snapshots from gooney road – 4 oct 2015

ferry – 4 oct 2015

Today is National Taco Day and National Vodka Day.

I tried to get up early, but really just needed sleep. I wasn’t hungry, so I skipped breakfast. I packed up and went down to checkout, but since the internet and phones were out from the flooding (and the hot water too apparently), I couldn’t settle my bill. I left my bags in the luggage room and walked over to the ferry dock, which was very day to find. It was obvious there had been flooding from all the debris and mud around on the streets. The ticketing booth couldn’t use my credit card because of the outages, so I paid cash; the ferry arrived soon after. A 15-20 minute ride, and we were on the island. I headed in the opposite direction of everyone else and barely saw anyone my whole time on the island. I found a lovely spot and sat at a picnic table and had a little breakfast from the picnic food I had bought at Monoprix. I kept exploring, seeing the chapels and just enjoying the paths. When I came across the castle, I assumed it was closed, but climbed the steps anyway. It was open! And there was no one inside… And I found the spiral staircase that led to all of the upper levels. It was very dark, so I took my time. The views from the top of the castle were simply amazing! I very slowly made my way down the dark, slippery, uneven spiral staircase, then continued my tour of the island, finally stopping to eat a little more of my food for lunch before hopping on the ferry back to Cannes. At the hotel, I got my bags and went to find the bus (“other side of the station”). Well, the subterranean crossings were filled to the brim with water, so I asked the information person where my bus was. “Other side of the station” but you need to go around. So around I went. The devastation from the storms was much more pronounced as I circumnavigated the station. Everyone was mopping and drying our things. There was debris everywhere. I got to the bus stop, and it was filled with trash. The street was closed by the firemen because of the pile of cars that had floated down hill and came to a stop when they hit the wall of the station. I stood at the stop, not sure what to do. A young man came along and said “No bus”. I asked if he meant no bus here or no beys at all. “No bus today.” Okay then. I hike back up and over and around the train station and asked again. This time I heard “No buses, no trains.” Argh. After some discussions with my co-workers, we decided it was best for me to take a taxi. The taxis were overwhelmed with people – (no bus, no train), so the hotel called a car for me. The driver managed to get me to the hotel by avoiding all the closed roads and all the debris in the streets. I unpacked, showered and worked to take care of things, then Vero and I met to go out to dinner. We went to Valbonne and had a lovely dinner in an open plaza there. Very pleasant after a complicated afternoon.

vineyards – 4 oct 2015

view – 4 oct 2015

castle – 4 oct 2015

bus stop – 4 oct 2015

valbonne – 4 oct 2015