Biarritz: Day 5

Mom, I think I should just write to you everyday, because you respond to me every day! I will here offer a public "thank you" for always being supportive of me. I love you!

Ok, so you won't believe what I did tonight: I went to the races! That's right, I went to a horse derby. And, not only did I go to the races, I won! I won 30€ because my horse, lucky number 7 won the horse trot race #4. How incredible! Seriously, I wanted to pull out my Victorian laced dress, my grandiose sunbonnet and pale white parasol barely grawing my shoulder, drink tea (with raised pinkie, of course), and repose underneath the grand arbor. Wait, this is the 21st century, so there's no Victorian dress necessary.

As for the day, I went to Spain today, enjoying tapas at a small hole-in-the-wall eatery. Everything in Spain is petite. I love it. The roads are smaller than in France, something I thought impossible. I loved the long lawy afternoons that they enjoy in Spain every day. The rumors of Spain that you hear are certainly true: they repose every afternoon from 2pm to 5pm. It is as if the entire country shuts down for a siesta in the mid-afternoon. So, the family and I wandered into a small park with a carousel, and of course, little Domino had to ride! It was certainly an incredibly pleasant afternoon.

I was surprised to find Spain to be quiet. The country is not hustling and bustling the way America is. Of course, I only saw one ville, but even jsut the small picture of Spain I experienced was full of serenity. The lifestyle includes long dinners, long lunches, long siestas, and long conversations. Cafés galore, the city was only busy with people resting. Oh, that I could visit a place like St. Sebastian more often!

I have to admit that the world, beachside in Europe, is quite relaxing. You know that I am not particularly a "beach girl," but I will honestly say that I am enjoying the relaxing mornings coupled with long afternoons full of reading and resting. I've wondered how people survive here, but just as soon as I begin to question, I remember that people are more giving here in Europe than they are in America. The people are much more willing to lend than to take. Life is not so rigid and protective, and therefore people are at more liberty to enjoy living, rather than "make" living. I wonder often how America would change if they would just adopt the "pay it forward" mentality that so many people here have.

Ok, so the best part of my journey thus far is this: I am learning how to be productive without being stressed. Yes, you already know how to do that, but you are on the other side of the bridge, you see. You are already where I have yet to go. I am getting there. One day, I will too know how to enjoy life sans stress. It's a journey I am thoroughly enjoying, and I marvel at the adventures awaiting me on the next page in the book of my little life.