August 2008 |
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Getting my name out there The best selling item was Perry's hand-drawn sign for use in houses with a fosse septique, with cartoon drawings warning people not to throw floss, tampons and other stuff down the loo. There was a lot of interest for the Apple computer and the 360 degree camera that we had set up. It certainly had people gathering around the stall and taking business cards away. Hopefully it will bring in some more clients looking for graphic and website design. Onion seeds We turned up after lunch and joined the crew in the glaring sun. Starting from both ends of a field, we worked towards each other, breaking off the stalks a hand width below the seed heads and slowly filling the sacks. It was tough work and although we were only able to help for a couple of hours, our backs were aching and our hands dried out, stained and dry. Passing by the next day, we saw that they had cleared the whole field, poor people. Too much of a good thing? It's a five day party! We went down to join in the fun and made it home around 4 or 5 am each night. We'd come into town the next morning and find groups of people wandering around still from the night before. The great thing is that with all the partying and alcohol involved, no one gets out of hand, gets punchy or vandalises anything. Mr Toulouse, who runs the bike and lawnmower shop, cleared his showroom and the Comité des fêtes turned it into a Bodéga with a dance floor and a simple bar out front, selling only champagne. As each day passed we saw how people looked more tired and ragged. We were also amazed at the costume changes going on each evening. One night a whole load of rugby players came dressed as monks and nuns, the next evening as airline pilots. Hilarious. On the last night, a storm suddenly swept in and two of the other temporary buffet bars were torn apart by the wind and scattered over a large area. Unpeturbed, the Triaïs just cleared up, moved elsewhere and carried on partying. And we used to think that Trie was a dead-end town! Here Piggy, Piggy... Part of the success comes from the local businesses committee who have been very active in creating and managing events throughout the year. One legacy of the old market is the Pourcailhade. This a celebration of all things PIG. It started with a bacon and egg breakfast, prepared by the local Brits. This was later followed by the lunch, which involved a large plate of charcuterie with paté, dried ham, saucisson, chorizo and cold boudin noir. Then Cassoulet with pork chops, red wine, cheese, cakes and coffee. Perry had joined the kitchen team and was in the back loading up the charcuterie platters. The original plan was to cater for 300 meals, but it was so popular that more than 430 meals were served. The team eeking out what was left to make sure as many people had something to eat as possible. Then followed the main event. The pig imitation competition. There were prizes for best impression of a pig having sex, giving birth, being chased by a farmer and being slaughtered. Oh yes. Competitors come from far and wide, in fact the winner came from Bretagne and apparently does this sort of thing on a regular basis. It takes all sorts. Anyway, he was happy and wheeled away a shopping trolley full of pig meat as first prize. August also brings the Jazz in Marciac festival. Two weeks of jazz and related genres. Over the years we have seen Taj Mahal, Joe Cocker, Jamie Cullum, Cesaria Evora, Marcus Miller, Bill Evans (the sax player) and the Afro Cuban All Stars. This year we went to the smaller Arena, which was the original bullring of the town and is a much more intimate place than the main 5000 seater venue. The Arena is a little like the Paradiso in Amsterdam or the Roundhouse in London. We saw Orchestra Baobab, who would have had the roof hanging off its hinges, if there had been one. Under the silhouetted tree branches and the bar within reach, we had swung and watched musicians who were really having a whale of a time, improvising and getting the audience involved. Our friend Marina lives just up the road from Marciac. She moved there because of the jazz festival and has a season ticket each year, going to a concert nearly every night for two weeks. She has a lot of stamina for a lady who is about to hit 70. Good on her. Now, that was yet another month of non-stop partying and to think we thought we might end up having nothing to do out here in the sticks. Anyone got an aspirin? A bientôt. |
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© 2008 Perry Taylor and La Baguette Magique, France. |