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The Face - in two parts

Jul 22, 2024

3 min read

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Two very French experiences, tenuously linked - bear with us.


The Face - Part 1

To paraphrase Julie Gillard, It's not all French who do this, it's not none of the French whodo this, it is some of the French who do this....


The French like their language.

It's their language.

....and not your language..


And so, when you try to speak it to some locals, you get "The Face".


This face is, curiously, consistent in its appearance no matter who turns it on.

The face, in effect, says:

"Even though what you are saying in my language is entirely understandable, I am personally insulted that you try to speak MY language and so will continue to hold this face to not only express my displeasure but also try to pretend that I do not understand you so I don't have to engage in this process of listening to you murder your French accent and stumble with your pronunciation"


The thought of trying to photograph someone in the act of exhibiting The Face was attractive, particularly as the holder of The Face will keep this face for as long as you persist in trying to communicate with them in the native language - our best was about two minutes straight, which was a commendable exhibition of facial muscle control, but not a helpful form of communication.


However, having prompted their indignation by actually trying to talk to them, the further insult of saying "hang on, hold still" or some Frech equivalent while you whip our your phone and take their photo would probably further inflame the exchange and risk you being subjected to some form of local retribution, like being forced to eat a dish of snails, frogs legs, various intestines, all in the tartare mode of raw and just piled together.

So we didn't.


I have tried to show some examples below, kind of this comprehension

Kind of this attitude

Kind of this feeling

But we persevere - it's kind of a sport for us..





The Face - Part 2

In two parts

We took the opportunity last weekend to head out to watch some stages of the Tour de France. Quite an event.


Very interesting / surreal to assemble on the side of a narrow road in the middle of nowhere with a collection of people from all around the world - and wait for about four hours. Quite meditative.




The riders are preceded (by an hour or two) by "the caravan" which is code (or French) for a collection is bizarre looking vehicles that fly past quick and close and throw a collection of merchandise (aka, junk) at you that apparently appeals to many, many people. It is wise not to have four T-shirts land in front of you with six spectators close by - you risk being tangled in a Hunger Games type dash to grab one. Nasty.


But kudos to the organisers for assembling the most bizarre collection of vehicles, ranging from chickens

to fruit, vegetables and drinks



Yes, a car float of leeks.

...of course...


to fashion statements

The glasses are my segue to the next couple of Faces.



The Face sub group 1

We were passed by the breakaway group, who had been flat out racing to build their lead over three mountain top climbs by the time they got to us. Their faces were pictures of absolute exhaustion, fatigue yet desperate determination - it looked a bit scary



The Face sub group 2

Four minutes later came the yellow jersey group, with similar faces of distress on those at the front pushing pace and those at the back trying to hang on but contrasted with those in the middle, of the tour leaders, who looked impossibly serene.





The rest of our time has been setting out at more judicious times for rides as the weather has really baked up here. It is over 30 degrees by 10:00 am so rides during the week, after Tony finishes work, are short to avoid expiring.

Weekends give us an opportunity to head out early and head uphill into the 1,000m plus elevation where it is a bit cooler. The previous weekend was the ride of signs, our favourite supplied by the Military, letting you know if you go on their land - there will be deaths.....

The remainder of the ride continued to entertain..



A short video of the ride is here https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vjYQLLPJq





However, the evenings are glorious, with shots below of a local village, Seillans, where we went for dinner




Restoring our happy faces


End of August is rushing up too close, but further updates, including some scientific exposés (see what I did there?, no faces please) on local wine, will follow in the coming weeks.


Cheers




Jul 22, 2024

3 min read

9

98

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