Muriel and Sonia
Have you ever felt like you know more about your online friends than your neighbors?
Muriel and I arranged to meet at the Paddington station in London, 6000 miles from Orange County,California, where I live.
“I’ll be wearing a red coat,” she said.
“I’ll be wearing a fuschia jacket,” I replied, knowing full well that we’d find one another as we’ve seen photos on our respective blogs. In fact, Muriel, submitted a “My Gutsy Story” and I’ve enjoyed her sense of humor. She loves to analyze the Brits from her own French background and makes fun of herself, her accent, and often mentions what her British-raised daughters say about their French mum.
Even without our colored coats and jackets, we would have found one another when I got off the train. Muriel looked exactly as she did on her blog and off we headed to “Little Venice” for lunch.
Muriel picked an Italian restaurant overlooking the canals. It was 11:40 a.m., and the restaurant was empty. How nice, I thought, we could get any table we wanted until the waiter said, “Sorry, we don’t open for another twenty minutes.”
I’d forgotten the less flexible hours for lunch and dinner in Paris and London restaurants.
“Let’s have a coffee at Starbucks,” Muriel suggested as it was right next door. Apparently coffees are automatically served in ceramic cups, not paper ones, when you say, it’s for here. The Brits and French prefer the real cup experience, and so do I. Getting cream in your coffee does not appear to be common though. Whenever I asked for it at Starbucks in Paris or London, they offered whipped cream, not half and half. It seems to be hidden in the back kitchen somewhere.
We were both eager to talk about blogging and writing, and Muriel shared her ideas about a book she’d like to write. I thought she should write a memoir about life in the U.K. as seen through the eyes of a French woman. I know she has numerous stories and themes on her blog: FrenchYummyMummy, and these funny stories would make a great memoir.
How far have you traveled to meet a blogger friend?
Meeting Blogger friends
I haven’t met a blogger friend, yet, but I hope to in the future. I got my husband into blogging, and he got one of our friends to start. That’s been a neat experience. Eventually the three of us will have to invite some of our mutual readers to meet. We’ve got a party going already!
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Karen, Thanks for your comment, and invite me to the party too please. I enjoyed your question on your blog today about: How do you want people to remember you?”
Glad the two of you have met up. You are both very colorful — even without your jackets.
I traveled from Brooklyn to Manhattan to meet a fellow blogger this year. His name is Charles Hale, and he does a fantastic blog here:http://storiesconnectloveheals.com/ He met me at a reading of a play at a place called The Cell. It took several months of missed opportunities to finally find a date that worked. I enjoyed seeing Charles among the other Irish-American writers who have a strong community here in NYC.
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Shirley,
So you also enjoy meeting bloggers in person. I know I have called several on the phone or on Skype. That also strengthens the connection.
I shall take a look at his blog when I’m back from Europe.
What a great story. I never traveled far to meet a blogger friend, but I did meet one when I was in Denver to visit with my son. It was a great experience. So true that making friends have changed with Internet. Kind of funny actually, I don’t even know my neighbors name.
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Siv,
What you said is so true. I know my neighbors, but not as much about what interests them in life, as I do with bloggers from all over the world.
Can you sense me grinning from ear to ear? Thank you for sharing your encounter with Muriel, Sonia. I enjoy both blogs. Interesting that I am in Washington, DC, area at the same time as Madeline Sharples. We’ve read each other’s memoirs, shared an online friendship and met for lunch here on Wednesday..a treasured encounter. Love that you and Muriel got to connect 🙂
Doreen,
I’m sure you had fun meeting, just like I did seeing Muriel. Are there other bloggers you’d like to meet? I know I could name several, yuo included.
Thank you for this post Sonia! It is true that I recognised you right away and I am very grateful that you took time to visit me. That said, you are sooo fit that I felt I had to hit the gym. Sigh.
I have never been as brave as you -I haven’t travelled very far to meet another blogger. But I have been to London blogger meet-ups.
But I have to say that talking to you was a lot more interesting!
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Muriel,
I got the impression you are very international in your outlook on life and “gutsy” too. You connected with Chris Guillebeau, right away. BTW did you meet him in person. I can’t believe he was in London. I shall have to come back and see you, and please come visit me in California. Thanks Muriel.
