June 11, 2006
Mas Provence
Life has changed in the past week...time is doled out by a church tower instead of a clock. I have a country-side at my door and a lake to sit by while the dogs swim for sticks. We eat wild cherries on morning walks and rub lavender between our fingers; the air is potpourri.
For me, Provence lives up to its praise and more. I know that being here with a woman who knows the area, the market day for each town, the best places to buy the local products, and speaks french - not to mention being fun - is lucky for me. She talks to everyone, and the market vendors are soon talking and laughing with us. It's us and 3 dogs in the big house, and the nicest honeymooning German couple - Simone and Karsten (and their dog Felix), in the small house.
The houses sit on a plateau near Lake Sainte-Croix, and it is an amazing expanse of lavender and poppy fields, and wild nature. The larger house has an original stone tower, which now sleeps 4 (and just me, for the time being). Bushes of rosemary line the walk and roses cascade by the hundreds all around the house.
The local markets sell glorious bottles of the land's bounty - lavender oil and lavender honey, infused olive oils, vinegars, mustards, vegetables, herbs and spices, cheese. There is soap and pottery at every turn - rich, rustic hand-made objects that are impossible to resist.
Nearby towns are like a dream, perched high on cliffs in clumps, with terra-cotta hats. Each has its own character. I am completely charmed with one town named Moustier Ste. Marie. We went on their market day and I think it is one of the prettiest towns I've ever seen. It is built into the cliffs that tower over it, with stunning vistas and waterfalls....you feel as if you've stepped into a photograph.
Am I happy? Yes. I could live here and be happy forever, and maybe even learn to paint.
