The Travel Adventures of the Chapeaux of Mme. Goudeau

Jean-Marie had emailed Mme. G to find out if her box with her Chapeaux had arrived safely in San Francisco from Paris. Jerome had mailed them with in a week of her letting him know they had been left in the apartment in Paris. Mme. responded that they had not yet arrived but she was not overly concerned… yet. Her chapeaux knew who had created most of them, and who wore them with joy. They knew who their maman would miss them if they stayed away for too long, but they were on an adventure! This adventure had started when Mme. G, rushed to get out to the airport van taking her back to CHG airport in Paris. She realized that she had left the bag with her Chapeaux, before she even got outside. You see, the van had come early and instead of taking a last walk around, Mme. had rushed out, locking the door with the chapeaux left inside!

What made it all the more frustrating for her was the twenty minute wait at a hotel for a couple, only 2 blocks down from the apartment! It is bad enough to find yourself losing your Parisian air of blasé that you have gained from even a week in the City of Light, without being reminded that there are “no emergencies” in life…only those which you allow.

Mme. G knew without doubt, that Jean-Marie or Jerome would make sure that the Chapeaux were returned to her. Both were men of their word, and had made her feel well taken care of while in Paris. Their apartments felt the same way. Mme. G knew she was “at home” from the moment one of them met her at the door.

Arriving back in San Francisco, the only disturbing element was that she had no Chapeaux to wear home once she had left the airplane. She did not really feel “dressed” without one of her lovely chapeaux. Well, that would teach her, would it not? Next trip she would take her time. That was really what life was all about, but it takes some of us longer than others to learn that lesson. There was a quote from the story of Alice in Wonderland that explained it properly…”When you learn your lessons, your lessons will lessen”. Ah…those lessons…

Well, it had been a week since Jerome had sent them off, and the Chapeaux…Rouge, Blanc, Noir, Vert, Dore, and Chartreuse… were heading off for adventure. They had left Paris in the nicest red box that the Postal service provided, nicely packed into the tote that Mme. G had carried them on the trip in. They were well cushioned by the lovely gant de bains (bath mitts) that Mme. had purchased as gifts for friends. Of course there were a few other goodies tucked in, as surprises and amuse bouche to help this journey to be much more fun.

Rouge, being the largest and having a brim, took charge as leader. She always attracted much attention as she could tilt herself coquettishly. This often made her a flirt, but the other Chapeaux did not mind because she was also kind, generous, and always willing to give them a petite lesson in truly being who they were.

“My lovelies,” said Rouge, “Since Mme. G. has all the other Chapeaux in her closet; this will give them a chance to get out and be seen. We will take our time in returning home. What do you say we take a few tiny detours and not return immediately to San Francisco?”

The other Chapeaux were thrilled, as Mme. G seemed to depend on them more than the others for travel, and they were fatigues. They had spent a whirlwind two weeks in Paris last year, a week this year, with side trips to Southern California and Seattle in the US.

Of course they knew that it was a pleasure to be so valuable and loved, but as we all know… vacations are important too. We need time to rest, and get ourselves freshened up for future outings. We need to be fluffed and pampered at least once a year and perhaps more if we are of more delicate fabric or color.

Mme’s Chapeaux knew all of this, but sometimes they wondered if Mme. G might sometimes forget. She had a tendency to try and do too much to catch up with bonne vie. She needed, perhaps to know that the good things meant for you will not float pass but meet you when you are truly ready.

Noir, who was of a delicate silk fabric spoke up, “Yes, I do need to be stuffed with tissue and steamed or my bow does not lie as it should.” Blanc chimed in, that she needed to have the hat pin marks cleaned from her more often. Dore wanted Mme. to add a flower or pin to her to change her look, while Vert and Chartreuse actually wanted to be used more often as they were more unusual in color. They knew they could add joie dans la vie to an outfit.

Rouge, listening to everyone, realized that perhaps it was time for more creativity in not only their lives, but in Mme’s. She also noticed that the advice she had been giving the other chapeaux, was taking hold. Ah bon! They all needed some change.

Perhaps they could convince Mme. G, that without reducing the size of her collection, she could allow some to be on vacation, while others would be out and about and giving people a chance to see how versatile Chapeaux really can be. People today needed to see splendor being worn in order to be reminded of some things they had, perhaps forgotten?

