Hip Tastes Blog

POSTCARDS FROM PROVENCE 6:
Pets of Provence
filed under: Hip Tasters, Ramblings

Ok, I admit it: this entry is totally self gratuitous. Maybe it's because I miss Tasha Petunia. Maybe it's because I'm just a sucker for pets. Regardless, here you have it: PETS OF PROVENCE!!! My sister and I have been snapping some amazing pet pics throughout our travels and really want to share the best of them with you. I assure you: these are the cream of the cream of Provencal pets! That is to say, la creme de la creme, pour vous qui parlez francais.

Without further ado! Here is the mystery dog from the Vence farmer's market. Looks pretty relaxed, doesn't he? A theme we observed time and again with Provencal pets. Check out this next pic which shows le chien from a wider view: as you can see he is just kicking it, on his back, in the middle of a Provencal farmer's market. He was completely unphased. We loved it. We bonded with him. We took his picture. And then we left. On to more Provencal pets!

Like Bebe, pictured here on the stairs. Bebe and his buddy, Caramel, live with "the Cat Lady", as we've begun calling her, a charming older woman who runs a shop in the old town part of Vence, a Provencal village near where we're staying (and about 30 minutes from Nice, for those of you searching for recognizable coordinates). We bought lots of Provencal wares from her, especially little lavender pouches for friends back home, in large part because we loved coming to see her and her cats. The last time she saw us she gave us all these extra little lavender pouches as gifts. We loved her, and she loved us. But really, we loved her cats the most.

On to St. Paul de Vence, the very very cute (insanely cute, too cute, really) village right near where we stayed on this trip. It's a tiny medieval village perched on top of a hill between two dramatic gorges, as you see here, hence the swarms of tourists who descend on the village every day. We arrived at the beginning of August and are about to leave; we've noticed that the tourists have become more and more numerous as the days go by and the "high season" here in the south of France inches towards its climax. Despite the hordes, we found two very cute pets to photograph here.

The first is this tabby who, we swear, must be secretly related to the dog in Vence because it also had a proclivity for spreading itself out right smack in the middle of a busy pedestrian way. For those who have been to St. Paul de Vence you'll know that this tiny village only has one main drag, as we like to say stateside, and this chat was unabashedly spread out in the middle of that main drag. Never mind trying to pet it: passerby found out quickly this cat was the king of the road: he was cute to look at but would scratch anyone who tried to pet the "cute little kitty."

Shortly thereafter we spied this other chat nestled up under a car for a nap, clearly not concerned about the prospect of imminently being run over. This was a common theme amongst pets here for sure - this complete relaxation in the face of oncoming activity. In a way, it's like a metaphor for Provence itself. Things move slowly here! It's silly to worry about the future or anything serious!!

Next, we encountered yet another tabby in St. Paul de Vence just outside the city gates, next to this cute kid eating a cotton candy. The kid and her companion were content to check out the cat from several feet away. I found out later upon trying to pet it that it, like its friend over in the centre ville, really didn't want any attention from humans. It wanted to see and be seen, but not touched. Touche! Ok, I get the message. Provencal pets have a little attitude.

Still, that didn't stop me from trying to pet still another cat, pictured here, in Vence again. I thought this cat, named Mossimo, was adorable. Yes, he was, but not to touch. I got a swipe, what can I say? I'm a sucker for cats, especially Provencal cats. Like all the museums in these parts, though, it turns out these chats are better for looking than touching.

Coupla more dogs, finally, including Rocky, who was at dinner at the local pizza joint near us one night, and Aumandine's dog. Aumandine is the adorable French seamstress/designer who custom made a skirt for my sister in her studio in Vence. She has a husband and child in addition to this dog but I really think the dog the cutest of the bunch. Biased towards pets? Absolutely!! Can't wait to get back here to see more on my next trip.

Oh yes, and the wine has been very good too.

Posted by Courtney on August 17, 2006 02:17 PM

Comments

Great pet pics- I especially love the tabby...his pattern practically blends in with the walkway!

Posted by: Kristin on September 11, 2006 01:33 PM
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I cannot believe you didn't tell them about the little rascal that would beg treats from the shoppers in the town square and then return to, ahem, vomit all over his owners store due to tummy upset. I loved that story. I was so tres confused and worried about the dog all sick in the corner, then the owner sighed, took off his collar, and then he ran straight back to the square and a couple eating ice cream cones to resume begging. Do dogs ever learn?! Do men ever learn? Ahem, I digress. Love this blog entry, but wish the puking dog had been included. I guess, in a sense, now he has.

Posted by: Claire on September 21, 2006 01:29 PM
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