It's summertime in France: the season when the pace of life slows to a crawl. Last year at this time we were in process of moving into our apartment, and all the busy tasks that go with moving prevented me from experiencing the summer down-time. But this summer, I'm getting the chance to fully appreciate the change of rhythm from frenzied to carefree.
Each morning, I wake whenever the sun beckons me to get up. No alarm clock necessary. I open all the windows wide to catch the pleasant cross-breeze, and sit out on our tiny balcony with a steaming oversized mug of coffee. From there, I watch the street below slowly come to life. Ladies unhurriedly walk their dogs. Children happily roll down the sidewalk on their scooters and bikes. The cafe manager across the street opens his shutters and puts out a few tables and chairs. Now that it's summertime, just a few cars trickle down the usually busy boulevard.
August -- vacation month -- is just around the corner, and I noticed today that several stores had already put up their "fermeture annuelle" notices. Soon, most of the shops that line our street will roll down their metal exterior shutters and roll up their awnings. The A7 to southern France will become a virtual parking lot as vacationers flee the city for the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, here in Lyon we'll have an abundance of parking spaces to choose from.
Whether you are stay-cationing (like us) or going away this year, bonnes vacances à tout le monde!
joyeuses fêtes à toi aussi
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