Interview: "Me, Myself and Paris" with author Ruth Yunker

Recently, Ruth spent some time with us in our home in the U.S.  We introduced Ruth to our community, and she graced us with a “reading”.  I also had an opportunity to interview Ruth about her book.

Well Randy, I’m a writer and humorist, a Californian, a mother of two grown children, and a yoga, crossword and cashew fanatic.  I was at a kind of crossroads and I wanted to get away to a foreign country.  I chose Paris because at one time I spoke decent French, and I knew it would come very in handy having a grasp on the language of the country I chose.  It turned out that my French was beyond rusty when I got there, and now, four years later, may be up to sub par.  But boy, my accent is perfect!  Just ask my friends!

Can you tell me what inspired you to write this book?

I’m a writer, and the  fact is absolutely anything and everything a writer does is grist for a book.  So naturally all the learning curves and pratfalls I took getting adjusted turned into a book…which started with the copious journal I kept for the entire trip.  Also, the first trip to Paris on my own, was a triumph, as far as I was concerned!  I stayed for six long weeks, and walked away smiling!  I wanted to share this with anyone who ever wants to travel, but are nervous about trying it on their own, especially women.

I have a love-hate relationship with Paris, is there something you really love about Paris and what you really “dislike”? 

Paris is one of those places that inspires love/hate relationships, I think.  Mostly because the Parisians themselves can be an austere bunch, who have no patience for the bumbling, but ridiculously happy, tourist.  I live in a tourist area myself, and there’s nothing more annoying than all these happy people on vacation, getting in your way, clogging the way, when you are in the midst of your own humdrum daily life!  But Paris herself is so beautiful.  For me, it’s the history of the place, the oldness, the magnificence.  I like nothing more than to simply walk around.  Of course this isn’t a stroll.  The sidewalks are crowded, everybody is in a hurry, but even that adds to the charm of being out and about on foot on cobblestoned streets.  I’m jostled and hurried and blown to bits, out and about, in Paris, and being a car oriented Californian, this is downright exotic!

Living in Paris is a challenge for most Americans, what was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?

Since everything is a challenge because it’s in a foreign language, I have to say having the guts to go up to a Parisian and ask a question, in French.  How much is this?  Where is that?  How does this work? And so on. They would always reply with a stream of French which I barely
understood, and so would have to haltingly ask more questions.  It was exhausting.  But necessary.  Parisians will happily work with you if you are willing to try and speak French.

You’ve lived in many places in the US as well as in Europe. Where do you see yourself living or splitting your time? 

Such a glorious question!  So many choices!  But narrowing it down, I plan to be based on the West Coast, either LA or SF area.  Both of my children live on the West Coast.  And then Paris.  With a mountain and country retreat thrown in.  Right now I spend the summers in a tiny town in the Midwest, away from all tourists!  And I’ve just fallen in love with Soda Springs, CA, which you, Randy, introduced me to!