La Ciotat is a rather large town build around the old roman roads that weave throughout this fantasialand. You are in the heart of provence, yet by the beautiful sea. There is a charming port and lively cafes and bistros that dot the seaside. The stroll through old town is enchanting and quiet. There are remarkable sights everywhere you cast your gaze.
My two cousins are extremely talented musicians, by their own rights. Dominique plays drums and sings in Paris, but was down here on holiday.
Jean Paul is a terrific musician that plays the bass. He is known worldwide for his talents and as owner of the Hot Brass Jazz Clubs around France.
Jean Paul and Vanie live in a beautifully organic home and treated me to all the fantastic day by day occurrence's in their lives. I know they went out of their way to make it entertaining, and it surely was for me. The beautiful grapes hanging above the patios, their magnificent fresh veggie gardens, the late afternoon games of petanque, all blended into the evening sound that changed from locusts calls to cricket calls and the curious notion that a boar may approach at any time.
Jean Paul's daughter, Nathalie, and her family are close to their house. There's a borie on the short walk I had taken to their equally unique home. Nathalie has a wondrous talent for making one of a kind jewelry. She is a versatile and creative artist.
Nathalie on the left
JP and Vanie
The big celebration on JP's birthday was a grand affair. JP's friend and extremely talented musician, Yves Scotto came early with his friend and brought and octopus that needed some tenderizing.
Seriously, he slapped it repeatedly on the ground and beat it with a rock so that it became the tender morsels everyone enjoyed later on the open air oven outside. This is not Yves pictured here, but you get the idea. I tried to help, but I wasn't too great at cutting the zucchini.
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Mine didn't look like this, it was all gouged and chunky. Vanie made two different kinds of shrimp; one with cilantro and one with mint. Oh, it was so very tasty. She was a sweet and loving woman. I learned so much from her in the small amount of time we were together. I think of Vanie every day.
For an added bonus, Yves and Bernard were serving extremely strong mojitos and Nathalie baked a lavender and fig tart. Incredible, from beginning to end. By the way, in the midst of the impeccable dining, live music, lively company, and petanque, I had to go into fetal position on the bed in a mojito glaze. Not nice, but I couldn't move. I will remember that day for as long as I live and beyond.
So, thanks, JP, for being the stand-up guy I've always known you to be, even defending me at the airport and right up to the last second. You're the greatest and I love you. I am forever grateful for your hospitality. Here's to you and your family. May you always know love and happiness.
