The man my father's age who runs a small cafe called "La Plage" across from the beach in Cannes deserves all of your love. After my credit card didn't work for K's birthday dinner, he said, "No worries. Go back to your hotel and get the money. I trust you."
Upon our return, he gave us two free drinks and talked with us. The sun and sand have obviously made him into what the French call a "bon vivant" - someone who lives life to the fullest and smiles easily. He runs a small cafe with his wife and children, and calls all his customers by their first name. Throughout the evening, young friends of his son's would drive up, blasting music, and the dad would start dancing and joking with the boys from within the restaurant. A real bon vivant.
The next day after the credit card incident we came back to get an Orangina (the best drink on the beach - it's just bubbly orange juice but it is GOOD) and he remembered us, calling us by what quickly became our nicknames: West Coast and Detroit.
"What's up West Coast?"
"Hey there, Detroit."
And after meeting several Canois that are just the most friendly and open people in France, the vacation was pretty much perfect. We made the most of our small piece of sand from which we watched the volleyball players play in their endless tournaments. We eventually came to know all the players' names and positions. After a few hours of sun, we would wander over to a cool, shaded caf� where we would grab a refreshing drink and talk with the owner. Dogs and kids and people playing and laughing and swimming.
Not surprisingly, we quickly got on a great schedule to maximize our time on the beach. Up at 8 am, in bed around midnight - no time for wild parties or crazy discotheques, not that that is exactly my thing anyway. Still, we vacationed surprisingly like old people.
Yep, this vacation was all about sitting back on the beach with a warm bottle of water and a deck of cards, watching the little kids playing in the sand and the big ones playing on the volleyball court. After three days, we had nicknames for the ten or fifteen people we saw on the same piece of sand everyday: HotBod, HoBag, Yellow Shorts Guy, British Boy, Real Estate Man, Crazy Marc, Tao, ShyBoy...Oh, I will miss you all.
All in all, a wonderful, relaxing, mellow vacation only a few steps away from heaven. K and I were both thrilled to be out on the road with one another, and every city we came upon we navigated our way through using only our combined powerful sense of intuition.
No drunken tales to tell, unfortunately. Or maybe it was better that way: it just wasn't that kind of vacation. We did, however, taste a wonderful, fabulous ros� called somethingoranother de Lauzane, which I recommend to everyone.
I have to say a hello to Colleen for traipsing around Aix with us, helping me with logistical issues, taking us to some wonderful restauarants, lodging us and putting up with our incessant chatter right before finals. You are a kick ass, hilarious, smart, together chick and I can't wait to see you in a few weeks. Good luck with everything, babe.
All in all, a successful vacation and a moderatly successful return. I just feel good. I'm tan, slightly blond. My left arm is just a bit burnt from the hour's worth of traffic we were stuck in in Lyon, but I'm not complaining. Considering the German lobsters we saw on the beach in Cannes, I'm looking a healthy summer tan.
I never knew there were so many Germans in Cannes. And that their skin was so sensitive.
Anyway, I recommend Aix-en-Provence and Cannes to everyone. Beautiful places filled with open, friendly people. I don't have pictures but believe me, it's just gorgeous in both cities. No pics of me on the beach, either. You'll just have to hold your breath for those.
Sounds like you had a lovely trip! I'd like to visit the places you went to as well. And I love Orangina!
Great trip; great report. But be more careful how you begin your entries.