My week in Maury was up and leaving was not an easy task. I loved my apartment and from the looks of things I had truly made myself at home. I had my few possessions strewn from room to room, one end to the other. The time had come to say goodbye to the wonderful people who had allowed me into their homes and lives. I had had plenty of time to investigate the Roussillon and made solid commitments to making wine here in 2011. A return in spring is on the books.
Next up: Languedoc.
Richard
Sarah (taken by Amy or Sasha)
Bob
Carrie
Liam
Tomás
dahdy and his girls
mummy and her girls
Last Night, Amy Is In Charge of the Camera
mummy and dahd, end of the day
A Final Quiet Moment....Again, Taken by Amy
Amy Goes Camera Crazy
The Offending Package of Dental Floss
Flip Side
6,50 Euros!!
Well, there they are. Three pictures that might say it all, or nothing. The first is a photo of a package of dental floss. Yep, dental floss. I ran out…simple answer, buy more. It wasn’t that long ago that I spent hours in the grocery store looking for something that was NOT food. Truly, it took me a couple of hours of scouring every item on every shelf to remember that I was NOT going to find a pharmaceutical item on a grocery shelf. So, this time I was prepared. Naturally, this many years later some pharmaceutical items are sold in a wide variety of grocery stores. But, none the less, I stuck to the old standards and entered a Pharmacy for some items. In addition to floss I needed a pain killer to arrest this nasty left leg that has not stopped throbbing for over 40 years. I first asked for aspirin as it is a word I know in French. And indeed, quelle surprise, I was handed aspirin. But I quickly realized that I wanted ibuprofen. And with little ado I received what I wanted as the words are the same. And then the floss…it too was reasonably simple as I know how to discuss “teeth” and again, floss is the same word.
The first picture: confirmation that the article in question is a package of dental floss
The second picture: the back side of the same package
The third picture: confirmation that I paid 6,50 € for 55m of dental floss
YES, you read that right. ALMOST $9.00 for dental floss.
Now, let’s put this into perspective. I can buy two bottles of rosé @ 1,50 € and still have 3,50 € left over for a killer bottle of red wine. Not to mention the abundant amount of fruits and vegetables that are available for that money (meat is much more expensive).
I love to reevaluate priorities.
My actual life is getting a bit ahead of my posts which naturally has both good and not so good aspects to telling a story. Because of this I am often talking about what went on a day or so ago. My greatest regret/irritation in the retelling is what I have missed to capture in a meaningful way. I am speaking here about photos and the use of the camera. As I have protested more than once in this still short-lived, burgeoning continued search for absolute fullness and completion (ooppps, is that something like death?), I have never used a camera to document my existence so it is not a natural. I am even less inclined to take photographs of people living their lives. It seems intrusive. I have always felt that way and suppose organically I always will. But, what the hey? The whole world is on someone’s iphone, so why can’t I enjoy the same exposition of such?
AH, but I am. I am just starting to have some fun with the camera. People may come next, who knows? And just as I have had a good round with myself about not being comfortable with the camera and its use, I wonder if not using the written word to convey the story does not have more meaning. If a story must be told quickly then a photo seems like the correct medium (video works here as well, any visual media), but if one wants to enjoy the luxury of dramatic story telling using words to create for the reader a ‘scene’ that then becomes ones’ own…..?????
So, is one art, the other pop?
One literature, the other gossip?
None of this matters to six year old Amy and four year old Sasha who love the camera:
Toes and Toys
Mom and Sasha
Carrie Hams for the Camera (cellar rat by day/gourmet cook at night)
Et Moi
My host Dominique lives in the most interesting “house”. I use the quotation marks as it is in fact three houses wrapped around a courtyard. Over time she has purchased the three, knocked out walls, redone all of those things that need to be modernized and maintained the beautiful old world charm of the 16th century buildings (yes, 16th!!). I was one part blown away and one part humbled as I mounted my four flights of stairs each night knowing that for over 400 years human life has traversed the same stone steps. There are many different directions that one can go in France with a remodel including outrageously modern (lots of steel and glass) or sticking more strictly to the old world look. Dominique has done a combination of the two and then added her eclectic taste in art, furnishings, etc. Trés cool is the best way to describe this memorable home.
The Kitchen
More Kitchen
The Living Room
The Courtyard
Cool Art
More Cool Art
My Incredible Bathroom
