Oh, The places European Airlines Take You:
While in the Canary Islands we knew we had 2 weeks to pick a location to experience, before our next sit in South Africa. Hanging out in Spain for two weeks was on the radar, but we weren't feeling it. Sunning ourselves, with limited internet made it challenging, but we did find a very desirable sit that fit our timeframe and Easyjet flew there.
I begged an Asian takeaway to use their internet so I could FaceTime the homeowners, to see if we were a match. Then poof like that we were in Bordeaux, France at the train station headed South to the French Countryside.
Train stations are often where we find ourselves in Europe, it is just part of the culture. We always enjoy searching for the best way to travel to the next destination. Flights are usually more economical but trains are way more fun and kickback. All of Europe's easy access to public transit is a Pack Mule dream. Perfect for two Gypsies looking to buzz around.
The Bordeaux Station was especially beautiful, clean, and just a great vibe.
While settling into our cozy country sit, we walked in the quiet French countryside looking at the wine vineyards slowly turning to red and yellows. I am smiling today because I realized why our current travel is so joyful. We are here simply to soak in what is in front of us.
We aren't scoping out the next place to live, looking at property, or really having to do anything, well except feed the pets. I recently realized that we are traveling simply to experience daily life in places foreign to us. Extended travel allows us to just live, not running or having to tour things to see if this is the next 'it' place.
When you think about the South of France you may think of Ingrid Michelson's song You and I. "Let's get rich and buy our parent's homes in the south of France," You also might think about Wine. Yes, it is all about Vineyards and they are absolutely beautiful in the fall even tho the grapes have been long harvested.
I made some pretty awesome fall puree soups. The local farmer’s market and grocery stores have delicious, local, and reasonable produce and our host kitchen is fully stocked with many arsenals to do some real damage.
Rural Duras, Wine Country Rambling Observations. The medieval villages that just popped up on our walks were more than just charming, they were like going back in time. There was no traffic and not a lot happening, just a lot of old stone houses with wooden shutters that clasp up tight at night. The night sky was so dark, perfect for star gazing and seeing the milky way. People in the villages are not super engaging but pleasant enough.
Our sit outside of Durras, had so many roads to walk and explore. There was absolutely no traffic, it was a walker's dream. There were tons of churches from the 1700s that popped up out of nowhere on the walks.
Plum Village, Founder Thich Nhat Hanh
It was a pure coincidence? Maybe? We have been reading and admiring the work of peace global spiritual leader and zen master Thich Nhat Hanh for the past few years. After a few clues, I realized his founding global teaching community center was 3 miles from our housesit. This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.
Thich was a humble Buddhist monk all about peace and nonviolence. Only recently passing this past January. He pioneered bringing mindfulness practice to the West.
I won't engage you in all the hippy zen details, but I will let you know it was a day of reflection, learning, and gratitude. Thich's teachings are all about the art of mindful living, enjoying now, being present, and enjoying whatever activity you are doing at the time. My retreat day at Plum Village was a rejuvenating, engaging spirit lifter. Certainly, the best thing I can take with me from my experience in France.
Four-Legged 'Franglish' Critters
This was a house sit with a lot of 4-legged family members to care for. It was a brain teaser to get the names down, but after a week we could name all the pets. (Well, mostly) That is 56 legs trampling around. Luckily, with the Pack Mule team effort, it wasn't as difficult and we found it extremely therapeutic.
Pups-Queen Ruby, and Logan
2 House Cats- Sherlock and Cleo
4-Outdoor Cats-Pigs, Marvin, Flamey, and Jax
8-Sheep-Hermanie, Annie, Maize, Frankie, Eevie, Gertrude, Gatey, and ahh....we can't think of the last one
The homeowners are not French, but British. They have lived in the French countryside for over 15 years and travel back and forth frequently. A continuous work-in project is their 200-plus-year-old Farm Home which we felt immense comfort in for our 9-day stay. The kind and calmness of the family and the pets personalities match perfectly.
We did a lot of food prep while we were here. Homemade pizza, soups, and Buddha bowls filled with delicious local veggies were some of our favs. Oh, and CHEESE don't forget the the soft French cheese.
We had a wine and cheese pairing dinner given by our sweet hosts. We learned so much about the soft cheeses of France and the wine talk (that everyone thinks they know best about).
It was amazing to learn how inexpensive wine was, produced right from the mother's tit.
All I can say is everyone who participated in the evening of wine had super red teeth. I for one had my dairy fill for a couple of months. It was a super evening filled with belly laughs and the Brits speaking Franglish. They were both very fluent in French and we learned so much.
What is it about a Saturday morning Farmer's Market that is so familiar?
Other than consumables, we don't purchase things when we travel. The two 10-kilo backpacks we travel with don't allow for much stuff. Somehow, no matter what country we are in, we manage to end up at a Saturday Farmer's Market. It just feels familiar. The Sainte Foy Weekly Market takes over the main square around the Arcades and surrounding streets.
This very funny French vendor entertained us and has some badass olive tapenade. We purchased 2 varieties and ate them all week long on just about everything we could. It was a fantastic excuse to eat bread and cheese each and every day.
With zero Euro in hand, we found a cash machine that spit Euro out at us without a lick of English......poof 100 euro 'Merci'.
It is quite remarkable how easy obtaining currency while travel is beginning to become.
Brett's market lunch was Seafood Paella, saffron rice, chicken thighs, shrimp, mussels, and sausage--all for 8.50 euros. The locals flocked here, so we knew it was the place to be.
The market was dotted in the area with several local shops which were also open on Saturday mornings. The town of Sainte Foy is still very unspoiled and local. This particular market ranked as one of the best in France. We were happy to have the chance to experience it.
City Tourist Stop: Bordeaux
We were going to skip the city tour of Bordeaux, but I was chatting online with my dear childhood friend Matt who said he is longing to visit this French city, so we figured we better hit it while we were there. So happy we did......thanks, Matty!
The sculpted faces between the first floor and the doors are called macaroons. There are more than 3000 decorating buildings and monuments in Bordeaux.
The Best Apple Fritter donut ever. So yummy. Sometimes a croissant just doesn't cut it.
Yes, another Saturday and another Farmer's Market. This time we found some French bar soap, our favorite consumable thing to buy locally and travel with.
So, are French people really snotty? I can say the folks we encountered were great to help navigate our experience with kindness. French people are not into making small talk and are ok with silence. This may come off as snotty or rude, but it is their culture. You can't really say with total honesty say that you fall in love with French hospitality.
We used super basic French greetings and words which go a long way as an English speaker in France. One local French woman took a certain liking to us as we sat in a city square. She opened up with a long conversation in French. After a confused look she proceeded in English and said "What, you don't speak French" She may have possibly been high, drunk, or just really very weird. Either way, it was a fun encounter. She ended the conversation with "just keep being your cool, calm self"
I found this fantastic blog on French Stereotypes very thoughtful. We truly believe that you are the only one who will create your reality, so your preconceived ideas about a place or people are truly what your experience will be.
This was our 3rd trip to France. All three very unique. The north of France Normandy Coast, Paris, and this Southern experience our third. Who ever knew we would be repeat visitors? We certainly didn't. Sometimes you just let the travel gods lead you without contemplation.
The leaves are starting to fall we had to start a fire the last night in the farmhouse so it is time to move south again. Letting the Euro budget airlines direct us, we were seriously fortunate to FINALLY get to an Island Nation we have wanted to visit for years. Malta, baby! The happy Medeteranian will find us for the next 8 days.
Merci France, nous espérons revenir
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