A small miracle

Reluctantly, we packed our bags to leave Menerbes. This beautiful, quiet, tranquil place is so restful. But alas, we are off to Aix en Provence to see the market and try to find the house where I lived with a family for three weeks in 1993.

We weren’t sure if Francois and Maria would have breakfast today because we were leaving or if it would be 9 am again because that is what we requested yesterday. So we had our bags by the gate unsure of whether to leave or go on the open door. In the end, they came out and yes we had breakfast.

We clattered down the hill to the car with our bags on the cobblestone street. The route had us winding down the mountains through cedar forests to the Provençal delta, I guess you could say. But then when we approached Aix, we were definitely going downhill again. I was having a bit of Déjà vu, but told myself it’s impossible that we passed the house.

Parking in the underground garage was super stressful and I was glad I had Amy to help me position the car. It took a few tries and still wasn’t great, but I was within the lines. There was a constant stream of cars behind us too, which added to the stress of getting it right quickly.

Alors! We found the market but it wasn’t the food market as I thought on Wednesday, it was a flea market. Many cool things, but I didn’t buy anything. I also went into the Monoprix. That was our go to when I was in France in the 1983 as it was their version of art. I’d say now it’s more like a Target—more upscale. And we walked the famous Cours Mirabeau, which looks very different during the winter.

Of course, no we were hungry. We took a chance on a place purely on their menu. The waiter was awesome. He reminded me of some Italian waiters I’ve had in NYC, but he was definitely French and loved his job. High energy and on top of everything.

I had fish of the day in light basil cream sauce and yogurt and fruit for dessert. Magnifique! Then we did some power shopping. Amy for a pair of shoes and I got a cool sweater wrap. The saleswoman was so helpful. I told her she was very sweet in French and she seemed very pleased. This was service like you used to get on the US at nicer department stores.

It was time to get along the highway to our next AirBNB in La Camargue, but first I put in google the address for the house. The address was somewhat vague, but Google Maps had a plan. Damn it we didn’t turn in about where I was having Déjà vu on the way into town. There was a lot of new construction going on which was throwing me off and none of the houses had the correct number.

Hmmm. I was looking around pondering when I saw a couple coming down the street. I asked them in French if they had lives there very long. They had. I said I was searching for a house where o stayed in 1983, and I grabbed the sheet of paper with the address from the car.

They said yes,they knew Le Véneries; it was the house on the cul de sac with the open gate. Voila. I walked down there and the name of the house was on the gate post. I couldn’t believe we actually found it. I was crying again. :)

As we drove out of the neighborhood, we went under the aqueduct, and I remembered we walked under that every morning, turned right and walked down the hill into town. According to my journal, most afternoons we took the bus back up the hill and our regular driver liked to practice his English with us.

Wow. Just wow. I can’t believe we found it!

Ah bon, we stopped to get gas and for some reason my card would. It take at all. Fortunately, we weren’t desperate for gas, so we got on the highway. It wasn’t long before there was a rest area. Funny how they are the same no matter what country you are in. I got a coffee from the wall of machines by the toilets and Amy got a capri sun like a an 8 year old.

We arrived in La Camargue before dark which’s is always a bonus. Our host, Brigitte met us and showed us the space. She had a nice fire going, so it was quite toasty. That was nice because it was cool and windy.

She told us where the nearest grocery was because again no restaurants were open I guess I turned on my puppy dog eyes because she took pity on us cooked us dinner and brought us a bottle of wine! It was a light curry and it was awesome.

She also helped us get horseback riding arranged to the following day. The day’s mission was more than complete. I put some logs on the fire and went to bed.