Pâques
So, is Easter (Pâques) in Biarritz different from Easter in Carmel? Not really. Like in most places, there's that religious aspect, and some attend church services. There are classic egg hunts for the little ones in the various parks around the ville, and the local shops and bakeries go all out with Easter-themed sweets and pastries. Everywhere you turn, there's chocolate galore: eggs, hens, bunnies, birds, even clocks filled with more chocolate. Clocks? I had to Google this. In France, chocolate bells, known as "cloche chocolat," are a popular Easter tradition. They symbolize the joyous return of church bells on Easter Sunday, ending the solemn period of Lent. Anyway, back to getting chocolates for the boys, Gabe and I had a blast going into Goxoak in the St. Charles neighborhood. It wasn’t easy to choose from all the amazing options, but after much deliberation, we settled on milk chocolate hens filled with chocolate pieces in feather or fish shapes.
It felt like this weekend marked the official start of the tourist season. Etxola Bibi is open! The outdoor markets were back offering everything from Basque shoes to fabric bags. The town was bustling, mostly with Spaniards taking advantage of their two-week break. The aisles the in Halles were packed, and even Lobita was too busy for a leisurely coffee and chat. I already find myself missing the calm of winter, when we strolled through the Halles at our own pace, exchanging pleasantries with the vendors and our local friends. But with the hustle and bustle comes the opening of all the seasonal spots along the coast, not to mention the fabulous weather.
We had Easter lunch with Stacey and the girls, Wendi, Sassoune, and their son Mikel. With the rainy weather forecast, our plans shifted to Wendi and Sassoune's place, where we were treated to quite the feast. Of course, Easter in France wouldn't be complete without lamb, and Stacey cooked it to perfection. Gabe made an incredible spider crab salad that he put inside of a Spanish tortilla. And being in France, we couldn't skip the cheese course, followed by a bunny-shaped cake made by Lexi, Evie, and Luke with Stacey's help. We lingered around the table until nearly 19h, enjoying each other's company and sipping on Mezcal, thanks to Wendi. (Luke left early to celebrate Emile's birthday with a game of paddel, followed by a sleepover, and a surf session the next day.) Charlie, Lexi, and Evie were having a good time watching YouTube shorts and taking Txoko on walks. Gabe, Charlie, and I eventually headed home, but the sunset was so gorgeous we spent it having a drink at La Surfing!
Easter Monday, or "Lundi de Pâques," continues the Easter celebrations. It's a day off from work and school, allowing families to spend more time together involving outdoor activities, picnics, and other festive gatherings. Luke was out with Emile, leaving us with a few hours to spare before lunch at Stacey's. So, what's the best way to enjoy a sunny day in Biarritz? A bike ride, of course! The only catch? Charlie had been adamantly declaring his aversion to biking. To entice him, we decided to rent one more ebike to add some extra fun. After some coaxing, I walked up to the rental shop and secured a B1 fat wheel Ebike, feeling a bit silly on this unconventional ride. But it seems everyone in Biarritz rides them, so why not give it a try? Pourquois pas? Charlie hopped on my ebike. Off we went, cruising towards Parlementia. The road wound through residential neighborhoods with traditional Basque houses, each with its own colorful shutters and unique charm. As we pedaled through the center of Bidart, people were leisurely sipping coffee or wine on the terraces, soaking in the beautiful day. Gabe and I agreed, this week we will come back and have lunch while the boys are in school. The entire route was on a designated bike path, and despite Charlie's initial reluctance, I could tell he was enjoying himself, even if he wouldn’t admit it.
After our ride, we headed to the Sivaks' place for a leftover feast. The Castros were returning from their Alpine adventure, and while they were away, Evie took on the role of the Easter Bunny. She left their house a Bunny Mess for Frankie and Wyatt to discover. When they arrived home and saw the evidence of the Easter Bunny's visit, they exclaimed in a loud whisper, "The Easter Bunny didn't forget us!" It was a moment of pure sweetness, and Evie was delighted by their reaction. Moments like these remind me of the pure goodness of true friends.
After eating and drinking, we decided to go to Etxola Bibi to play pétanque and drink Apérol Spritzes. What better way to greet spring than with an Apérol Spritz? Charlie had fun teaching Evie and Frankie how to play the game, and he couldn't hide his satisfaction with his accurate aim. I love seeing that boy smiling. Adding to a typical day on the Côte des Basques, a dark cloud loomed over the Atlantic, and we knew it would eventually bring rain our way. Did that stop us or anybody? Nope. Inevitably, the wind picked up and the rain came down. Despite the sudden change in weather, everyone remained gathered around Etxola Bibi, enjoying drinks, conversations, and games of pétanque. Within ten minutes, the cloud vanished, the sun returned, and we resumed activities as if nothing had happened. It was business as usual, with no one batting an eye at the unpredictable weather.
As spring unfolds, I welcome the sense of renewal seeing blooming flowers and budding trees. I am inspired, and I treasure this time, brimming with joy and gratitude. With only four months left of our European adventure, I'm reminded to seize every opportunity and relish each moment. I'm committed to fully embracing the present. It's a season for exploration, pushing boundaries, and embracing the unknown. As we reminisce about the incredible experiences of the past nine months, Gabe and I are filled with both gratitude for the memories made and anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. Meanwhile, Charlie is counting down the days until he sees Seve and returns home, while Luke is immersing himself in every moment, relishing time with friends, biking, surfing, shopping, studying—anything really. They're both fully immersed in this incredible experience, making the most of every opportunity that comes their way. Carpe Diem!
News Flash - Less than 116 days away from the Paris Olympics, RATP has changed the names of about fifteen stations. For instance, Taekwon Daumesnil, Alexandre Dumarathon, and Trocanoe are some examples on this 1 Avril. Really? I think not. Hahaha 1 Avril is called "Poisson d'Avril," which means "April Fish." People play tricks on each other, like putting paper fish on someone's back without them noticing. Everyone gets involved, even businesses and news outlets, sharing funny stories and jokes.
