Language Lessons

Striped top with lace neckline (Kohl's); Capris (Worthington, JC Penney); Braided leather belt (Lauren Ralph Lauren, Macy's); Golf shoes (Aerogreen, Lori's Golf Shoppe)

Quick, if I asked you to name the "international language," how would you answer?  If you're a self-centered American, maybe you'd say "English."  If you're a romantic, or a fan of the 80s cult movie classic "Better Off Dead," maybe you'd say "love."  ("You don't need words to speak the international language.  Riiiight, Ricky?")  While there may be truth in the "international language of love" referred to in my favorite 80s comedy, I learned on vacation last week that the game of golf also has a universal language.  

I wanted to pack light for the trip, so my golf clothes had to do double duty off the course - I love the very "French" feel of this Breton-striped top with embroidered lace neckline; The Aerogreen golf shoes are designed and made in Italy from hand-finished woven leather - I'd wear them to the office if I thought I could get away with it.

Quotes from Better Off Dead ran through my mind at random during our trip to France, where we enjoyed a few rounds of golf and a lot of "Fronch bread" (they just call it bread...well, the French word for bread),  but didn't partake of any "Fronch dressing" or "Fronch fries," and I certainly didn't drink any "Peru."  If you don't get the reference, see the movie!  It's terrible and awesome at the same time - one of the few films that I will always watch if I come across it while flipping channels.  So, so funny.

Confession - my shirt is untucked because I ate too many freshly baked, warm chocolate croissants at our pre-round breakfast!  Good thing my braided belt was adjustable...

Our exquisite holiday included a stay at a Club Med in Vittel, France, a favorite vacation spot of our German hosts.  We were the only Americans at the resort, where almost no one spoke English.  But, as we played both of the championship courses on site, it quickly became clear that the game transcends traditional language barriers.  In particular, the sounds of celebration and consternation that follow shots swell or shanked are the same in any language.  Likewise, and to my surprise, the term "fore" is common to the game in any geography (not that I had to use it....)  I also learned some new German words on the course that I'm fairly certain are NOT in the German dictionary or part of any Rosetta Stone program.

Clockwise, from top left: I look tiny in comparison to the enormous, castle-like resort hotel and clubhouse that sits just beyond the 18th hole; Beyond the green you can see a bit of the horsetrack and steeplechase course that share the same grounds; The lounge chairs that face the 18th green remind me of the resort in Dirty Dancing; Panoramic views were abundant, each hole prettier than the one before; With our golfing companions/language teachers. 

The one aspect of the experience that defies adequate description in any language was the beauty of the courses themselves.  I've played a lot of different places, but never any as picturesque as those in Vittel.  I hope one day I'll have an opportunity to go back, and I'll be forever grateful to our friends for such an unforgettable and unique experience. 

Kdef ran like a madman behind me as I took this iPhone panoramic shot, so he shows up on both sides of the same picture!; I'd like to think I'd have played better if I could have read the course "tip guide," which was written only in French, but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part.  No matter, every lost ball was just a chance to explore more of the beautiful scenery.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

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