tulane had been held in late September, late October and yesterday’s Saturday.

For the one in the end of September, I could not participate for some reason I do not know what to call… (I do not see what you are talking about!).

For the trip in October, the U.S. with whom I had finally had to do it, as usual decided to dive back into the books !

And for the one of yesterday, I had given up after the teacher with whom I was supposed to go, gave up for professional obligations…

But I believe I got lucky. While I was working and that I was going to work the whole Saturday, I received a call from two German inviting me to join them in this trip.

They are in new venture creation with my Swedish teacher and a friend had told them that I was interested in the trip…

In a nutshell … and here I am facing a crucial dilemma: to work or go canoeing in the marshes?

After much thought (10 seconds), I agree and two hours later I find myself at the edge of the water with a paddle in hand!

Two people per canoe! They put me with one of the three tour guides (with whom I discussed well).

In short, we’re off going down the river very quiet, very wide (100 meters) … 23 canoes in total!

Gradually the river narrows and the depth decreases …

We arrive at the heart of the swamp; the river was no wider than about 10 meters. Under the circumstance, we will canoe in line and we remain no more in groups … this should allow us to better enjoy nature and this corner of paradise .

The branches of cypress and other trees are sometimes over our heads …

The season is exceptionally dry, so many times, we must get off the canoe stuck in the sand to pull over a few meters …

On the edges, bushes, roots.. and all this accompanied by whistling of birds, not to mention the insects, beavers that you do not see…

In short, ” a very peaceful place… it’s gorgeous! “).

Before dusk, we stopped all on a grass strip located on one side of the river to eat. Here we light a fire and eat… hotdogs and chili (shit, it breaks the dream!).

Regardless, we stay away from everything except nature and therefore there are alligators here!

We’re back in the opposite direction and then another with flashlights… yes, it is 6 o’clock in the evening and it is completely dark !

Finally, we switch off the torches (electric of course) and paddle with only the light of the moon !

Unfortunately, we do not see any red dots in the middle of the dark; red dots who are the eyes of alligators at night …

No alligators in sight, just a few noises in the branches or splash of beavers and fishes in water (enough to intrigue you still a little bit)!

I resume but it was really crazy … this time insanity, borderline dream!

Frankly, a place to return with his girlfriend or boyfriend, wife or husband, emotions and success guaranteed!

Just a little history to finish on this trip … the organizer was the same as for trips in October and September … you remember of September (if not, cf. above)!

Well imagine, he made a speech yesterday during the trip (you can imagine what he said), he came to me and he invited me on his sailboat… (Make up your mind!)

Well I think I’ll leave you even if in terms of madness, I could still add the New Orleans that I finally visited!! ! And so talk to you for example of the ” Bourbon Street ” on the evening of Halloween…

It would require me to write and write again … but for the time (22 h 20), I must return to more mundane things: eating and then work.

Take it easy !
Jérôme

In short, all that to say that I take this flight and my computer to write (here we see the effects of ongoing optimization of industrial management at ESSEC: not a minute lost …). Before talking about my superb weekend, let’s go back on the way in… My first plane was supposed to leave Thursday 7 at 16h20 for Detroit, but just before takeoff, we were told that there were problems of pressurization of a window !! ! Fortunately they realized it before taking off…

Then I had to find another flight and off course another connection to reach Milwaukee. I had met a charming Panamanian hostess of the company just before boarding … she helped me find another flight and that, by placing myself in priority class… I finally departed for Memphis and Milwaukee. Cost of the operation: a bottle of water at $ 2 forgotten in the first plane and arrived an hour later than expected “… It could have been worse! I’ll spare you the details to call the U.S. family (among whom I stayed) in order to announce the delay! Indeed, the telephone booths were not taking the credit cards and when I called an operator to make my call, they would not let me pay by my credit card because she is French !

(“What a fucking laptop, it just got frozen, so I have to type again part of THE FOLLOWING”. And plus we get to Memphis already !)

