Dear Third Years,
I'm writing this from Avignon, a medieval city in the South of France. We just came up here today from Beziers, down on the Mediterranean coast, where we spent some lazy time playing in the sea and exploring the countryside. Before that, we were in southern Spain... which is why I have been thinking of you.
You have been on my mind off and on ever since I landed in Spain, and got to remembering the work we did together for Blood Wedding. There I was, two years on, living and breathing the Spanish culture that we had talked about... and there they were, walking down the ramblas, arms entwined around each others' waists; or dancing at midnight in a little town square; or eating dinner at 10:00 at night (children included), because the whole country shuts down from 1:00 till 4:00. It's just such a different rhythm of life. The best part for us was that we were there to take part in a medieval festival that is hosted by an entire town for three days. The whole town dresses up and turns out to host it; they decorate the streets and cover up modern signs and -- young and old -- wander around in amazing costumes. My sons were so excited to be able to wear the 'armor' they had bought at the Tower of London and blend right in!! We got to watch an actual jousting tournament; we followed three of the 'knights' as they left a street tavern on horseback, still clutching some of the local brew. Needless to say, they were entertaining to follow but not so interesting to watch in the tournament, as that took some real horsemanship and a coordination that did not allow for pints of mead beforehand. What amazing spectacle... and all put on by amateurs with the fervor and passion the Spanish seem to put into everything. It would have been impossible without the sense of community that exuded from every cluster of buildings or gathering of people -- that's just something we don't develop or value in our North American towns. Of course the atmosphere was helped along hugely by cobbled roads and centuries old buildings and streets so narrow an SUV would never make it down one. It It truly was a different world -- so vibrant and colorful.
But what really caught my attention today and made me feel I must write you was on a different level entirely... . The bathrooms we've encountered in the Avignon area have been a bit of an eye opener for the kids -- you guessed it, they've encountered the infamous squatter I told you about!! There are a few actual toilets as well (occasionally), but they don't have seats -- you're meant to squat over them as well! We did not have this 'cultural experience in Spain as we were lucky enough to stay with British friends in their luxurious villa, but I have no doubt that the toilets of the masses were indeed, squatters!
The topless sunbathing that is de rigeur along the Mediterranean has also been a but of a revelation for the children. Perhaps not in the glamorous way you might think, though, as the majority of the sun bathers we've encountered tend to be older Swedish or German couples with an unhealthy predilection for tanning to a point of leathery brown that is obscene. Believe me, there's nothing too exciting in the sight of pendulous bits of mahogany colored flesh!!! But what is most interesting about it is how the kids, after the first startled few minutes, seem to take it all in stride and accept others' bodies as comfortably as everyone else here does. That is an education they could never get in school, and one I wish for you all!
May this year bring you the gift of the kind of ease within your skin that I see walking all around me here... and may it give you the skills to tap the passion and exuberance in life that we should all have every day...
Have a great one,
Candace
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