Philobat /ˈfɪlə(ʊ)bat/ (Noun)- A personality type characterized by enjoyment of the challenge of coping alone with dangerous and uncertain situations. They say a philobat is someone who loves to go places. A person that avoids attaching themselves to people or places because they strive primarily for adventure and change. In a way, it’s hard to think that this isn’t a completely accurate representation of both Emily and myself… it’s hard to think of another person that approaches adventures the same way.
I stumbled upon this word during our stay in Paris and thought I had tucked it away in the back of my mind, but once we arrived in Cassis, I found myself constantly revisiting it and thinking about what it actually implied. I wrote it down in my blush pink Rollbahn notebook that I had purchased for my travels and had circled it a few times with my favorite ink ball pen from Muji. It was situated somewhere on the page between the film The Talented Mr. Ripley and a boutique design hotel in Majorica that I wanted to visit. I like to write down notes. I’ve always been this way where I like to document everything. If you’re my friend or have ever worked with me in the past, you would know my love for spreadsheets and my interest in both archiving and collecting. Often times on trips, I create a note in my iPhone and write down anything of significance that comes up so that I can have it for a future blog post, laughs and memories.
Emily even called me out on this a few times during our trip and said, “I love when you open up your notes and write down what just happened!”. I was busted, but this probably explains my interest in having a blog and sharing such personal stories about my life with strangers. (Side note: special thanks to my dear friends for letting me capture and tell stories about our lives so publicly. I enjoy each of you so dearly that it holds a special place in my heart for being able to live, capture and replay these moments in time).
I like to write down words that I find interesting or discussions I have with my friends. My new friend Joe does this better than anyone I know. We were at lunch together a few weeks back in the West Village and he must have walked away with three pages of notes. I don’t even know what he was writing down, but for as long as I was talking, he was capturing so many words and phrases of what I was saying. I had never before seen someone document a conversation so well or have such a significant interest in the words that came out of my mouth. It really showed me a different type of listening that made me feel really special and that this person really respected me and valued our friendship. The entire process was very inspiring and it’s inspired me to start taking a notebook to lunches and dinners so that I can do the same. My other friend Ryan says that in another life I was a scribe and that I must have somehow been connected to Seshat, an Egyptian goddess of wisdom, knowledge, and writing. She is fabulous and often times portrayed wearing leopard with ornate hair pieces (obviously, me).
In France, and in particular, the South of France, the 'lingua franca’ isn’t a traditional language like French or English, but rather referencing culture and time-honored traditions as a way of communication. There is a certain “je ne sais quoi” about how to live life that all French seem to have. It got me thinking about how much more I enjoy life in Europe than in The States. I wonder if it will always be this way or if it’s because I’m visiting during the summer months when the biggest worry is deciding which beach club to go to and whether you should drive the car, bike or walk to get your morning croissant. I recently watched Call Me By Your Name and it made me fall in love with summer, and particular, summer in Europe, all over again. The film is by directed Luca Guadagnino, who was the genius behind The Bigger Splash, I Am Love and The Protagonists, several of my favorite films. If you haven’t seen it, I suggest watching it and giving yourself enough time for proper reflection.
I’m trying to find the words that would explain how much I loved taking these photos in the calanques. When I think of summer in Europe, this is it- boating topless like the French do, eating cherries and tomato and cucumber salad on a boat, and laughing so much that our tummies feel small and hurt from crouching over. We were cruising in the wind, stopping in all the hidden calanques with secret beaches, taking a slew of photos and selfies, discussing our passions and dreams and reading John Richardson's Biographies on Pablo Picasso. I love life so much and I really, really loved this day. Thank you to my dear friend Emily for capturing such vivid and alive photos of me. You brighten up my world and inspire me more than you will ever know!
Coco wears: Fella Swimsuit- Romeo Top and Lukey Bottoms, Linen Farmer's Market Shirt Dress, Vintage Square Sunglasses with Vintage Chain. Photographer: Emily Collins. Location: Cassis, France. City Guide: Cassis