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| Waiting for the Cap Ferret to Arcachon ferry, I noticed this little yellow boat near the oysterbeds. The oysterbeds are marked by the poles at high tide. Finally, beyond the oysterbeds are recreational boats with Dune de Pilat in the background. |
I feel great this morning, though I am not in a hurry to leave Cap Ferret. The other day, Céline and I had discussed visiting the Dune de Pilat this morning before leaving Arcachon Bay. However, I don't feel it today. Instead, I'd prefer to take my time and maybe explore the west shore of Arcachon. Céline is on board with the idea. "I'm not feeling well this morning. My stomach is upset. If we don't go to the Dune de Pilat, that would be okay with me," she says.
Once in Arcachon, I follow Céline on my bike. Heading west of town, I pass several groups of women runners. I recognize instantly what is going on. They are all wearing yellow numbers. Their white tops are wet, and they sport amphibious shorts. Wow! I didn't realize that there was a triathlon this weekend. Most of the women look worn out, and rightly so. Triathlons are no joke; cycling, running, and swimming on the same day will wear most people out.
Céline and I find a little restaurant with a view of Cap Ferret. While I enjoy the view, an oyster farm boat passes by. I turn to Céline and say, I looked into volunteering with an oyster producer last summer when I was last. They were all full. I would still like to do that in the future. She nods as she shares the French word for oyster farming, "We call that Ostréiocle in French." It takes me several attempts before I can say the word. Some words give me fits in French. Partly because my French is coming back and partly because speaking French is sometimes hard. 😂
How are you feeling? Any better, I ask Céline. She shakes her head no. "My insides are having a wrestling match against me today," she says. I feel for her. I can tell she's not in a good place. I tell her about
the wrath of Neptune while I was in Italy. Be glad you don't have it coming out both ends simultaneously, I say, laughing.😂 It sucks when you aren't feeling good.
Céline and I discussed where to disembark from the train after we board. We decide that because she is not feeling good, we should take the train to Biganos, France, and skip the long bike ride. From there, we can ride to Audenge, return the bikes, and pick up her car. Around noon, the two of us board the train in Arcachon and stow the bikes in the designated car. The train ride is quiet until we are near Biganos, then the heavens part, and it begins to pour. As I step off the train, I am ambushed by the deluge. The air temperature has plummeted as the cold rain falls all around me.
At least we are dry here under the breezeway, I say to Céline. "Let's stay here until this passes. We have time," she says. While it pours, I watch unfortunate souls who don't have the time to wait get soaked while running to and from their cars. One woman in particular makes me laugh. Her car is parked across the parking lot. Unlike the others, she walks at a normal pace. It might as well be a beautiful, sunshiny day for her. It reminded me of when I was on the Camino. I recall that I never walked faster when it rained. There was no need to hurry. Life is better when I am not in a hurry.
Finally, after about 30 minutes, the rain clears. Céline and I climb onto our bikes and head north to Audenge. At the bike shop, the owner says, "I'm really sorry about your troubles. I appreciate you fixing the bike. Next time you are in the area, I'll give you a free half-day rental to make it right." I appreciate it, but I'm not sure the next time I'll be in Audenge, I tell him. Then Céline and I climb into her car and head back to Bazas, France.
On the drive to Bazas, I have mixed feelings about heading back stateside. On one hand, I know my parents are counting on me to help with their move. Conversely, I want to continue my travels and acknowledge that I strongly desire not to return. The last few days were relaxing and exactly what I wanted before returning. I love living simply and slowly. It allows me to connect with the day. After years of being a hamster in a wheel, I now realize that life is better when it is slow and simple. The simple part I figured out a while back. However, life moves at a much quicker pace in the US, and I am still looking for a way to slow it down. It is one of the reasons why I chose to travel and have little interest in returning to rebuild a life in the Intermountain West at the moment.
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