With a title like Vamos A La Playa, you lovely HC readers might think that I’ve left my job at La Mazure in rainy northern France and decided to spend the rest of the summer sipping margaritas and working on my tan in Spain. Sadly, that is not the case. I’m still in rather dreary but beautiful Normandie, but today myself, the other 9 counselors and exactly 45 (we’re always counting) French children boarded a bus to a beach in Granville and spent the day chasing waves and searching for shells.
The only reason Vamos A La Playa made it into this post at all is that the children here are inexplicably obsessed with that cheesy song, and all of the counselors now constantly hum, sing or whistle it to themselves throughout the day. Going a moment without hearing it or having it replay in your head is a challenge and a blessing. Two of the counselors recently made an equally cheesy but wonderful dance to go along with the song that they taught the campers. Of course, they all loved it.
Beach day number two was excellent. It wasn’t the warmest or sunniest day I’ve ever spent at the beach, and keep in mind that I’m from Maine, but it was surprisingly calming despite having to chase around a group of French kidlets through the small town to find candy and postcards.
At one point I escaped to a patisserie and found salambo chantilly fraise, the most delicious dessert I have ever tasted. It’s two pastries with a rich cream in the middle and sugary strawberries. I’m trying not to drool as I type, it’s that good. For a euro and 80 cents I had to buy two, and in broken French joked with the owner about my newfound obsession.
There are only two and a half days left of session three, not that I’m counting. After that we will have one full day and two nights to recuperate and recharge before welcoming the fourth and final (for my time here, anyway) group of campers. I’ll be staying at La Mazure, which is less tragic than I’d originally thought. I’ve grown attached to this place and the people here, so if anything moving at this point would feel strange. I’m happy here despite consistent rainfall and its remoteness from the outside world.
A few days ago I had a day off and attempted my first foray into hitchhiking. I had a guy friend with me so it wasn’t nearly as scary as it would have been alone, and it was very successful. He speaks much better French than I do so he was able to make conversation with the two people who brought us part of the way to and from civilization, a small grocery store and outdoor restaurant where we sipped Cokes and enjoyed temporary kid-free time.
Tomorrow it’s back to the normal schedule and soon enough, I’ll be bidding au revoir to yet another group of teary-eyed young campers. It seems so surreal that so much time has passed and in just over two weeks I’ll be touching Maine soil again, just in time to turn 22 and start my final undergrad school year.
I’m being wistful which means I’m tired, so until next week, Clementine.
As usual, Kay Away is there for your travel-related photo, musing and quote needs.