She was convinced that by the Traveling Chapeaux taking a longer, more leisurely time getting home, Mme. G would figure this out on her own. She trusted Mme’s judgment, but a little nudge would not hurt, eh bein?

Now mes amis, we are about to embark on this travel adventure, in our lovely red carriage box… and see where it takes us. We will plan to be gone long enough that Mme. will have begun to allow some of the other Chapeaux to get out and about, but not so long that she forgets about us. Bon Voyage to us! Jerome took them to a Paris, La Poste, and from there they were taken to an Airport and put aboard a flight to New York City!

Un moment, this is not where they had expected to land, but it just might be fun. They had read that there were many Chapeaux living in New York and that the women looked very charming in them. Chartreuse spoke up, “What we have seen in certain magazines does show ladies in chapeaux, especially at the garden parties and fund raisers, and a few weddings. But, do you think that it is an every day occurrence?”

Blanc responded, “Well, the only way we will be able to know for ourselves is to get out of our container box and step outside to see. First, we must move our container out of the area where things are being loaded for the continuing flight to San Francisco. If we all scoot a bit, at the same time, I think we will be able to do that.”

“I have an idea”, chimed in Vert, “Why don’t we go to see Mme’s amie, Mme. Sheila, who lives in New York, at least part of the year. I am sure she would be able to tell us where to look for ladies in chapeaux. Ah, and we must not forget that Mme. Portia, her Godmother, has a daughter, Mme. Lydia who lives here also.”

“I have just remembered another amie, Mme. Susan, who worked with our Mme . She moved to New York over one year ago, and has sent emails updating her on the fashions”, said Dore.

“My dear ones, you are coming up with wonder-filled ideas! I am very proud of all of you. We will find a phone directory and be on our way, just as soon as we get this box of ours over there to the side.” spoke up Rouge.

All of the Chapeaux were ready and on the count trois, began to shift and move so that before long their box was moved over to a corner of the storage space. They quietly lifted the lid, and were free. They left the gaunts de bain and other petite cadeaux, on guard duty. They would not be gone long….just enough to see some of the New York Fashions and compare them with Paris and San Francisco? Then they would have something to tell Mme. when they arrived home. She could not remain upset with them, if they had some bon first hand novelles to tell her.

Finding the phone numbers was not that difficult, and with the cell phone they had luckily found when climbing out of their carriage, they made their call. Alas, none of Mme’s amies were home. Not to worry…they would just stroll leisurely out on and see for themselves. Our own eyes can tell us much more than second hand information, non? They would first do as the French do….lecher la vetrines…and see what the store windows had to offer! Next, they would just roam. This was the way they had seen what was happening in Paris, London, and all the other places they had visited with Mme.

“Regardez cela! Look at that!” Some of the gentlemen of New York were wearing the most appropriate summer straw chapeaux. How nice this was to see. Mme. would be impressed. These men were walking in well-cut summer suits and reminded them of Parisian men they had seen riding their bicycles to work. Tres Elegant!

Now, for the Mlle’s, and Mme’s….They saw many muted tones, black and grey. Perhaps this is the area of Finances? That would be appropriate…but this was Juin! Even in Prentemps, Paris, they had seen many more colors and lighter fabrics. Well, New York has it’s own way, but of course. Perhaps they would come back Dimanche, and see how people dressed. Had it not been different on le weekend in Paris? Oui.

Back to their red carriage box, they went. This was a very grand-scaled city and it took much time for them to get where they were lodging. On their return, Les Gant de bains, had messages from Mme.’s amis…saying that, “Oui! Dimanche , would be the perfect day to see what NY people wear on weekends.”

So…Les Chapeaux rested a day waiting for Dimanche….when they would venture out again.

On the day… they primped themselves, and got out early before the heat might wilt them. Down the streets they went looking droit et gauche. “People certainly were dressed differently on le weekend, it was true. There was some of everything to be seen, from the ubiquitous jeans, shorts, cropped tops, pants slung low, many Bermuda shorts(the latest rage?) and even 1940’s sun dresses, worn with cowboy boots…some straw chapeaux, and even a few pretty parasols to give a more feminine feel to the day and keep women out of the direct sun.

