Table d’hôte

On Tuesdays, the market invades Vaison. The smell of fresh fruit, cooking food and baked bread fill the nostrils and keep you walking around.  Other scents also invade the senses, as there are soap merchants and spice/herb sellers as well.  I don’t get much pleasure from these scents, though, as I’m allergic to much of them.  Despite that, I did purchase a bar of framboise (raspberry) scented soap from a shop.

It would be insanely easy to spend hours in the market; it’s huge.  Everywhere you look; there are clothes or shoes, food or any number of other things being sold. It was a bit overwhelming, but I love to look at things.  While wandering, I came across a place where people had puppies (I supposed they were selling them). I didn’t take a picture of the dogs, but I wanted to take the tiny, eager things home with me.  I spent an hour and a half in the market, which doesn’t seem like much, but I’ll go again next week.

The way to Vaison seems to be uphill both ways at least that was how I felt while riding my bike. The roads here have bike lanes at the side of most of the road. I’m told cars still drive in them, so of course it is always important to be an aware biker. However, the presence of the lanes alone makes it safer than trying to ride your bike in the street back at home.  I made it to Vaison and back and look forward to seeing where else I can go on my bike.

On Monday, I walked to the old village of Crestet. I seem to be only spending a short amount of time in places so far, but I enjoy my exploring.  Crestet is a medieval town that people still inhabit.  There are small car parks because, mostly, the residents can’t drive their cars into town.  Go up the winding cobblestones and reach the top to find a panoramic view of the surrounding area with an illustration that details which of the mountains in the distance are which.

Yesterday, I discovered the pool. I’d known it was there the whole time, of course, but hadn’t ventured in yet. When I arrived, there was nobody else there. However, others followed shortly. In particular, I was greeted by JoAnne, and we talked while wading through the water.  As a French teacher, she’s been to France many times over the years and has taken student groups as well. It was nice to hear that she likes to come in order to stay current on what it’s like in France.  Things change so much in places over the years; staying current is important.

I’m being careful to remember sunscreen, but the sun still warms my skin. Who knows? Maybe I might actually be tan when I come back. (That’d be something, eh?)

Both Tuesday and Wednesday consisted of a great amount of cooking for the table d’hôte. Guests sign up for the table d’hôte just after arriving, and if there are enough people interested, a very large meal is cooked. Twenty-one people gathered last night, and everyone sits around one big table. Fantastic.

I love to cook, and there was so much to do.  I helped peel mushrooms, apples and potatoes. On Tuesday, I tried to help with the onions, but I only managed to get a few. They were too strong; my eyes stung and watered to the point that I thought I might cut off my finger. My favourite thing to make (and they were sooo good) were the chocolate covered cherries.  I’ve never liked cherries very much in my life, but the one’s I’ve eaten here are delicious (especially when covered in chocolate!). Cooking for twenty-one people is a big job, but it got done, and we set the table.

Once again I’ve experienced good food and good company. An amazing four course meal:

1^st: Soup

                Tomato Gazpacho with basil and cheese. (Soo Good!)

2^nd: Main Dish

                Beef cooked with onion, carrot, wine, olives among other things

                Potatoes sliced thinly with cream and nutmeg

                Veggies—peas, mushrooms etc.

3^rd:  Cheese

4^th: Dessert

                Raspberry-Apple Crumble

                Chocolate covered Cherries

                Vanilla Ice Cream

Of course there was also plenty of wine.

The whole night was so much fun. I sat next across from JoAnne and next to her husband. She’s lots of fun to talk to and very nice.  It also helps that she’s from the States, and as such, speaks English. I’ll miss her when they leave on Saturday. It makes me a little bit sad that people come and only stay for a week at a time.