I am naked!

Now BFS don’t get too excited. I don’t mean physically more metaphorically. I am travelling with work without my wedding /engagement/eternity rings. These rings are my connection to him and my children and 5000 miles away from home without them I AM naked! I’ve never thought that deeply about them before, but now I’m without them I realise that they are my security blanket, my armour, my protection whilst my husband isn’t around. Don’t get me wrong I’m not expecting to get jumped but I do feels strangely vulnerable.

Today for example I was sat in the (rather lovely) Air France lounge at Paris CDG airport when I became very aware of a certain gent blatantly staring at me. I subtly carried on reading my (free) copy of Marie Claire and thought nothing more. Then whilst in the boarding queue I was rather surprised to find the same gent standing beside me (well within personal space allowances) trying to engage me in conversation.
‘Do I speak French?’ NO (piss off)
‘Not even a little?’ NO (piss off)
‘I only speak little english’ smirk (piss off - he's really not taking the hint here....)
'Are you working in Libreville?' NO!!!!!
'Is it your first time?' NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
etc etc.....
'
Ooh then about 7 questions later - a statement. - 7 hours - the flight it is too long no?'
(Chance to mention the kids and re-iterate the PISS OFFFFFFFF)
'Actually I have two children - so no, it's not too long - lots of sleeping time' (Please don't let him be sitting near me........why is this queue taking so bloody long..........ooh lady take my ticket quickly please...........and dash for the plane..........)
I shrugged him off only enough to get a 'bon voyage' as he passed me on the plane. Phew luckily not even in my section!

Now had I had my armour on – I’m almost certain this scenario would never have taken place. I suppose I should have felt flattered – perhaps had he been young and hot rather than older and creepy I may have felt different, but as it stood I just willed him away.

You may wonder why I am without my rings, but I am travelling to a place in Africa where it is notorious that the customs guys help themselves to your stuff – and you don’t refuse if they want to take anything.
I am very very lucky to have a husband who is very supportive of me and my work and is understanding enough to not complain when I get dragged away on trips like these. (Even when in this case I didn’t even get to see him come home from work today)

However BFS you can be assured that this is the MOST naked I ever intend to be whilst travelling without you!