May 2023

Last year in the article 30 Years in Ganties I told you about my extraordinary meeting in extraordinary circumstances that put us together with extraordinary people. In the center of humanitarian aid to Ukraine of Toulouse I met Audrey and Thierry. Despite the morbid context I can’t help marveling about the roads get crossed due to unlikely events, but here we are, a bit more than a year later, Xavier, my friend Mariia and I on our way from Toulouse to Provence – to celebrate Audrey’s 50 years.

I was very excited about this trip and really looking forward to it. Not only because of my itching need of traveling, and not only because it had been five years since our last visit to Marseille – a city I love with all my heart – but because of the event itself. Audrey is one of those lucky people who has quite an extended family with a rich history, and witnessing such gatherings is always something special. A human experience I wouldn’t miss for the world.

May 2023

Last year in the article 30 Years in Ganties I told you about my extraordinary meeting in extraordinary circumstances that put us together with extraordinary people. In the center of humanitarian aid to Ukraine of Toulouse I met Audrey and Thierry. Despite the morbid context I can’t help marveling about the roads get crossed due to unlikely events, but here we are, a bit more than a year later, Xavier, my friend Mariia and I on our way from Toulouse to Provence – to celebrate Audrey’s 50 years.

I was very excited about this trip and really looking forward to it. Not only because of my itching need of traveling, and not only because it had been five years since our last visit to Marseille – a city I love with all my heart – but because of the event itself. Audrey is one of those lucky people who has quite an extended family with a rich history, and witnessing such gatherings is always something special. A human experience I wouldn’t miss for the world.

Marseille

Vieux Port

Muceum

We already had a thorough photowalk followed with an article about Marseille and besides I didn’t care for dragging our big camera during the event, so this time I chose a small film Kodak Star 275 as a photo companion. It’s a cheap point and shoot camera that brought no revolution whatsoever in the technological world. For me it has a special meaning though, as it was my parents’ first camera that documented my Ukrainian childhood in the nineties. I felt I had to give it a second life, and it got it.

Bandol

After two days in Marseilles, full of its own emotional turmoil, which included a closed restaurant we intended to go, a drawn watercolor pencil, a forgotten GoPro battery, a lot of unforeseen walking, but also some kind spring sun and delicious meals, we hit the road to Bandol. The beauty we went through was sublime; feeling it pierce through our exhausted minds was priceless.

Nature in the closest Toulouse environment is very different from this Mediterranean fauna and each time it strikes me how much I love it, even if hot climates with endless summers are not my thing.

Route des Crêtes

The birthday festivities consisted of two parts – a picnic on the beach of Bandol and the soirée itself. A complete awe is the best way to describe them both. It’s been a while since I accepted the random destiny that each of us receives at the moment of conception, but every time I can’t help imagining that this is someone’s every day life. Someone spent here their childhood. This is someone’s “by default” reference. I perceive this all without any jealousy or bitterness but it’s fascinating how life works.

First swim of the year

This blog is not a place to convey the entire Audrey’s family story of and, truth to be told, I got lost in it from the very beginning. Without going deep into the details, her family owns a Provence winery – Domaine Tempier and everything it goes with: an authentic house, acres of vineyards, cellars with huge barrels with wine… One thing is knowing such family businesses exist, another – going there and seeing it with one’s own eyes. The fact the these portraits on the walls weren’t bought on flea markets but actually are family heritage covers me with goosebumps!

Domaine Tempier

The reception was fantastically beautiful. Like from the Pinterest boards and Provence blogs. Considering the Domaine Tempier is featured in a number of Provence cookbooks, it makes perfect sense. I will cherish this evening in my precious memory box, including crazy drunken dances, a stunning sunset and just celebration of life as it is. Naturally, my little buddy Kodak would never handle the tricky evening lights, so I will have to rely on my memory for those moments.

Merci à Véronique pour son accueil !

Xavier, Valéria, Mariia, Audrey & Thierry: After Party Breakfast

Two take outs from this trip. The first is that I am a very lucky person. Despite the war and everything, there is joy and there is love. Also, there is a life very different from ours or from what we know as “a solid avarege” – yet again, it’s fascinating. And the second is that I need to go to Provence for real, with Peter Mayle’s books and everything. No time to lose, I need to start searching for a huge straw hat. Stay tuned. 🍷