Cassis by the sea
When my third call to a taxi went directly to voicemail, I was nervous. It was after 8pm, on Friday night and everyone who got off train in Cassis had already left the station. I tried to order an Uber and quickly realized that Cassis was not in the Uber network. There were three taxi options listed on google. The first driver answered but was at the Marseille airport. The other two calls went to voicemail.I read on line that without a car, transportation options in Cassis were limited. It was the first time since we've been in France that I felt stuck."What time is it?" Sadie asked. She reminded me that we hadn't had dinner. Brewster was off shooting the beautiful sunset with his camera. But when we came back, he knew that we were in a pickle.A couple walked up to the station. I overheard them speaking English. Trying not to sound desperate, I said, "Hi there. Do you have a car? We need a ride into town." I smiled. I knew the kids were wondering if I was really asking these strangers for a ride."No. We left our car in town but we just walked here and it is pretty easy. " The guy pulled out his phone and showed us the way on google maps."Is it safe?" I asked. "Yes, definitely. It's flat and the path is lit. We're waiting for our friend's train and then we'll be going back that way." I sighed with relief, thanked them and left.We walked along the moonlit vineyards down towards the sea. Brewster was amazing. Talking, talking, talking. He told us the story behind the Star Spangled Banner and kept Sadie occupied. I really hadn't anticipated walking two miles before dinner but it was a beautiful evening. The temperature was prefect and no one was miserable. Grateful for my kid's positive attitude, I remembered once again the importance of staying flexible while traveling.It was after 9pm when we arrived to the tiny port of Cassis. We were tired. Above the town was the Cassis castle, lit up like a fairy tale. 
Town was abuzz. People packed the seaside restaurants. Down an alley, we found a table at Casa Roma, a small pizza place. We dropped our bags and ordered dinner. They charged us by the weight of the pizza. Maybe that is the way they sell it in Italy? We were relieved to be sitting down and not walking.I texted the taxi driver who had been in Marseille and was relieved when he responded. We met him after dinner and he gave us a ride up the hill to our airbnb. It was dark and difficult to find, but before long, we were through the gate and inside our apartment.The accommodations were small but suitable. Sadie and I slept in the bedroom and Brewster spread out in the living room on a pull-out couch. He was very pleased that there was air conditioning. For the rest of the weekend we called his space the "refrigerator."I woke up the next morning wondering where we were in relation to town and more importantly, a meal. I was unsure if we were close enough to walk. It seemed like a long way in the taxi. However, I knew we were a half mile from the beautiful resort Hôtel Les Roches Blanches. Matt and I had visited my Mom's college roommate, Jinx and her husband Peter Ring at that resort fourteen years ago when we were in France with my family. We spent the day at the pool and on the calanques which are the cliffs overlooking the Med.
Town was abuzz. People packed the seaside restaurants. Down an alley, we found a table at Casa Roma, a small pizza place. We dropped our bags and ordered dinner. They charged us by the weight of the pizza. Maybe that is the way they sell it in Italy? We were relieved to be sitting down and not walking.I texted the taxi driver who had been in Marseille and was relieved when he responded. We met him after dinner and he gave us a ride up the hill to our airbnb. It was dark and difficult to find, but before long, we were through the gate and inside our apartment.The accommodations were small but suitable. Sadie and I slept in the bedroom and Brewster spread out in the living room on a pull-out couch. He was very pleased that there was air conditioning. For the rest of the weekend we called his space the "refrigerator."I woke up the next morning wondering where we were in relation to town and more importantly, a meal. I was unsure if we were close enough to walk. It seemed like a long way in the taxi. However, I knew we were a half mile from the beautiful resort Hôtel Les Roches Blanches. Matt and I had visited my Mom's college roommate, Jinx and her husband Peter Ring at that resort fourteen years ago when we were in France with my family. We spent the day at the pool and on the calanques which are the cliffs overlooking the Med.
Our train from Cassis didn't leave until 3pm. So we went for a swim both in the pool and in the Sea. The ladder that we saw the day before wasn't quite what we thought. It was only one metal rung but we didn't realize that until we were trying to get out. The surf was picking up and it was a struggle for Brewster to get his leg up on the rung. Fortunately, there was a fisherman nearby who lent us a hand and pulled us up. "I didn't like that" Brewster said after. No, neither did I.A pool man had come that morning to clean the pool. Brewster and I waited on the side of the pool while he did his thing and we chatted. This guy was so French wearing white jeans, without a shirt. I commented to Brewster that he was wearing an Hermès belt. I recognized the H and laughed thinking, 'Only in Cassis'. 
Then, a gorgeous woman walked up the path with her cleaning supplies and Chanel purse. It was like St Barths! I introduced myself and when she said her name, I realized that I had been in touch with her about renting the apartment. She was the either property manager or the owner.When we left the house to go for our dip in the sea, there was a matte black Aventador Lamborghini in our driveway as well as a Porsche Cayenne. Brewster was FREAKING out. 
As I mentioned in an earlier post, Brewster loves Lamborghinis. He was jumping up and down, walking around it fully checking it out. "This is my dream car! Matte black, Aventador! Oh my God, Oh my God." He was so pumped. We were so curious. Who's car was it? The pool man or the cleaner?When the pool guy left, we peeked through the bushes to see what car he drove. When he opened up the Porsche's front door, Brewster whispered "It's hers!" But then, he opened up the Lamborghini door. Brewster scooched over to get a better look at the Lamborghini door opening from the ground up. We were giggling, and I am quite sure the pool man saw us spying on him through the bushes. A few minutes later, the lady came down the path, hopped in the Porsche and drove away.We were dying! The Hermès-belt pool guy drove a Lamborghini! He started the car, pulled out of the driveway, closed the gate and ZOOMED down the road with a loud roar. Brewster threw his hands up in the air, falling back in the pool. Cassis!
Then, a gorgeous woman walked up the path with her cleaning supplies and Chanel purse. It was like St Barths! I introduced myself and when she said her name, I realized that I had been in touch with her about renting the apartment. She was the either property manager or the owner.When we left the house to go for our dip in the sea, there was a matte black Aventador Lamborghini in our driveway as well as a Porsche Cayenne. Brewster was FREAKING out. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Brewster loves Lamborghinis. He was jumping up and down, walking around it fully checking it out. "This is my dream car! Matte black, Aventador! Oh my God, Oh my God." He was so pumped. We were so curious. Who's car was it? The pool man or the cleaner?When the pool guy left, we peeked through the bushes to see what car he drove. When he opened up the Porsche's front door, Brewster whispered "It's hers!" But then, he opened up the Lamborghini door. Brewster scooched over to get a better look at the Lamborghini door opening from the ground up. We were giggling, and I am quite sure the pool man saw us spying on him through the bushes. A few minutes later, the lady came down the path, hopped in the Porsche and drove away.We were dying! The Hermès-belt pool guy drove a Lamborghini! He started the car, pulled out of the driveway, closed the gate and ZOOMED down the road with a loud roar. Brewster threw his hands up in the air, falling back in the pool. Cassis!