the truth

Sometimes things don't work out.

You wish and hope and pray they do, but it wasn't meant to be.

capbreton (la ville)

When we weren't at the beach, the town itself was also very fun to be in. The city center was very close to our house so it was easy to walk over for some fresh baguettes or ice cream whenever we wanted. One thing that I found most surprising was the abundance of flowers (and flowerboxes) all over the city. Along the bridge, by the fountains, in front of stores. Everywhere! It reminded me how easily a few fresh flowers can brighten up your day.

le 14 juillet

For the past three 4th of July's, I've been abroad in Europe (Greece then Italy and now France). I've always been a little sad about it because I miss the fireworks and the celebrations, but this year was the best substitute I could hope for.

Little did I realize that France's day of independence is ten days after our own! For the Fête Nationale Française (which commemorates the storming of the Bastille), my new French friends (staff at the hotel restaurant) invited me along to Terrasson to see the fireworks. We were running a little late so Matthieu sped through the tiny, twisty countryside roads, I felt like I was on a roller coaster (this is no joke). Just as we were approaching Terrasson, we saw the fireworks go off and we thought we were going to miss them, but we made it in time to catch the end of the show.

Speeding in a tiny European car with fireworks straight ahead was one of the best feelings. When we finally made it to the rest of the crowd, there was a carnival, a bar, and a dance floor where everyone was just celebrating. It made me miss my "own" country but still feel happy about being here.

capbreton (la plage)

Less than a week after I arrived, I took a trip to Capbreton with the kids and their grandmother. After a six hour drive (thank you, Bordeaux traffic), we arrived in one of the cutest little beach towns I've ever been to.

Unlike my overcast (albeit beloved) Pacifica, the water here was actually warm enough to go into and enjoy. We played in the waves, ate jam sandwiches every day (for goute aka snacktime), and relished in the ultimate beach weather (warm with a perfect breeze). I've never really considered myself a "beach person"* but after my first day in the beautiful Atlantic and the perfectly soft sand I couldn't help but fall in love.

*Maybe I was just waiting for southern french beaches this whole time.

saint amand de coly

I've been away on a "family vacation" to Capbreton last week and I'm finally back with my own computer and photos!

On my second day here, 7-year-old Baptiste had the day off (no school on Wednesdays in France!) and he planned our itinerary while his sisters were at their babysitter's. We biked to a tiny nearby village where we wandered around and had a picnic.

Saint Amand de Coly was so tiny that I think we saw less than 10 different people there. It was quaint with its tiny streets, charming houses and flowers everywhere. We even made a friend (who I like to call "puppy") that followed us around everywhere we went. Even though Coly is the tiniest town I've ever lived in (it's 3 kilometers wide), I hope I can take more biking adventures around the area to find little gems like Saint Amand.