Je vous embrasse sur les deux joues

C'est le mois de mai trés joyeux.....

It's the very merry month of May......and I'm loving it!    I even bought little bundles of Lily of the Valley to gift to a couple of friends.  Alas, I ended up sick and unable to deliver them.  But the point is, Sue explained, that it's a tradition here.  Giving out little bouquets of Lily of the Valley on May Day.  Sweet! 
(beats having a parade to show off your missles)

Yesterday, it seemed like all of Morbihan turned out for the Josselin market day.  Morbihan is the name of the "county".   The population of Josselin is only about 2,500 and it seemed like many more than that were here.  The lines were long so I didn't get any cheese.  
Everything was tempting and I confess I gave in on a scarf and some croissants.  

It was such a beautiful day, people were in shirtsleeves and sandals.   I was starting to worry that everyone would be wearing black all summer.  And boots.   But with the arrival of the warm sunshine came the pastels and prints and cotton.  There was almost a carnival atmosphere.  

Later I bought myself lunch at the cafe.  Loved just people watching and soaking it all in.   Usually I would see Lucille or Frank or Angela or others at the cafe.  Seems everyone stops in for a coffee or beer.  But Lucille has gone off to Corsica for a month!  I did see Fiona and her husband ( whose name I forget....forgive me)  from my French class.   I bumped into Sue.  She was on her way to a committee meeting.   So, sipping my cool beverage, listening to the French pop music in the background and watching the action on the square was just the best finish to Saturday market.  
Earlier in the week (at the cafe) I met Lucille's friend William, who is an artist and is struggling to get his gallery up and going.  Another friend, Tim is also an artist.  So I have bumped into the Bohemian crowd here.   Now I am looking forward to seeing their work.  Almost every week there's an exhibit going on in the little Chapel by the gate.  

Last Saturday night, I went with Lucille to the cinema.  We saw a film called "Le Noir (Te) Vous Va Si Bien"    You can't really translate it literally.  But it means..."black suits you"    A very haunting downer of a movie.   But well done.  It's about so-called "honor" killing in the Muslim community.  One of the stars of the movie ( Lounes Taziart) was there at the theatre and when the film ended he gave a little talk on the subject.  All in French of course.  But I could make out words such as:  tradition;  religion; effective; exceptional; and others.  These words are the same in French, but pronounced with a very strong French accent.  like: "trad-ees-ee-own"   After his talk, there was a question/answer period which lasted another hour.   Lucille asked 2 questions and I have no idea what she said.   She comes from a cinematic family.  I just wanted to come home as I hadn't eaten and I was famished.   My stomach was speaking its own French!

The next day was the Flower Festival at the Chateau.   That was my first time on the grounds!  It was so beautiful.  Mobbed, but very quiet.  I was amazed at all the vendors with booths set up.  Flowers, herbs and various plants for sale. 

The countess spoke.  Something about a Historic Buildings Festival to come later.  I bought some hostas for my flower boxes that get no sun.  Another great day.
I wasn't feeling all that great that evening and by Wednesday I was awful.  Went to the doctor who wrote a prescription for an antibiotic as I had a bad bronchitis.  So it's been a bit of a lost week with me moping around coughing and napping.  
I think that's why I enjoyed Yesterday's market day so much.  Finally up and out again!

Today, while drinking my coffee on the couch, next to the open window....I heard the clop clop of hooves again.  Now and then a horse does come (with rider) clopping down my street.  But today it was a big carriage with 2 horses and a driver!!  I didn't have my camera handy of course.   It was just such a moment!! 
Oh, another big thing happened last week!  The shoe store opened right next door!!  I ran right in and bought a pair.  Yes I did.   But now I'm sworn off.  Cross my heart!! 

Earlier today the doorbell rang and when I answered the door, a lady was there who said her name was Barbara.  She introduced herself and said Frank had told her about me.  (Frank, a friend of Lucille's and now mine.  Everybody in town knows Frank)   So, we're meeting for coffee tomorrow at the cafe.  Wow, another new friend!!   

Oh, I fear I may have jinxed the flower lady.  Skippy and I haven't been by there a lot in the last week or so, but the times we did go that way there were no bouquets on the ledge.   I told myself they went off on a romantic holiday....or something.   But one day I did see HER!  She came out the door and went to her car in the car park across the street.  I was just standing there with Skip.  She got something out of her little Fiat (which I have been admiring for weeks) and smiled at me with a little nod and went back inside her house.  I said "bonjour".   I thought about asking her.......but how would I manage to intrude on her so.   Anyway, she looked perfectly happy so I'm not going to look for the flowers anymore.     I spoke to her because she made eye contact and smiled.  That's a rule here.

Just walking around, if you make eye contact you are bound to say "bonjour".  Both of you. 

 But if you avoid eye contact (pretending something caught your eye in the store window) you needn't say anything.   In late afternoon you say "bonsoir" .  Same rule applies.  If it happens to be someone you know, you are required (like in the States) to say hello of course.  Here you also say "ça va?"  and answer "ça va".  (but the ç has to have the little squiggle on the bottom) (meaning "are you ok?"  "yes, I'm good") And of course the MOST important thing here is you ALSO must kiss both cheeks of the person you know!!  To refrain is something of a slight.  If you are meeting someone for the very first time, a handshake is fine.  And to say, "enchante".  Why the other day, Skippy and I walked past a little boy about 10years old walking his dog, and HE said "bonjour" to me!!  I mean, he looked me squarely in the face, smiled and said "bonjour" as if doing so gave him great pleasure.  I must say I was almost startled.  And then charmed.  French children are known for their exceptional courtesy and good manners.   At a dinner I saw a young boy get up and greet a woman with a kiss on both cheeks.  On his own.  I was amazed.  It's a warm and beautiful part of the culture.    But of course, maybe his mom had reminded him that when Aunt Mary arrives don't forget to give her your greeting.  That could be.  Still, he did it.  Lovely.

Well, tomorrow, coffee with Barbara across from the Basilica.  Tuesday to the garden center with Sue.
So, till we meet again, "Bonsoir mon amis! auRevoir!"