End of First Week - Bliss

So, already a week in to the trip. Don't really know where the time has gone. Sleeping alot. Listening to music, and reading three books already. Cooking, exploring, shopping, the usual things.

D. had to return to the US for two days of important business meetings, so I was driving the Renault 6-speed manual for that time. It was quite enjoyable on the Autoroute and on the local roads to remember how to shift, down-shift and really focus on driving. When I drive an automatic, it is entirely different as I am less focused and my mind can wander more.

So on Wens. the dog and I got up early and ventured to the St. Remy market, arriving at 9a.m. and noticing not many people, some new vendors, but 95% of the same ones, in their same spots. The days here have been very hot, 90F, so early is definitely better, especially with the dog. Many people had the same ideas, and dogs of all shapes, sizes and varieties were out enjoying the day.

As always, I stocked up on spices and dried lavender for the year, examined the latest in Provence fashion, and walked the town. Most businesses have survived the Great Recession, a few new ones opened, a few have closed, and our favorite ice cream spot was renovated over the winter and is now much more swank. With S. one evening I found a new spot for wonderful local produce and products, mostly biologic (organic) and certainly where local St. Remy people shop. We have committed this year to trying more of the small stores, the butchers and cheese shops, that are struggling to survive against the supermarche' and Carrefore's of the area, just as at home these stores have disappeared. Who has a real butcher any more in their town? We feel fortunate to have a bakery near our house, however mediocre it can be at times.

Upon D's return, we traveled today to the market in Eygalieres to find our favorite olive oil, and to explore the town a little more. It is small but rather like the upper East Side of the area. Dogs and people out for a stroll. We sat in our favorite cafe, drank Perrier, and enjoyed the show of people as they walked and shopped. We watched one American family as the mother tried to negotiate the price of the best Olive Oil in the country La Fabresse, who has one the national medal for Olive Oil the last two years. Eating that oil on a piece of bread is a revelation. So to hear someone arguing over the price of the $12 bottle of oil seemed quite absurd. We will be back in that town on July 13 for the annual Fete' de Paella.

So we wandered and watched as the vendors made the paella for the day's lunch, and admired the nouget that we will never eat. It is white with nuts and chewy, and too sweet for us. But, as always with food here, it is a piece of art.

The afternoon was about quiet, sleeping and reading, as it should be.