Friday morning and much of the afternoon, I worked then I spoke with Judy and Gramma (Mother of Judy who is 78 years and started using the internet last year ! She’s a great living being and thinking.). Friday night fish restaurant after two drinks !

Saturday morning breakfast in the dining room overlooking the lake (a small lake not known) in which we discussed history, geography and travel times while listening to the seagulls, ducks, swans … that come to the lake before migrate south. Do not think this is paradise near Milwaukee, but the calm is sometimes appreciable and relaxing! Saturday afternoon, I helped Ken to clean up his motor boat: Water Bowl … of course, we enjoyed it first, I allowed myself to ride and push the gas to more than 40 miles (which is forbidden on the lake!)! ! After walking around the lake and fishing aboard pontounboat (kind of boat with rectangular tables and sofas without cab) … it is made to eat or stroll while enjoying the fresh air! Evening dinner in a dim light and good food: pork slices on the grill and potatoes gratin !! ! We also much discussed.

It’s good to discuss other things than how to make money and/or professional experience, U.S. football … and of course all that in English ! I am happy because now I know how to say that I’m hungry (without having to show it with my hands) and how to ask for a drink (no need to turn my thumb toward my mouth open) …

Sunday afternoon, I went with Ken in the direction of Green Bay (a lost city of about 60 000 inhabitants), not for tourism (because there is nothing to do), but to attend a game of American football … Green Bay Packers is one of the best teams of states and it is very difficult to get tickets for because for the most part, they are sold several years in advance! So I asked the impossible to Ken and Judy telling them that I wanted to attend a professional game of American football … but maybe luck favors the brave …

After a 3 hours’ drive, we arrived at Green Bay (the game was at 19 h 15) and I will describe the mood later because we are landing and I’m going to get yelled at if I continue to write and keep my tablet unfolded!

I’m back: this time to New Orleans.

I was saying that we had arrived two hours before the game, just in order to see the ” tailgating “. it’s actually a kind of ” third half-time “, but before the game and people settle on parking around the stadium and barbecue sausages, hamburgers … almost everyone has a grill and people discuss from a car to another. Also before the game, the atmosphere was nice: music bands everywhere around the stadium. .In the stadium, a lot of interesting things but I’ll tell that when back ! I can just tell you that question chants of supporters, I gladly repeat one of our songs very Frenchy to define U.S.songs: ” and they are where, and they are where, and they are where the U.S.? ”

(Reply) “in the fields, in the fields, in the fields! “.

It is nevertheless a great experience extremely interesting and now, I know the rules of American football! (Warning to those who promised me a restaurant on my return if I was able to explain the rules!).

To conclude on this game, just know that of course I wore the sweater, t-shirt and cap from Green Bay! (Judy had bought me the set).

For today, Monday 11, the program is as follows: Arrival at 15 h 30; meeting for my independent study at 16 h 30 (I should be there just in time) and new venture creation course from 18h30 to 21h15! Tonight: Answer questions of my roommates on the game (of course) and send you these emails … I have also to prepare my next trip in California in which I would like to participate to a canoe trip Saturday 23.

This week: work, work, and leaving Thursday at 7 am for San Francisco. Saturday: departure for Las Vegas and return Monday 18 (with millions of dollars in pocket …). Thursday 21: Back from San Francisco.

Well I leave you, I hope to see the sun of New Orleans because close to Milwaukee it was cooler!

• Wisconsin, Milwaukee and a game of American football for the Green Bay Packers
• The French Connection in San Francisco and excess of Las Vegas
• Barefoot and canoeing by moonlight in the swamps of Louisiana
• A Gospel Mass
• The madness of New Orleans and Louisiana folklore /a>

[Show as slideshow]

Video of my skydive performed at 4000 meters with Joinville, an exceptional Monitor .

