Mirepoix France Saturday February 20, 1336, 1556, 1876,1936 2016

Observations by Malana, photos by Roland and Malana, original art by Roland

Today the sun came out and warmed the people, the land and the town square. Roland and I joined the small gathering of local families, visitors from other parts of France, French seniors and a few foreigners in the warm sunshine in the town square.

Life is simple but varied in a French village square. Children run, ride their bikes, chase each other and chase pigeons. A local character strums his guitar, mumbling unintelligible words. Another man is taking the opportunity to practice his drawing skills and is sketching the scene. A couple walks hand-in-hand from the bakery, others to the butcher or café; some are getting their weekly shopping done and catching up with friends and neighbors.

The cafes are full and no one is in hurry to leave their spot in the sun. People are reading, chatting and simply taking a pause. Two older Moroccan men catch up on gossip on the bench in the sun. The noise of children and adults laughing; church bells chime announcing another passing hour; the pigeons and crows break out in a noisy ruckus—one the hunter, the other the hunted—filling the square. The one sound I didn’t hear was the beep, bop, boop of anyone’s smartphone, nor did I see anyone fixated on their devices.

Almost feels like a step back in time.

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