Full disclosure. I am not drawn to sheep. But there is something addictive about the annual sheep festival in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
The Tranhumance is the annual transition of the herds to the Alpilles for the summer green pastures. In St Remy, that means a parade of sheep around the ring road of the town, balloons, food and drink, a flea market/antique fair, a BBQ, sheep herding trials, shoes clumped with sheep shit, and a general festive mood all day.
My thoughts on sheep:
Sheep Thought #1
Sheep are, it has to be said, sheepish. They seem to be afraid of many things. Shepherds waving their arms. Sheep dogs trotting their talents. Goats with big horns (and big bells). Strangers trying to pat their fluffy wool. Pretty much everything that moves.
Sheep Thought #2
Sheep seem to relish close quarters. They must like the softness and warmth of their buddies. Or being in a herd so large, no one will notice them (or eat them).
The Transhumance is a sea of sheep. Whether they're trotting through town or grazing in the higher fields, nose to butt is the tradition.
Sheep Thought #3
Sheep need union reps. The Transhumance is fun for the tourists and locals, but it doesn't seem that fun for the sheep. In fact, this year, the sun was relentless, and the temperature spiked over 90 degrees.
The sheep had no water and were struggling for a bite of parched, scratchy weeds in the upper fields, where they were put in a cramped pen while the crowds ate and drank and danced.
The poor things were panting heavily, too tired to complain and unable to lie down because the pen was like a cocktail party so crowded you're only able to acknowledge the people who are wedged in beside you.
The goats had bullied their way under the one tree and claimed as much space as they needed, while the sheep pressed themselves along the perimeters of the pen and longed for mountain meadows.
I say that's baaad form.
Meredith Mullins is a fine art photographer, photography instructor, writer for OIC Moments, and Director of the International Fine Art Photography Competition. Her work can be seen at www.meredithmullins.artspan.com or in her award-winning book, In A Paris Moment. She is also available for private photography instruction/exploration in Paris. Contact her at [email protected].
"Tell me the truth. Does this bell make me look fat?"
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I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
