The tourist brochure cautions not to go into the water in the Gulf of St. Tropez up to the neck due to the chance of hyperthermia. Shockingly the water was bone chilling but more shocking was the heat wave that overtook the South of France with record temperatures for June in the 90’s.
In choosing our June local we took into account two factors. #1 was that the weather would be somewhat moderate, low 80’s, and #2 it would be quieter because the French do not begin summer holiday until Bastille Day, the beginning of July. Wrong and wrong. We hit a major heat wave which took temperatures for a week into the 90’s hiding us from the midday sun but, no way to escape the stifling heat and lack of wind. The water was not a shelter either, hitting the beach at 4:00 was baking but the water was akin to the polar bear plunge each time without the jet stream of the waters catching up to the early summer that arrived.
Together, my little adventurer and I discovered a somewhat hidden oasis at a national park with greenery and cliffs that led down to tidal pools that had warmed up nicely due to the stifling lack of breeze. There we could explore marine life and unite ourselves with nature in the purest form. Our little earth keeper was not satisfied by the plethora of cigarette butts that lined the picnic area and being that she is not allowed to touch them had me pluck each one from Pacha Mama (mother earth) as she sang a song apologizing for the atrocity that people had created in what she considered her very sacred place.
Our family together spent time in ways such as that to strike a dichotomy from the beachy, shore vibe. We took a day trip to Port Gimaud to rent a boat and weave our way thought the lovely canals, like Venice without the massive crowds. Our adventure was to the town of Gimaud to visit the ancient walls and fortress with a sweeping view high above the Gulf and surrounding areas. It is no surprise that there is a Rue de Templars, a small street dedicated to the lore of the Templars who were once inhabitants. At each of our visits thus far since arriving in Europe Ila is transfixed by churches and cathedrals, the energy and the beauty of these old gems leads us to plead with her to exit at the appropriate time.
The intention of our explorations was to connect ourselves and our family in a distinct manner with divine intentions. Seeing life through the eyes of a child, unfiltered and pure allow for capabilities beyond the higher insights of a spiritual teach or guru, a true connection to spirit through nature and energy. There is a woman who spreads love through the world by going around hugging. We have our own angel who by walking through the town with her sparkle crown has brought smiles to more faces than one can imagine, storekeepers, tourists, as well as on duty police. Happiness runs in a circular motion!
Living Wherever We Are 