Carambal, the day after

Still, on the same day of Carambal, at around lunch time I was woken up by the rest of the house; a quick wash, some clean clothes on and we went out, to have a branch coffee to help us wake up; also to have a few more memories to keep safe of the people and adventures we had had there.

But after such lovely time we had, time was hushing us home again. But it wasn't my time now yet, as I had another half-a-day in the french metropolis. Funny is to see how the land shifts as we move souther in the continent; how the language changes, the way of being in the environment, the way people dress and their day-to-day doing. And I thus wonder, if there is such a change in such a little gap, between London and Paris, I wonder how grand will these changes be when I leave the European borders to embrace the remaining lands over the mountain? 

A quick about, before dinner, at Cour Saint-Émilion, suggestion of Alizée, to see not only but also this market, a former building that was after converted into this kind of street market, with plenty of restaurants and galleries, worth to pay a visit to. A thing that I tried to see again but realised the reason why we didn't go the first time I visited Paris, was Le Gare Montparnasse.

The first time I came here, I witnessed one of the best sunsets over Paris I've ever seen but had no chance to record it. So, when faced again with that giant building and the possibilities to be made on that terrace, I just didn't took the change this day because of the certainty that this day wasn't the ideal day to do it an also the acquired fact that I would be there again, soon enough to try again this attempt of a magical photograph still to be accomplished... it shall be done, that is certain. When or under which conditions, that I'm yet to know.

Monday morning, and the room that was once lively and very folky, was now empty to none but two people; me and Alizée. A drink a tea and grab a biscuit, pick up your backpack; don't forget half of the stuff behind. But please, do not get late to the coach!

I do not yet understand why I push myself so much to get to thing right on the limbo. Is it that felling the rush and questioning the possibility of the already arranged; what can come due to that was not accomplished, when the reason why we went there had been already satisfied to the marrow, not making the last step puts us in that very questionable situation of "damn, what next?"

This felling of the uncertain is.... very.... very good a-having!

And for now, we stay here.

Carambal, mon ami

The sun was yet to be seen, already was I exiting the coach that had taken me all the way from London to Paris, were I would spend three amazing days dancing, discovering the city and of course, spending a great deal of time with incredible people.

Having arrived so early to Paris (Alizée was still asleep) gave me the opportunity to go around a while and see the sunrise over the Eiffel city. Despite my walks, I soon realised about my dead phone and thus, the inability to get in contact with Alizée and thus, manage to get to her place. This made me go around a few blocks until, near Louvre, I manage to find a free-internet shop where I managed to get online, hence managing to top charge my telephone and consequently comunicate with her.

Soon after I was at her place, which is quite near Montmartre, and people were starting to put a small street market on. Time to rest a while and wait for the rest of the group, still on their way to Paris; to Carambal.

When everyone arrived, a little chat, some tea and many laughs, we head out, to see Montmartre, and the yet to re-discover bits and dips.. A few hours we spend, catching up or knowing the newly-made companions, while trekking  up the steep roads that lead to Sacre Coeur. Many clouds hovering the sky were making preparations for a rainy festivity day but yet, we carried on, for no rain would be impediment of having a good time of the little hours we had to be there.  

We hence moved on and, close to the time the ball was about to begin, we head back to put some food on the belly, rest and get ready to dance a whole night long!

Immense traffic, a lot of rain and a little delay didn't make any difference to our mood. Rather, it made us more anxious about what was about to happen! As we goot in, we realised a grand space, big and wide like a warehouse, split into two: one of the divisions was the stage zone and the opposite, on the right, the restauration space, with amazing crepes and cakes; a cloakroom for everyone to hang their rainy coats and extra layers.

The ball itself started at 7.30pm... already past half six in the morning me and a still big group of yet resistent ones were dancing, and playing or just hanging a bit more until our bodies could not handle any other step. It was what indeed happened to me! While dancing with Lúcia, until my body, wrecked by so much dance, crashed on the ground, along with her, in a bumbling way. No need to say that, once we got to the ground, we couldn't stop laughing by what had just happened and, despite laughable, my body shouted "this all you danced at Carambal".

This said, hugs and kisses given, I went towards the metro. The only issue about taking metro at this time of the morning is that the tiredness on my body was so much that every seat on the metro seat felt like the best mattress ever. This lead to have to change direction and metro three times before I was able to exit on the right station.

