Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a butcher in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie ain’t for the faint-hearted. Woke up this mornin’ thinkin’ it’d be just another chill day, ya know? But nah, life had other plans.
First off, I hit the market on Rue de la Plage. The sun was shinin’, people were buzzin’, and I was feelin’ good. I mean, who wouldn’t? The smell of fresh bread from the boulangerie was like a warm hug. But then, BAM! I step into my shop, and it’s like a scene from a horror movie. My meat cooler? Totally broken. I’m talkin’ meat sweatin’ like it’s in a sauna. Ugh!
So, I’m freakin’ out, right? I call up my buddy, Jean-Claude. He’s the local handyman, but he’s always busy fixin’ his own messes. I’m like, “Dude, I need ya!” He’s like, “I’ll be there in a jiffy.” Spoiler alert: jiffy means an hour in Jean-Claude time.
While I’m waitin’, I start chattin’ with Mrs. Dupont. She’s a regular, always buyin’ her sausages. She’s tellin’ me about her cat, Moustache. I swear, that cat has more personality than half the people in this town. She goes on about how Moustache caught a mouse the other day. I’m like, “Great, now I’m jealous of a cat.”
Finally, Jean-Claude shows up, and he’s got this look on his face like he just woke up from a nap. I’m like, “Dude, my meat’s about to go bad!” He rolls his eyes and gets to work. Meanwhile, I’m tryin’ to keep the customers happy.
Then, outta nowhere, this kid runs in. He’s like, “Mister, can I have a sausage?” I’m like, “Sure, kid. But you gotta promise to share with Moustache.” He laughs, and I’m thinkin’, “Man, kids are the best.”
But then, the door swings open, and in walks the mayor. Yeah, the actual mayor! I’m thinkin’, “What’s he doin’ here?” He starts askin’ about my special cuts. I’m like, “Dude, I’m just tryin’ to save my meat!” But he’s all about the local economy and supportin’ small businesses. I’m like, “Yeah, yeah, but can you help me fix my cooler?”
After a while, Jean-Claude finally gets the cooler workin’. I’m so relieved, I could’ve kissed him. But then, I remember he’s got a thing for fixing things, not for hugs. So, I just give him a pat on the back.
The day rolls on, and I’m finally catchin’ my breath. I step outside for a sec, and the view of the ocean from the Promenade de la Mer is just stunning. The waves crashin’, the seagulls squawkin’—it’s like a postcard. I’m thinkin’, “This is why I love this place.”
But then, I see a guy tryin’ to fish off the pier. He’s got his line tangled, and I’m like, “Dude, you’re gonna catch more seaweed than fish.” He looks at me, all frustrated, and I can’t help but laugh.
As the sun starts settlin’ down, I wrap up my day. I’m exhausted but happy. Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, man, it’s got its quirks, but it’s home. I love the chaos, the people, the stories.
So, yeah, that was my day. Just another wild ride in this little slice of paradise. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!