Sometimes adventure can come around when you least expect it.

Before my trip to Paris, my friend, Margaret said, “Call me when you’re in Paris and we can meet up.”

We both lived in Miami, at the time, and worked together. She told me she would be visiting an old friend who lived in Berry, France. It seemed like a vague situation that I didn’t feel comfortable with.

I told her, “Yeah, sure.”

Honestly, I had no intention of calling her and staying with her friend. I wanted to get away and have a relaxing time, going to museums and seeing Paris. I was ready for a solo vacation—just me, myself, and I.

But, after being there two days, I realized I should give her a call.  I love Paris and had been there a few times, even visiting with my two sisters, in the past. This trip was different. I was in a different place in life and decided to call Margaret. Maybe she would visit Paris before heading back to Miami, I thought.

She answered the phone and asked her friend if I could visit.

Then I hopped on a bullet train and said yes to adventure.

The call led to an amazing few days in Berry. It was like walking into another world.

The home we stayed in was magnificent. It was made of stone and wood and was the home of the family who made the ceramic tiles for the castle beyond the stables and lake.

Yup, you read that correctly.

Needless to say, in the morning as I stood, gazing over the lake, and watching the horses mill about, I pinched myself to confirm that it was not a dream.

An unexpected twist!

Next morning my friend asked me if I would be okay with staying three days more because the family dog, a gorgeous long-haired snow-white dog, ran off.

The hostess, who was so sweet and wonderful, didn’t feel comfortable being alone without her dog. Her husband would return from Paris on Saturday.

I felt a mixture elation and guilt. I hated that a dog might be out there suffering and that I was benefiting from her absence. I stayed the extra three days and had an amazing time.

Yes, I even had tea in the castle! The hostess’s parents owned the castle. Again, I’m telling the truth, here.

Takeaway

There are good people in the world. Wonderful adventures are around the corner. Be open to adventure when it knocks on your door.

My book, The Witch of Belle Fleur, is about a teen who says yes to adventure! She says yes to becoming a telenovela actress and she says yes to becoming a witch.

Juliette is faced with challenges, as we all are, but it’s how she overcomes life’s challenges that’s exciting. She finds that working with others like her is the only way to defeat evil.

I hope you enjoyed my tale of my time in Berry. It is a story I love telling.

Oh, and about that dog—she came home with her new dog boyfriend. I guess she said yes to adventure, too!