Hiking in the Mountains

Today exceeded all my expectations. I set out for Saint Rémy, but ended up getting much more than I had anticipated. I realized that the beauty and tranquility of the town are further enhanced by the surrounding mountains. The beauty of nature and the time spent there had a calming effect on me, and even though I was alone, I felt like the world around me understood everything. The question of whether I am lovable was thought-provoking, but the sounds and sights of nature provided me with an answer. After today, I know that happiness lies in life’s small joys, and I can partake in it if I just pause to notice.

After four days of work, I have a day off, followed by five more days of work according to the new schedule. My relaxing day today starts at ten, with ironing.

After lunch, feeling hungry, I board the bus because I didn’t like the staff meal again. When I get on the bus, I haven’t decided yet whether to go to Avignon or just to Saint Rémy. The final reason is that next week the bus won’t go to the town of Saint Rémy. However, I will go to Avignon another time by train.

I already know the streets of Saint Rémy. If we imagine a romantic southern town, then we get Saint Rémy. The downtown area can be explored in a few hours, and one can wander around the nearby mountains for a day or more. That’s what I did: I walked for an hour, had coffee, and then set off back to the hotel on a scooter, for which, of course, I have to cross the limestone hills of the Alpilles.

I don’t usually go to Saint Rémy because although it’s barely ten kilometers away, the hill is too steep and my scooter can’t handle the round trip. But now I’m only making the return trip on two wheels. I choose the longer, steeper old road, which I haven’t been on before. I do get lost at one of the intersections, but in return, I see beautiful flowers in this fairytale world. I thought I would have a picnic with the figs, baguette, and olives I recently acquired at the viewpoint above Les Baux. However, the firefighters thought differently. I forgot that many tourist spots were closed due to the drought. Even so, an entire forest burns down in the neighboring region every week.

I turn right and explore the small mountain roads instead. Twenty minutes later, I find myself on another mountaintop. The landscape here is also magical, yet the area is not closed off. I can hear the dried pine branches trembling as they fall. The few stray clouds add another harmony to the trees among the limestone hills. A white rock serves as my snack table. I’ve developed a taste for olives, almost eating them like candy. There are many ways to flavor them; I have sweet, spicy, and salty ones with me.

A man rides by on a bike, who not only looks like the mayor of Arles but also has his voice. Whoever he was, it felt good that he stopped, greeted me, and exchanged a few words.

There are usually no people around here, even though this side is beautiful too. I sit among the pine trees on a rock.

It occurred to me while reading, because I got lost in the pine trees until it got dark: Perhaps my unspoken question is whether I am lovable too? If the trees were to answer, they would whisper “yes,” and I might not even believe it.

St. Rémy, August 26, 2024, Monday