The Glow of Sea Breezes
I swim against the current caused by the sea breeze, basking in the sunlight sparkling on the water. The harmony of nature and the sea captivates me, filling my mind with new thoughts.
Despite planning it days in advance, I don’t rush this morning. My day starts at ten. At half-past one, I have sun-dried tomatoes bought at the market for breakfast while waiting for the bus to the beach. After some shopping, I spread out on the sand of Saintes-Maries beach at four. The weather is pleasant, not too hot, and only the Germans remain in the water at this time. When I was a child, as soon as it reached eighteen degrees Celsius in May, we would switch to shorts; at twenty-two degrees, the air and water at Lake Balaton were almost perfect. Now it’s twenty-six degrees, with eighteen expected at dawn. So I brought both a jacket and a swimsuit. After a quick nap, I opt for the swimsuit. The water feels cool at first, but it’s just right for swimming and collecting shells, and the wind doesn’t bother me.
Swimming against the wind makes me philosophical. We often think that swimming against the current is the hardest. But that’s just slow progress; you can prepare for it, move forward at a slower pace, and avoid the crowd. The real challenge is standing firm against the side winds. It’s tough to prepare for those who attack from the side, and they’re never considerate. They sweep you away, unlike those who confront you head-on.
Today, my consumption was truly eco-friendly: a baguette, cheese, salami, tomatoes, and grapes. By evening, the last crumb is gone. I know it’s not much, but why eat more if I’m not hungry? The sunset brings the golden glow of the sea just as I love it. I love this place, and I love this view.
Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Monday, September 23, 2024.
