Man, what a day! I swear, being a telephone operator in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse is like riding a rollercoaster blindfolded. So, I roll into work, right? The sun’s shining, birds are chirping, and I’m thinking, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First call comes in. It’s this lady from Rue de la République. She’s all frantic, like her cat’s stuck in a tree or something. I’m like, “Lady, it’s a cat, not a rocket launch!” But she’s crying, and I’m trying to be all sympathetic. I mean, I love cats, but c’mon! So, I send the fire brigade. They’re probably just gonna roll up, grab the cat, and be like, “What’s next? A dog in a well?”
Then, outta nowhere, I get a call from some dude on Rue de la Gare. He’s yelling about a traffic jam. Like, dude, it’s Saint-Rémy! We don’t have traffic jams! But apparently, some guy thought it was a good idea to park his car on the sidewalk. I’m like, “Bro, this ain’t Paris!” I can’t even.
So, I’m juggling calls, right? And then, I get this call from a guy on Avenue de la Libération. He’s super chill, just wants to know where the best baguette is. I’m like, “Dude, you’re in France! Just follow your nose!” But he insists on directions. I’m like, “Take a left at the fountain, then right at the bakery. You can’t miss it!”
And then, BOOM! My phone rings again. It’s a lady from Rue des Écoles. She’s all panicked about a missing dog. I’m like, “Lady, it’s a dog, not a missing person!” But she’s crying, and I’m feeling all the feels. So, I tell her to check the park. I mean, it’s Saint-Rémy! Dogs love that place!
By now, I’m running on caffeine and sheer willpower. I glance out the window, and it’s like a scene from a movie. The sun’s setting over the Chevreuse Valley, and I’m thinking, “Wow, this place is beautiful.” But then, my phone rings again. It’s the fire brigade! They’re stuck in traffic! I’m like, “Seriously? In Saint-Rémy?”
I can’t even. I’m about to lose it. But then, I remember the little things. Like the way the locals wave at each other on Rue de la Mairie. Or how the kids play soccer in the square. It’s those moments that make it all worth it.
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted, but I can’t help but smile. I mean, yeah, it was chaotic, but it’s my chaos. Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse is my home. And even on the craziest days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
So, I head home, thinking about that cat, the traffic jam, and the missing dog. I laugh to myself. Only in Saint-Rémy, right? Only in Saint-Rémy.