It was not without difficulty, not because of personal doubts, but because of having a good weather pretty capricious lately.

In my last mail, I mentioned a jump postponed to Saturday morning at Etretat (the sun was supposed to be there), but on Friday weather changed …

So I found another possibility: near Compiegne at Frétoy the castle.

And after another failed attempt on Saturday because of bad weather, we were able to go to the taking off area on the Sunday morning while the team was beginning to despair (I play it for you: “they walked, they walked, they left 5000 etc. But … casually, the video editing begins Monday and it was time to make that jump).

And so after three cancellations, the fourth attempt was the good one.

You told me to watch out the big mustache guy that I might have on the back as a monitor during the jump, Nadine (journalist with the production team) spoke to me about a blonde bimbo (see Sylvie on the website “a bee skydiving for a jump at Etretat”).

Well none of this: a ” beautiful black ” (as Nadine said) was my instructor.

See what I put from myself anyway .

NB: the opportunity to tell you that I do not go more blonde than brunette, etc. Contrary to what some may say

A ” beautiful black ” whose first name is Joinville and in the name of Francis (not a joke, he is from Guyana)

and was a world champion in Relative flight, coach of the France team… In short, a pro but mostly very nice.

If you want to experiment jump, there is a way that I can put you in touch. One could make a collective jump and end up in the air.

So what about this jump? It’s coming…

Free fall (Without open parachute)

• Altitude: you gave me a jump from 3000 m. We jumped from 4000 m.
• Length of the free fall: 50 seconds

1) the first 6 seconds

While I was starting to be in space (hanging from Joinville) sitting on the edge of the plane, I folded my legs under the wall of the plane, put my head on his shoulder (very tender all that) … And then we jump …

Reactions / feelings: ouaaaaaaaaah Band of liars … ” it feels really empty and we did not feel like floating on air “, ‘it goes really fast, how will we slow down, where are we going?’

Top speed according to Joinville near 200 km/h

2) activation of the retarder and ” free style “

Joinville triggers a small ” parachute ” called retarder…

Here we begin to acknowledge the camera man (person also in free-fall filming the jump), you starts on the belly and we turn on ourselves.

In short, very nice feeling of spin (not as a loop or somersault but rather to horizontal, flat in the opposite direction clockwise).

I asked Joinville if it could be possible of doing something else than just a vertical jump …

NB: Don’t imagine that we made a lot of figures

Trigger of the parachute

• Altitude: 1500 meters
• Parachute type rectangular paragliding
• Small shock at the exit of the parachute but very mild compared to what I was told

1) Figures

Joinville has controllers in hand, passes them to me and we made new figures: right turn, left, runs, lifts. As said Joinville, we are also there to have fun … And to his question ” still ok “ ?I answered ” yes “… Until I felt that we were beginning to abuse …

Feeling discomfort coming due to the jets in the head, I asked what the game goes quiet (we were almost there, 200 or 300 meters above the ground)

2) Landing

On the ground, the team is worried because they heard me saying ” I’m leaving, I’m a little dizzy “.

NB: I had a mic on me and I commented several times on the plane, during the jump, etc… Just in case the sound would pass

In short, soft landing but I lie down and plant myself in the grass. Interview lying on the grass, face white but super lucid declaring among other things ’it is extraordinary’ and to the question ” will you do it again? ” I answer ” yes, but this time with a female instructor ” .

NB: In addition of the camera man (included in the jump that you offered me), the production shot when she could (see parachute, take off, preparations …)

Conclusion :

(And yes, a plan in two parts, subparts to the science-pipo, always ends with a conclusion)

A big thank you to you all and here I confess I had never experienced something so strong.

I get the full video of the jump and we look at it … I started with Aladji to explore the possibility of an evening on the 8th or May 22 (but I just think that 22 is the weekend of ascent … Well, next symbol, the ascent, it is the ascent to heaven, right?)


See you and at your disposal,
Jérôme