Sometimes words are just words. But some other times, simple common expressions make much more sense when said by someone who really means it. Like the “Sabaidee” Lao kids sing at you while waiving. Like “Hello /G’day” from other walkers on the way to a long, nice and quiet hike.

This is the story of 3 little magic words of that kind. Those 3 words, when said at the right time, with the right intonation just sound like the most wonderful music in the world.

Let’s see if you can imagine.

It’s around 11 A.M. at the backpackers. Joel, Diane, Anna and I have been working for 3 hours now : Joel and Diane managing the check outs and laundries while Anna and I took care of the cleaning. Yesterday we talked about going paragliding but it’s too windy. After a few telegraphic moments discussing while working, we decide of a program for the afternoon. Usually it goes like this :

I see Diane while passing at the front desk :

– Hey, so, what’s the plan for this afternoon ?

– Don’t know, I’m going to check with Joel.

Later, Diane comes to see me while I clean the shower :

– We’re going mountain biking, do you want to join us ?

– Where ?

– Probably Deans Bank

– Ok, not sure I’m gonna do all the loop but ok.

Later again, Joel comes to see me while I’m mopping the floor :

– We leave a 12:00 P.M., you should get ready

So here I go, once I’ve finished the mopping I have half an hour left to get changed, have a quick lunch, put the bike in the van and prepare my bag.

Quick ! quick ! quick !

11:55 A.M., I’m ready to go, sitting on the sofa in the common room. Skooter has joined me, he doesn’t want to be left alone at the backpackers and he knows I’m going with Joel and Diane so he seats on my lap and wait with me.

12:00 P.M., Diane has put her bag near mine and was going to get a quick snack when she was called to the reception. Joel is still down there explaining some last specifics of the day to Catherine who will manage the reception while we’re gone. We haven’t talked that much this last hour, concentrating on getting everything done so we could be ready on time.

Five past twelve, Diane is back sitting near Skoot and I, enjoying her snack.

Seven past twelve, Joel comes around, packing a few last things, going back down to secure some bikes at the back of his car.

Ten past twelve, we’re all in the common room now.

Joel is standing near the door with a broad smile on his face :

– On y va ?

He says so sounding like : “Hurry, hurry, I want to have fun and to share that fun with you guys !”, like a kid just so happy to go on some adventure trip.

Yes, sometimes it’s as simple as that, the most common French expression sounds like a bell of liberty, fun and adventure. Working is not so hard when you know you’re going to have fun soon after.

On y va ?

This expression enlightened lots of days at the backpackers.

Joel didn’t speak a lot of French and he didn’t like to do it except for those 3 words (and maybe for “Putain” once in a while).

Never “let’s go!”, always “on y va?”. Maybe that’s also what made it so special. As if Joel wanted to make sure the 2 French girls understood we were living, to make sure there would be no delay due to misunderstanding.

On y va ?

Right here, right now, it’s time to go girls !

On y va ?

I’ve heard it a bunch of times since I left Wanaka but it never sounded so good… never so enthusiastic, never so full of hope and good news.

Except maybe in Singapore when my 2 years old niece couldn’t wait to go to the play ground.

And still now, far from Joel and my niece, I can remember the power of those 3 little words.