That annoying bird is outside my front door, shrieking endlessly as she tries to call to her offspring who are apparently on "test" flights of leaving the nest. I look at our cat, wondering why she makes no attempt at catching this bird as she has often attacked and caught pigeons, which are much larger. It's a testament to just how annoying this bird is, that I'm wishing the cat would get out there and do what cats do naturally.
We've been back two days and I'm already missing the relaxation of being at the beach. Since it's summer holidays and the kids aren't around at the moment, being a home is certainly quieter (except for the effing bird) than usual. There is less to do around the house: fewer clothes to be washed, rooms to clean and less food to shop for. We had a fabulous time hanging out with some friends for a picnic on Bastille Day -- how do you not enjoy a picnic with the Eiffel Tower in the background? And we got to meet a new friend, Carrie, who is going to Cat-and-House-sit for us in August -- bloggers are just amazing people, so generous with their time and energy! Last night we even managed to go to the new Harry Potter flick on its opening night in Paris. All in all, a decent couple of days back in our home city.
Yet somehow having had that little taste of vacation makes me long for MORE. MORE quality time spent snoozing or reading a good book under a blue-and-white-striped beach umbrella. MORE time floating in the salty Meditteranean waters (I don't know about you, but salt water seems to do good things for my skin). MORE time strolling with a freshly made gelato that tastes better than any store-bought Ben & Jerry's ice cream back home. MORE time people-watching from a terrace overlooking the marina and sea. MORE time eating lovely fresh salads and plates of tomatoes, mozzarella and olive oil that seem to taste better than they do when we make them in the city. MORE time sipping a pastis or some rosé at the end of a long day of beach-snoozing.
Three days of beach time was just not enough; I'm greedy now, adapting to the French style of taking time off to just enjoy life, and I want MORE. Fortunately, we only have to wait two weeks until we go back there... for THREE whole weeks. A REAL vacation. I'm YEARNING for those three weeks.
Can you blame me?
