The French Hornet

I was out of town recently and got stung by a hornet. In France!

(Photo by Rachel Goldstein)

What happened was, I was staying in this amazing Airbnb right next to a waterfall. It was the place I planned on being a bit more of a splurge than the others on my trip. I was really excited as I realized I’d likely be able to hear the waterfall from my room with the window open. I opened the window that night, just after I got out of the shower, and a hornet came in! A French Hornet.

(I love France, but that’s one thing I still have culture shock with- why can they not use window screens?? I have seen some, but in most cases, no.. )

It did remind me of a time at least 10 years ago when I killed a hornet after it got in my apartment one night and felt like a total badass, but that story may be for another time.

What I felt like sharing in this story was-

In this case, I didn’t bother doing anything about it. I was on vacation and had just taken a shower when I saw the hornet fly in my room. I didn’t feel like bothering…

I went about my business and ate a snack, relaxed, and tried to go to sleep. Only to not fall asleep very easily. I thought, did I jinx myself? I had just posted online about how happy I was about the travel plans I made, etc.  And I saw a shooting star (for real!) ... :)  Earlier in the evening.

I wasn’t falling asleep, and was up most of the night- it was the only night during my trip when I didn’t sleep well, thankfully, but on that night, I wasn’t falling asleep. And then finally, I fell asleep, and what do you know? That bastard stung me!  “Asshole!” I shouted and jumped up in my room- it was in the wee morning hours, and it was just starting to get light out, probably just before 7 am.  “You bastard!” I yelled. And I was so mad at myself for not taking care of it earlier.

I felt like posting about this because somewhere in there, I also thought “that’s funny how I wasn’t able to get to sleep, and then I did finally fall asleep, only to have this happen. Did I somehow know this on some level?” That I needed to take care of this, and that’s why I wasn’t falling asleep?

Because, I mean, I was still aware the hornet was in the room, but I wasn’t too worried about it. Each time I was reminded it was there, I thought “Why won’t it get out of here?” But didn’t feel like bothering with it.

I remembered another time at home when I didn’t sleep well and the next day, realized I left my keys in the lock outside. It could have been the same thing then. It’s something I’m thinking about a bit and reflecting on.

Are there things you know and don’t quite realize it? Are there things you know without knowing you know?

This is what that French hornet has been making me think about.

What questions does it bring up for you?

#innerknowing #trustyourintuition #trustyourself