Almost everyday of our week in the Lot, We drove by the small town of Gramat. A painted commercial sign from long ago on the side of an old stone building catches our eye although it is almost obscured by a leafy tree in front.
Charmed by the coquettish eyes of the moon and the moustache of and the beautiful, soft watercolor effect of age on the painted sign we stop on a sunny day to take pictures of it.
We've barely taken two steps from the car when M. Foufou sees a cute pair close by: un canard and une cane. The drake and the duck are irresistibly close, especially when he takes out a telephoto lens.
I am left holding the camera bag while he tries to approach as slowly and silently as he can. The ducks are totally aware of their photographer, registering his every move and the constant clicking the camera. As he gets nearer they begin to inch away. Soon enough their feathers have been ruffled from the photo shoot and they fly off.
We turn to leave and face a Frenchman. He speaks to M. Foufou and gestures at the ducks and then at me, "Madame". He smiles. Il parle trés rapide. He repeats himself, lentement. Slow enough for us to get the gist of his French remarques: If I were you I would be taking pictures of the beautiful woman and not the ducks.
Off we go to take a picture of a moon that we think is smiling, too. It's France- who's charming, who?
M. the abbreviation of Monsieur, requires a period
Mme the abbreviation Madame, no period
Il parle trés rapide He speaks very fast
lentement slowly
remarques comments
Les photos: Gramat, Mai 2009.
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