avatarPierre Matile

Summary

Pierre Matile, a Swiss transplant living in Vienna, is preparing to embark on a journey from Chicago to San Francisco along Road 50, sharing his experiences and European eccentricities through daily stories and street photography, while also reflecting on cultural differences and his anticipation of exploring America's "Loneliest Road."

Abstract

Pierre Matile is set to travel across America, specifically on Road 50, known as the "Loneliest Road," and plans to document his experiences in a series of daily stories. He has a background in street photography, which he intends to pursue during his travels. Matile, who has lived in Vienna for twenty years, brings a European perspective to his American adventure, noting the cultural differences in attitudes towards nudity and the concept of community. He is eager to infuse American communities with European eccentricity and is open to suggestions for unique places to visit in Chicago, where his journey begins. Matile has committed to writing a short story every day for the next three weeks, aiming to entertain and engage his readers with his observations and photographs.

Opinions

  • Matile expresses pride in sharing European eccentricity with American communities.
  • He reflects on the cultural differences between Europe and America, particularly in the acceptance of nudity in public spaces.
  • Matile recalls his initial shock at the openness of nudist activities in Vienna compared to the more conservative environment of London.
  • He values the diversity and richness of experiences that come from venturing beyond one's own "small village."
  • Matile is open to recommendations from locals for interesting and reclusive places that align with his tastes, indicating a desire for authentic experiences.
  • He views his public commitment to daily writing as a strategy to combat procrastination and engage with his audience.
  • Matile seems to appreciate the beauty of spontaneous interactions, as seen in his interest in street photography.

Road 50, the Loneliest Road

Soon on our way

Photo by neil kelly: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-a-man-in-white-long-sleeved-top-on-blue-and-white-pop-up-camper-753603/

America, we are on our way (or almost). Our bags are packed. Our check-in is done. We still have not received our boarding passes as we have to present a document that mentions that we have accepted the right amount of shots in our arms to protect you, Americans, from bringing you the last version of the COVID virus. Indeed, as we all know, bad things always come from abroad and result from each of us not staying indefinitely in his/her small village.

Now, imagine for a moment what would happen, if each of us would stay in his/her small village and frolic only with the neighbors. No, better not to imagine. I have grown up in a small Swiss town with the prescribed statistical number of idiots born out of consanguinity (intellectual or physical). Closed communities do not have too much to offer.

So I feel very happy, and proud, yes proud that I will get a chance by tomorrow afternoon when I will be landing in Chicago to infuse the American community with a dose of European eccentricity.

I have just read this article on medium about nudist camps in America. Do not be afraid (or excited?), I am not one of their representatives but just wanted to mention that what you may consider an eccentricity to be hidden from children and grown-up views in America is considered, well, quite natural in Europe.

In Vienna, where I live, although I am a transplant from Switzerland, you have nudity on the bank of the Danube river. You even have one time per year, a nude cycling demonstration in the center of the city.

I remember moving to Vienna twenty years ago with my family, pushing our stroller around a lake located a few hundred meters away from our hotel to get some fresh air and calm down our kids when suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by this famous naked tribe and their natural full-body leather clothes.

Photo by Ryanniel Masucol: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sensual-naked-asian-woman-touching-chest-near-pond-6129917/

They did not harm us. :) Coming from prude London, it was quite a shock.

If by chance you read this short story and live in Chicago, and know places in Chicago, I would be delighted to read your comments on what to do or visit in the city. You are perhaps also aware of strange ponds and recluse places that I may find attractive, now that you know me a little bit better. I like to make photographs, especially street photographs. You can find my pictures on:

My goal is to manage to write one short story per day for the next three weeks to hopefully entertain you on the progress of my trip from Chicago to San Francisco on the Road 50, the loneliest road. I have done it. I have just committed myself to write every day. As they say, a commitment is a powerful weapon against procrastination, especially when it is a public commitment in front of you all, my readers.

Let the skies be merciful and the stars shine to lighten our road. Our camper is hopefully waiting.

Let the adventure begin.

Roadtrip
America
Chicago
Rv
Holidays
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