No need to say that wen I go home, I crashed almost immediately to recharge batteries.

The folk back

Like always, one has to go back home. After the end of the festival, I got a lift back to Angers but, even though the city looked very friendly, tiredness was way to much for me to adventure myself walking and finding a place to crash so, after a few messages, I got my train back to Tours and stayed with Carol for another two nights, of which I was able to see the city again but on this time, adventure for other parts that I didn't go before.

So much love in the air!!!

I really find funny the sac of potatoes, waiting to be picked up inside by it's beloved one ^^  

Also, because of it's size, being there for a second time allowed me a lot more time to sit on the cafes to read, draw and write for a while, while enjoying the beat of it's people.

Because of my time spent at the cafes, I had the most unpredictable episode ever! In the morning of my flight, I head to the cafe to kill some time, while having a wake up coffe, watching the city waking up, trying to learn a bit more of my very rusty french. Everything was running smoothly when a girl - around my age - came closer to me and asked me for what I thought to be a lighter. Went to my bag, looked for it on the pocked and, when finally with with and turned to her, she had left. However, there was a surprise for me: a lucky strike cigar with a phone number!
When I got notion of what had happend, I looked around, trying to understand if that was real or a   prank of some sort. But no one came, leaving me to the very moment of illumination: someone just gave me a phone number on a cigar!!!!
Truly indescribable!

Indeed a wow of a trip, and a yay of a accomplished one!

Even though a bit sad for be leaving France so early, I am really glad for making here, as this smal walk around opened a couple of doors for the incoming month's festivities!  ^^

It has been found!

And it is Folk Music!!

The road up to Damada was a very funny one, to say the least. Full of lifts - I got 5, not including the one straight to the folky festival! This happened because of my choice of taking the national road rather than heading close to the motorway thus allowing me to have a more relaxed, longer journey up in France.
The day of the hitch was a long, hot day. Even though I got my stops, it also had it's walkable moments and they were not few, nor little some times. It started right after the sun came up, and as the sun was half-way between sleep time and lunch time, I was arriving at Coulans s/ Gée.
The small little village, with long wide roads, thin tiny houses - very cosy though - were the stage for what was gonna be on of the most admirable festivals I've witnessed so far.
Following the signs, I ended up on this football field, now place for the many tents that would be placed there.
My tent though, wasn't there yet, as Lena was still on her way down from Rennes here. It was amazing though for because of this, I met an amazing, and big! group of dutch people with whom I spend a lovely time with and also got to know some very interesting things, such as other festivals were I might go in the future! hehe

Every festival I go it rain, but only for one day/night! Truth be told, I find it very odd

Green, hilly pastures, incredible, warm sunny weather. Horses, feeding of the healthy grass, showing off and making those walking pass looking at them in awe, this was the surrounding of this small grand gathering.

 

Lovely people, from many different countries - 12 at least, from my counts - bringing their own music background and dancing styles, blending at the sound of amazing music, some of which have inspired me for life, and an energy that makes you wanna dance all day and all night, non-stop; just feeling the music, reacting to what is being played - or sang.

by Yann Ontsa-Ontsa :)

Divided by both dancing and music workshops, during the day and balls following jam sessions at night, are that very ancient recipe for a whole day of intensity and good fun. Amazing dancing workshops, particularly the junction between musicians/professors that set the quality of them very high in the bar, giving me the skivvies when thinking about how the night balls would be like.

As the day would set, everyone would make their dinner and get ready for the big, long night of dancing that was waiting for us. Some relaxation before the gigs, more towards the end of the festival, due to tiredness and bad nights of sleep - to much dancing - we are all waiting for the music to come: pure magic and joy!

From the simplest cercles to the most elaborate valses, every dance had a tingle in it. Not one of uncomfortableness but rather a very intense and unbelievable felling that was running on my body. Nonetheless to say that, every night was full on of dancing, until the very last chord - appart from the second night when I went to the tent to get my camera and the tent took hover me hehe 

Every festival/folk gathering that I go to has a different mood to it. However, all of them share the same basic things: friendship, companionship, share, love for the food ^^ music, dance - obviously - and most of all, love!

Thanks you all!