I arrived to my Airbnb in Bordeaux yesterday, which is in the historic part of the city right by the theater, where I heard the choir practicing this afternoon and my jaw dropped in awe.
My host informed me that my place is without air conditioning; installation is not allowed in the historic part of the city. Still, the stone building keeps cool, and she left me instructions for how to keep it temperate during the day, and then refresh it at night. “At night, open everything and stir the air with the fan.”
So, I am here, back at home before going out to a cafe to write a bit more, after stopping on a quiet, tree-lined plaza, (“place” in French) on my slow way home after a high-energy spin class and a walk to an outdoor market, the fan gently blowing. I am stirring the air, and then staying still. Stirring, and stillness.
For Sam, who I am so happy to be visiting here in Bordeaux!