Les fêtes

 French people love to celebrate – even if there’s nothing to celebrate. For instance, in 2023 here in Saumur there was an event they called Vélo Vintage. People dress up in 1920s vintage clothing and ride 1920s vintage bicycles (they weren’t real precise on the time period of the bicycles) and ride for like 25 kilometers finishing in downtown Saumur. Then they sit around drinking wine.

I personally am not riding 25 kilometers on a bicycle unless it has 21 speeds like my bike at home or 10 speeds and electric assist like Genviève.

Sunday, Claude took me to an event called “Fête d’Ifs à Varrains.” It’s basically a running race through the vineyards overlooking the Loire Valley. There were races of 29 kilometers, 18 kilometers, 9 kilometers and even a race for children.

Runners could dress in costume. I saw one woman dressed as a tortoise, complete with shell, and another dressed as a scarecrow, complete with a board across her shoulders and gloved hands on each end. I saw parents leading children as young as four or five “running” their race. Anyone who finishes their race (except the children) receives a free bottle of wine. There’s motivation right there.

And it was raining. A lot.

This did not seem to stop anyone, except Claude and I, who made for tents with tables and seating. At this point, I realized that we were not there for the thrill of victory.

Claude had mentioned this before, but I hadn’t put it all together until I saw him walk up with two trays of ten oysters each…and a bottle of white wine.

Claude, of course, bumped into a former high school classmate and his wife. Between Claude and Marie Odile, I am convinced that they know everyone in Saumur and the surrounding region.

I’ve never really cared for oysters; never saw the point. You can’t chew them to get more flavor. They don’t chew well. It’s a lot of work to get them out of the shell just to swallow them whole. But I did my part. Then I was sent after more wine.

Mind you, it is still 11:30 in the morning. As my American friends will tell you, I can handle some wine. But the French people make me look like a minor leaguer. And keep in mind that Claude and his friend are 80 years old.

Not sure if they are selling wine or
oysters or both.

All around the seating area were booths selling wine, but also other products of the region. I went to the indicated booth and ordered the appropriate wine. The gentleman there asked me if I would like to taste the wine. I accepted.

I suppose, from my accent he realized I was not a native speaker. So, handing me a glass, he said in really slow, stilted English, “Dry…white…wine.” I said in my best French (which is pretty good), “Thank you because that is exactly what I ordered.” He smiled as if we had both accomplished something.

When I returned to the table and told the story, Claude’s friend said I should get a marker and write on my forehead, “I speak French,” in French obviously.

I can’t wait for the next pointless festival!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blog post 1

Image
I’ve decided to do a blog of my month in Saumur, France, rather than a long series of Facebook posts. In that way, I can include my thoughts as well as tons of photos. I’ll try to give each section a heading. That way, one does not have to read every word. Although it has taken a bit to get reliable internet, then to find time to download my photos.  Departure I flew French Bee, a French discount airline recommended by my friend Isaiah. Without realizing it, I booked myself into their version of first class. When booking, they asked me if I wanted meals, I said yes. They asked me if I wanted wine, I said yes. They asked me if I wanted to choose my seat, I said yes. They recommended their Premsmart class, $719 round trip from Newark to Paris – a steal! Imagine my surprise when I found that I was in the first boarding group and was offered champagne! I just had to get myself from Indianapolis to Newark. I first chose Spirit. That was cool until they changed my destination from Newar...
Read more
Image
  Early days Things started slowly, which was fine. I was a bit jet lagged, which is unusual for me on arrival in France. Usually, after hitting the ground running, I sleep a long night and wake up in French time. Luckily, Marie Odile and Doris had made provisions for my breakfast including coffee, milk, brioche (in this case, sliced bread) and jam. I had a good breakfast. Claude brought his electric bicycle for me to use. When he lent it to me in the summer of 2023, it had represented freedom for me. I was no longer tied to the schedule of the bus system. Don’t get me wrong. The bus system (like in all of France) is incredibly efficient and very inexpensive. There’s a bus stop 10 yards from my front door. But having the bike was like having a car without the hassle of parking and fighting traffic. Bike lanes here are clearly marked, and unlike Madison, they actually lead to places you want to go. And cars respect your right to be on the road. Genviève in front of my house ...
Read more