Road-trips and camping both require stories told in close proximity, so cozy up and let's begin (warning, this is almost 'Scheherazade' long but will hopefully be better than my botched scary campfire story)...
Our adventure starts in the north of Paris, during the early afternoon, when 4 students (the other 5 would be embarking at a later hour) pile into a car (with a manual transmission, that is a necessary note) and navigate towards the Normadie/Bretagne region of the Northwest of France (following an accidental detour to the south of the city). Finally leaving the ile-de-France where Paris is located, they were among the pastures and tree lined streets of the campagne, and after many kilometers (we are in France, they don't do miles) they happened upon a Medieval village, which of course meant they HAD to stop to climb over the ruins of an old castle. After some fun poses among the stones, it was back to the highway and some sing a long to classics like Lion King and Springsteen, before realizing that the chips were in the trunk! Another stop, this time in literally the middle of nowhere, with nothing but green pastures all around, which required some dancing in the fields, then again into the car, with all the food strategically in the backseat. About an hour later, hunger struck (despite snacking), so they stopped for dinner and necessities, enjoying the sunset as they arrived ever closer to their destination.
playing on the ruins in the medieval village as well as the ruins and the pretty fields we drove through(our car is easily distracted by shiny things, cows, and anything that boasts being old)
...But wait, what is that?! Over there, no Lisa, you watch the road, Arthur stop telling her to look. Yeah, over there, lit up over the sea. OH my heavens, its St. Michel, and at night! Ok, sorry guys, we have to detour again, look for road signs on how to get there...
Despite the late hour, our weary travelers bundled up and explored the old cloister as the last bit of light left the sky. Finally, after some advice from several semi-inebriated bar patrons and a 'petit' hour later, the travelers arrived at their campground to discover it CLOSED. No fear, we shall drive to the back, set up camp and work out the details at first light! With a little help from a fellow night owl/good Samaritan with a flashlight, tents were pitched and the tired journey-takers awaited the arrival of their comrades (despite setting out on their journey almost 6 hours later, they arrived only an hour after group #1...group #1 has A.D.D.) Then it was whiling away the hours on the sandy beach before crawling into sleeping bags 12 hours after starting their journey.
our tents, pretty good for setting them up at midnight.
After an early discussion with the camp owner, a very understanding and kind man, the small group of 'morning people' set off on a journey, stepping around a few 'interdit' signs (citing the logic that if there is 2 they cancel out) to explore the hiking trail that hugged the french North coast. Following a coffee in the hotel/spa they stumbled upon it was time to head back to camp for breakfast with the later risers. After a hearty breakfast of breads, cheeses and honey, our students took to the beach for a morning swim (yes it was freezing, but the showers after were that much warmer). Then it was into the cars and off to explore the area around St. Malo and St. Michel during a brighter hour.
...do you SMELL that? Oh where is it, I have to eat it. Can we split one? I can't pick! Maybe if we each buy one, we could try that apple one too? ...
Stuffed from crepes and other regional delights, and after traipsing through the cobbled streets and old shops in St. Malo they were on the road to St. Michel again. Only the first car would be stopping here while those, during previous adventures had already made the journey up the many steps to the cloister on a hill gathered provisions for the campfire that night. Upon arrival among the much busier streets (a marked change from the lone cats who were the sole creatures roaming the small walkways the night before) our travellers climbed the steps up a narrow walkway to see a man with a smile and key who led them through some locked doors and secret ways to usher them into the church for FREE, strange yes, but one does not question gifts. A magical day that quickly changed. While they explored the old church, a chill wind began to stir the air and then a thunderstorm let forth rain and lightning in furious claps of thunder. Our adventure seekers scrambled down several flights of stairs, running like rivers with rain water and into a small cafe, hoping to wait out the storm before the drive back to camp.
...guys, I just want to say, if we fall and die (while running through the rain), that I love you all and you've made this year amazing, should we count down? group hug?...
break on the St. Malo wall; St. Michel cloister from the inside
In another moment of magic that evening, all 9 of our campers made it into a 3 person tent to share a meal before enjoying the sunset over the water...then climbing over hills to reach a small bay and create fire away from the watchful eyes of the camp ranger, another task that took much skill and team work. After botching a few campfire stories, but successfully roasting some marshmallows and creating s'mores, some of our internationals for the first time in their lives, it was a cozy night around the dimming flames and a walk through the woods with but 2 small flashlights. All arrived safely into their beds for a last night in the camp, falling asleep to the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore.
...bonne nuit, beuno noches, g'nite...
sunset and group
After a much later 2nd morning and a leisurely breakfast (due in part to a rampant wanting to stay near the sea air, the campers rapidly took down tents and stuffed backpacks into trunks as the rain began to fall. Slightly damp, our adventure seekers headed north, through heavy storms, to see the D day beaches of Normandy. Following a quick picnic on Omaha beach they wandered through the over 9,000 grave markers of the "sons who gave their lives in the landing on Normandy beaches and in the liberation of Northern France...their graves, the permanent and visible symbol of their heroic devotion and their sacrifice in the common cause of humanity" being reminded to "think not only upon their passing, remember the glory of their spirit" before watching a somber wreath laying by a British battalion. It was an incredible place, full of subtle strength and deep respect.
old army vehicle and American cemetery
It had come time to bid a short adieu to Normandy and begin the long journey back to Paris...but despite the tristesse over leaving the fun times, our campers made due with dance parties in traffic (to the somewhat great annoyance of neighboring cars) and a rousing game of 'out of country license plate', and arrived back home to Paris safe and sound, if a little weary and sandy.
...ooohhhh the Arc is gorgeous, can we go around the roundabout again? no, I'm trying to not kill us or that idiot in the audi that cut me off again. The Louvre! Guys I live around here. I am not dropping you off at your apartment. BELGIUM that is worth 2! You have to say it in the language of origin or it doesn't count. Way to use the horn, very Parisian...
Our view upon reaching Paris, Arc de Triomphe and car #1 at the end of a LONG journey
much love to my amazing car! Tamas for excellent navigating (and speed watching), Arthur for ceaseless energy and solidarity in no-sleep, Maria's dance moves and tireless energy in exploring new sites. Thanks to group #2 for understanding why we had to set up in the dark, buying supplies and the fun, if dizzying circle races around roundabouts! Finally thanks to my mama for praying for safety for our weekend, we all made it home in one piece!
plein de bisous, xxoo
On dit pas adieu, on dit au revoir...
