I am so spoiled it’s not even funny.

I had a lovely day at the beach – the second full beach day I’ve enjoyed since my arrival. Chatted a bit with an old English couple; the husband thought I had the most beautiful teeth. (I get all sorts of compliments from old men about my teeth. As flattered and grateful as I am, I feel like it’s very odd. Though I once had somebody tell me I had nice forearms. That’s weirder.) Anyways, as the sun was beginning to set, I heard a woman nearby speaking with her husband in American English. So, being as desperate for friends as I am, I marched up and said hello. And we all hit it off.

As it turns out, Alison’s from New York and met her husband, François from Ramatuelle, while studying at the University of America in Paris. They’ve lived together in Paris for some years, moved to New York for a bit, and now are living in London. They were very charming. We talked of books and movies and Ramatuelle and St. Tropez – and they bought me a drink at L’Esquinade before going to Ramatuelle for some more. We had such a great time that when it was time to go we exchanged kisses and numbers and promised to meet up tonight.



So they met their dinner date and I had my bowl of cereal at home and we rendezvoused at Senequiers around midnight. The café was closing, but that’s not where we planned to spend the night anyways. Instead, we had some drinks right up the street at a local bar before going to yet another underground place with their very gay friend – one of the last true Tropezians – Patrick. It was great. I had a lot of fun – and it felt good to have drinks with people. We have plans for Friday night, too.

Unfortunately, it was still dark when it came time to leave and the bar down the street (who actually is owned by a friend of Alison & François’) was closed, so I couldn’t borrow a flashlight. I was even at Géant Casino yesterday (I bought myself a hair straightener – my first French electric device!) and somehow forgot to buy one. In fact, I never seem to remember that I need one until I arrive at the top of that first staircase and entirely lose my nerve. Not to mention that aside from the thick darkness of Southern France (which does allow for phenomenal star gazing – assuming you’re not terrified of wild animals and gypsies and whatnot), I was scared out of my wits by the sound of a cat clearly being attacked and dying. Ahh, the sound rack of my night…

All I can say is I’m very grateful I decided to charge my camera battery tonight – the flash proved to me a suitable light to get me down the steps, through the path, and across the beach to my front door. It always seems, though, that when you want into your house the fastest is when your key doesn’t work. It took me a few minutes, but I made it in… and locked up tight behind me. It’s official: after my stay here, I am afraid of the dark.

I was so anxious to get a job not for the money – though it is a necessity – but really for the friends. When you work with people in a restaurant, you go out with them afterwards. They become your primary group of friends. But I realized today that there are other ways to make friends, too. I still call up those kids from the Papagayo, I’m sure I’ll see Anthaya and Elanie around, and by simply sitting on the beach today, I was welcomed with open arms to a whole new group of friends. The guy at the gate of the beach knows me well – and often lets me in with just a wink and a smile instead of 4€. The guy at the Internet shop remembers me every time – and loves to tease me. The guy at the post office in Ramatuelle is probably less than pleased he is as familiar with me as he is – and he grumbles a “no” before I even have a chance to ask him the question. I’m starting to find a place here. And I have all summer to find a job. In the mean time… life is good.