1st Annual Freshwater

Turtle Symposium of EFTBA

- G. RAFALOWSKI -

Last time I flew by plane was well over ten years ago. While preparing myself mentally to that experience I decided to face the task frontally and with a respective attention I watched all the episodes of the
series “Seconds from disaster” presented on National Geographic
Channel assuming that doing so I’ll be efficiently immunized against any fears of flying. In result, however, during the flight (both directions, by the way) I have doomed my imagination to review all possible catastrophe scenarios that could materialize during my journey. Finally, the only attractions proved to be the first-aid aerobics demonstrated by the stewardesses, and then some sporadic and sort of hesitant turbulences, possibly simulated by the pilot himself, in order to make the journey more eventful for the passengers.


Paris, 2007

The dimensions of Charles de Gaulle Airport can be compared to a handsome sized city and its hugeness can frighten you away. The terminal (or rather one of a number of terminals) presents itself
as a strange modern-day Colosseum and is a kind of an architectonic monster, with rather questionable and weird solutions thought to make the orientation for the passengers easier.

At the edge of getting lost totally, not speaking French nor knowing Paris, jumping from one subway line to another, drifting in a crowd of diversely colored people, I suddenly found myself at the
agreed place – as if being led on a line.

Benjamin & Nicolas

I made a call. My mobile phone worked. Two fellows arrived, some twenty years old each. One with an over one inch long nail under his lower lip, dressed in a Matrix-style coat and sunglasses, the second
one reminded me in some way to JIM MORRISON.

“Looks like everything is OK.” – I thought.

“Shall we go to the hotel to leave the luggage there, or head straight to La Ferme Tropicale?”– they asked. We spoke English, each of us with his strong, national accent. Willing to avoid shame at the very beginning, and also trying to present myself as a vital and strong guy, I agreed with no hesitation for La Ferme, whatever it should be. On the way we quickly exchanged the basics as to the species bred or held by each one of us. BENJAMIN LEPRINCE concentrates on weird sidenecks from South America and Asian rarities. NICOLAS PELLEGRIN, the guy with the nail, lives in Marseille and seems to have an affection for turtle monsters such as Chelydra, Macrochelys and Trionyx species, which corresponds nicely with his charming appearance. Besides, he worked occasionally in the centre Parc A Cupulatta on Corsica, where some 180 species (of about 300 existing) of turtles are being kept (and in
most cases also reproduced). These two guys were hosting the rest of the event participants. Very, very friendly people, indeed!

The ground under Paris seems to be so grooved with subway channels, that I wondered, why the city hasn’t collapsed yet. One can go crazy roaming in the three-dimensional maze of the underground
passages. Nevertheless, after a short while the underground brought us to the neighboring quarter. La Ferme Tropicale is a really big terraristic shop, with turtle species represented very significantly.

Read the Whole Article in our Emys Magazin!!!