They had to remind themselves, they had seen much of the same things in San Francisco, had they not? Paris, had it’s casual dressers, but they, Le Chapeaux , had not been there in the heat of summer too understand first hand. Perhaps next year. The only truly casual dressers they had seen were on Samedi, in front of and in the grand magazines. Le bluejeans, unfortunately seem to be a sign of the times all over the world. Quel Dommage!

They looked up and down the streets, in the parks, along a river, but what they felt was a general disappointment. “Perhaps it was not the fault of New York”, said Noir. “ It was a different city, where people seemed to very prone to what is called cutting edge.” They had seem some vintage clothing. In a city of this size, there had to be many different styles.”

“Yes, we must give credit where credit is due”, Rouge spoke up, “But I am very tired, mes amis, and it is hot and humid. New York may have great things to offer many, but it does not seem to suit our esthetics. Mme. has spoiled us! That is a very important lesson to learn. Curiosite is not always the same as plaisir. Shall we go back to our coach and cool off? Then, I think it is time for us to figure out how to get ourselves back to California. It is time to go to our American home. Mme. G, must miss us by now, and we certainly do not get the same attention by ourselves as when we are being worn by her.”

Since all of the Chapeaux secretly agreed with Rouge they did not argue her point. It was time to get themselves home. Chapeaux should be seen to be appreciated. On Mme. G, they were appreciated!

Back to their travel box they went, ready to do their little dance of moving the box back to a place where it would be seen and put on a plane to San Francisco. With a little shuffle and bump, they did just that.

The very next day, an airport person spotted the box and looked at the paperwork. She knew this box should have been in the air before this, so she picked it up and hand carried it to the transit belt. “Ah bon!”said Mlle. Suzanne, the airport person. You see, she was originally from Paris, and was here learning how things worked so that she could go back to CHG airport and train others.

With a song in their hearts, the Chapeaux were now winging their way home…at least to the office where Mme. G worked. Would she not be surprised at last?

Once the plane put down at San Francisco International Airport, they concluded that it would only be a few hours at most before they were delivered to Pine Street.

We all know by now though that things do not always go as planned, especially when we have tried to prove a point to someone?

In the mean time, Mme. G was beginning to get a bit concerned. “Where were those silly Chapeaux? It was time for them to be home,” she commented, a bit worried. In fact she decided to contact Jerome and asked if it were not perhaps, time to put some type of tracer on the box. She had been checking with the building Post each day to see if a box from Paris had arrived. She knew in her heart that they were somewhere near…she could feel it, but….

Mme. G had, in fact, taken out some of the other chapeaux and given them a chance to be seen as Rouge had thought. This was good, but when she had a special rendez-vous, and needed a rouge chapeaux, she was obliged to go out and find another. She knew that if the Chapeaux were not here, she was not going to go without. This charming black and white polka dot dress ensemble needed Rouge to set it off and bring it to life. It was a very Parisian ensemble and Mme. was simply not going to wear a hiver(winter) chapeau! Besides, each of her chapeaux was needed for different reasons. They must know that!

Rouge and Dore were straws but Mme’s other Chapeaux were ones she had personally made. They were of beautiful soft fabrics and easy to pack. She had developed the styles from her Africque Ouest roots. Why they all had to arrive home soon!

As life will give us tests…the Chapeaux were now sitting in the San Francisco Airport Cargo area. They were not noticed for several days, and then the DHL Courier Company delivery service was assigned to deliver them. This was strange as they had been shipped via La Poste in Paris.

Three weeks after they had been left behind in France the Chapeaux were delivered to Mme. at her office. The box arrived on Vendredi, and Mme. G was so surprised to have her Chapeaux back… that it did not dawn on her that the box was delivered by DHL instead of US Post! She tried to call to find out what had happened and possibly why there had been such a delay, but the line cut off.. Then she began to sense something more important…. that it did not matter. Perhaps she would ask her Parisian amie, Mme. Brigitte about this later. The Chapeaux were here, safely home and everything was in the box as she had left it in Paris. That is what was important.

She was so happy to see her Chapeaux she could have hugged them. Instead, she simply took the tote bag they had been shipped back in, out of the box, and carried them home that evening.

Some things are not worth using your energy on. Life will teach us if we are willing to listen, wait and try to understand what is most important. In time the things that are meant for you…will come to you. That is a guarantee from the Univers…Universe.

“Now”, she thought on her way home, “I wonder what these Chapeaux have to say for themselves?”