For a measly ten euros, one can attach his belt, pulley and life to a steel rope strung between trees and, in a moment of wanton disregard, swoop ("zipline") across Aix valleys and gorges to another tree outpost where disregard begins anew. All the Butlers, and Mal's Washington pal Danielle, zipped and yelled and enjoyed. Shane was the most intrepid of all, presenting to his parents one of those life moments when they realize their little sweetie is really one tough garcon (French for boy; English for Boy, son of Tarzan).
Ziplining
Zippin' and Swingin'
Mallory and her best friend, Danielle
Even Julie got into the "swing" of it!2. A parler en Francais est bon, mais a parler en Anglais avec amies est mieux.
Once a week or so, the Butlers actually communicate with Aixois in French. Okay, so the conversation usually involves requesting a croissant and coffee, but bridging the language barrier is nonetheless satisfying. But babbling with visiting English speaking friends is an unrestrained talkathon where we lurch wildly to tell, tell, tell, and ask, ask, ask. Pity poor visiting Memphians Melanie Taylor and Kathy Deyo who found themselves resolutely braced against the Butler verbal windstorm. They were at once wonderful guests and resident psychiatrists.Conversely, pity the bewildered Daudets (descendants of the French writer Alphonse Daudet, and relatives of our dear Memphis friend John Vookles) who were subjected to Syd's broken French when we visited them in St. Remy.
But in fairness, Syd and Julie were subjected to French language school where teachers spoke and dispensed homework (devoirs) at the speed of the TGV (the French high speed train). See the picture of Syd after his first class.
Melanie, Julie and Kathy at the Calanques
Melanie, Riley and Mallory
Visit with Madam Daudet's family in St. Remy
Syd post-French class3. Le fin d’amour et d’ete.
In New Orleans folks are fond of saying "laissez les bons temps roulez" which in French means "let the good times roll" and in New Orleans means "let's get drunk and fall down". With the start of cool weather and school in Aix, the good times may have rolled on by. Consider Shane's summer romance with the fair Lylia, a seductive older beauty (she is seven, Shane is five). With her braided locks and skin tight bathing suit, Lylia is a Bo Derek to be. Shane was making no headway against his competition, until he displayed his Disney comic book. Then for one brief and shining moment, the earth and the swimming pool moved for the star-crossed pair. Alas, what morn set a-sparkle, noon quick dried, and a lifelong romance was ended abruptly by school and the cold Mistral wind.
And summer evaporated as well, as tanned, backpack-laden etudiants shuffled back to schools and parents filled crowded parking lots. Mallory and Shane attend bilingual schools just down a country lane past an expansive field of courgettes (zucchini) and olive trees. Families from around the world leave their children and huddle in conversation with their new Dutch, German, Swedish, Belgian, Canadian, French, Norwegian and American neighbors. Carpools are arranged and homework complained about. Where are the al fresco lunches, the warm beaches, the lazy mornings? Sadly, romance and French mathematics just don't equate. Or as Woody Allen says, the lamb may lie down with the wolf, but the lamb won't get much sleep.
Shane's French fling
New French friends, Kae and Charlie4. Nous aurons toujours Paris.
Well if Bogey can say it to Ingrid in Casablanca, why can't I use it here? Sure the joys of summer are over, but we will always have memories of seafood platters, bathtubs filled with contented kids, family hugs on mountain trails, just roasted coffee, a sun-warmed pooch and the incalculable pleasure of sharing our French home with family and friends.
Provencial cuisine
Hiking in the Luberon Mountains
Heavening baths!
Riley and his girls
Syd and Julie in ParadouTranslation:
1 - The descendents of Tarzan are alive in Provence.
2 - To speak in French is good, but to speak in English with friends is better.
3 - The end of love and summer.
4 - We will always have Paris.
