The Forest on the Mountain Has a Fantastic Scent at Dawn
An unforgettable night in Saint-Rémy, where the excitement of fireworks, the lively atmosphere of festivals, and the fresh scent of the forest at dawn created lasting memories. The evening’s events blurred the lines between past and present, in a town steeped in history.
Before waiting for the fireworks, I found myself reflecting on how no security organization today would allow something like what we experienced in Nagykanizsa on May 1, 2004, during the celebration of Hungary’s accession to the European Union. The organizers shot rockets over our heads in the packed town square, from the top of the town hall toward the sky. The colored smoke filling the sky and the compressed lights added to the experience. Well, in Saint-Rémy, they pulled off something similar. The fireworks were launched from the football field, and debris even fell on the audience. A rare experience! Thanks again to a small town!
This entire town is a rare experience. Sometimes I can’t decide if I’m in a Provencal paradise left behind by the Romans or in the small town where Nostradamus didn’t predict the future but stopped time. Yes, this is Nostradamus’ birthplace, spared by centuries of wars. Perhaps one reason is its location, higher up in the hills. It was much more practical for armies to target the wealthy merchant towns along the rivers, like Arles and Avignon. And by the way, tomatoes are grown on the lower slopes. It’s a beautiful town.
Amid these historical monuments, they are holding festivals. This week there was a jazz festival, which I unfortunately missed. Today there’s a concert on the steps of the church, and in the bar, the street is filled with party music. At the bullfighting arena, there’s a Bodega – a concept I still don’t fully grasp – but it’s essentially an open-air disco, with a well-built stage, lighting, and quality sound. You have to endure a long line to get in, but since waiting isn’t my thing, I went back to the square instead. There, I found a well-crafted show. The singers had great voices, and the dancers moved gracefully.
I love when people have a sense of humor: while the dancers were taking a break, the tech guys jumped in, wearing skirts, and performed a vintage choreographed routine to a Spice Girls retro song. The guitarist laughed so hard he nearly fell off the stage.
After this fantastic atmosphere, I strolled around the pop-up amusement park with a huge serving of churros in hand. I was hungry since I hadn’t eaten dinner – I wanted to leave early. I can only get to the other side of the mountain on my scooter if I’m willing to walk for half an hour through the steep parts and keep the speed on its lowest setting. The return journey was easier, with more downhill sections.
The forest on the mountain has a fantastic scent at dawn.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, September 21, 2024, Saturday
