6
months. Half a year. That is about how long I have walked the streets
of La Roche Sur-Yon, and lived casually among the pleasant Vendéens. I
like to think that after so much time that I have seen it all. My
French, although not perfect, is at least respectable, and my life in
the Western France has become so habitual that I can call it home.
The
most beautiful thing about my journey is that it is not a definitive
experience. It is not as simple as baguettes & brie, or weekend
trips to Paris. The most enduring jewel is that no matter how long I
have been here I can still be surprised. There is always something,
someone, some moment, where my expectations are humbled, and once again I
find myself back where it all began. A baby to the world. An exchange
student open to adventure.
I
was returning to La Roche when I saw a store whose sign said
“Braderie”, which is interestingly close to my name “Bradley”. I quickly
took to the internet and discovered that it is a type of clearance sale
and that there is even a verb, brader, which means to dispose or to have clearance sale.
Bradley - ley = Brad
Braderie - erie = Brad
Close enough.
I had to know more.
I
went in search of the store, but it wasn’t there. I walked the streets I thought I knew so well, in search of
something that seems to be a dream. It was like it never
existed. All hope was lost until I came
across this.
A flier. A sign. A revelation.
This time I had it right, and as I walked into the city center the signs were as clear as Christmas.
Women
took to the streets in search of sales, which only a proper braderie
could provide. Shoes, shoes, shoes, and other things, littered the
sidewalk, all available at record prices, and I, Bradley (or Bradlé) was
there to see it.
Everyone seemed to be in a good mood.
Various
stores throughout the city were apart of a Braderie Alliance, heaven
bent on bringing dirt cheap sales to the public. If they had something to get rid of the simply put it on a rack in front of the store with a braderie sign. I felt a strange sense
of pride, as if I had something to do with it all. The braderie is a
part of me. Literally.
Loose name associations and ego aside, it is wonderful to see that after 6 months my small Vendéen city still has a few surprises. I imagine that as long as I keep my eyes open I can always find something interesting.