I take note of your invitation. I would love to come to California…But I probably need to work out a bit more before coming to you!
MuMuGB recently posted..No Talent Without Work
Muriel,
I am flattered but you look pretty fit yourself. If you want, we can all have a session at the gym first. I love working out, but that’s because I’ve done it for ages. Now it’s more about what it does for me as I get older.
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..“My Gutsy Story” by Marcia Sargent
I have met quite a few of my blogger friends. When I lived on the boat, I invited people to stay with me..gutsy, yes, and it allowed my online connections to become some of the most wonderful offline connections in my life. I have met over 20 of my peers in such a way.
The farthest I had traveled is from So CA to 3 hours north of Canada, but I am preparing to go to Australia and London.
I also host local meetups and from meeting readers have formed wonderful friendships as well:)
It truly is a wonderful adventure!
Joy,
Over twenty people! That’s amazing. I am very envious of you going to Australia. That’s one place I haven’t visited and am dying to go. When are you planning your trip?
I love everything that you do! I love living my life vicariously through you, too! What a great adventure(er)you are! I have met one fellow blogger twice for lunch. We met at restaurants halfway from each of our homes. Muriel sounds fascinating. I will visit her blog soon!
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Liz, I was feeling slightly down and jet-lagged yesterday and then I read your comment. Just the boost I needed. Thanks and yes, go visit Muriel. She is fascinating, and I cannot wait to read her book one day.
LizB,
I am waiting for you in London then!
MuMuGB recently posted..No Talent Without Work
Sonia,I agree with LizB, you’re doing so much good to people. Thanks for visiting the newcomer as I am, in Paris! I only had a 130 kilometres’ train journey…
Carol,
I remember when we went to the English School of Paris and I always thought I was the “stronger” one who had to protect my friends. I think I was a tomboy then. I really enjoyed seeing you again in Paris and can’t wait for the next time I com over. Thanks for taking the train to meet me.
Yes, you did protect us, but I don’t remember you being a tomboy! I was the one on the football pitch with the boys (there were two or three of us girls). And I think you were watching over us wondering what other mischievous things we would get up to! Is that right?
Blogging is what I love doing.
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Love the photo of you two together. Was happy to see that two of my blogger friends (and in Sonia’s case, writer friend) got together in London. It must be great fun and an interesting experience to personally meet a blogger friend – someone you may have known for years.
How did you meet in the blogging world? I know you both but from different groups.
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Pennie,
I cannot remember how Muriel and I met. I know I’m fascinated by the French and British cultural differences as I’ve lived in both countries for many years. back in California now.
Hello Pennie!
I think I know you from somewhere, right? I am ashamed to say that I can’t remember how I met Sonia. I think that I saw her blog and thought “WOW”…And then we kept visiting each other’s blog…and here we are! I am very pleased that we met and I can’t thank her enough for all the tips that she has given me!
MuMuGB recently posted..No Talent Without Work
MuMuGB.
OK I feel the same as far as where did we meet?
Anyway, you’re heading on the right path. I think we’re all helping one another and I enjoy your enthusiasm for life and for the “unconventional.” BTW, what is MumuGB? Muriel Great Britain?
MuMu is my French nickname. I have added the GB for great Britain…So yes, you guessed it right!
MuMuGB recently posted..The Art Of Queuing
You are definitely right Sonia! In blogging, we meet different people but with same interest. We gain friends, acquaintances and new colleagues.
I’m happy to know that you already meet these beautiful people.
Born27 recently posted..Reservationless plus Conferencing
How wonderful to meet up with a blogger friend! Love your fuchsia jacket too.
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I have to agree with you. The fuchsia jacket is a LEGEND!
MuMuGB recently posted..No Talent Without Work
I told you I left it at the hospital when I visited my friend. Fortunately it’s being mailed back to me as I just purchased it before my trip.
PHEW! You can’t loose the fuchsia jacket Sonia…It suits you very well.
MuMuGB recently posted..The Art Of Queuing
These are some of my most favorite moments in my life…. meeting my electronic friends and knowing we will be FRIENDS for life!! We have, many times, set out on a road trip to actually STAY OVERNIGHT with some of them and every time it ROCKS! The best part is right before we arrive to meet the said person and Mads says, “Ok, remind me again… HOW do we know this person?!”
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