Medieval Madness

 Every August 15, Monflanquin gets a Medieval Makeover for the annual Medieval Festival.  Ten pigs are roasted on a spit. Wild boar and sausages are served in food stands. Drinks include a beverage called Donkey's Piss and Medieval Meed.   People parade in glorious Medieval costumes. Music, dancing, flag waving, and reenactment of Medieval life abound in the streets and alley ways of the village.  We enjoy watching a jousting tournament, a choreographed dog herding duck and geese program, elegant French dressage, snake tricks, and more.  Hundreds of people pour into the village for a couple of days of festivity.  Tourists love it, locals not so much.

Herding dog named Darkness stands guard,

 Our visiting family finds the shows highly entertaining. My favorite would be the dog leading his web footed prodigies through an intricate dance routine then showing us his talent for math and counting.

I do like to get into the spirit of the festival by dressing up a little. Many refuse finding the weather too hot for costumes. The Medieval Market down the hill sells beautiful leather wares, jewelry, books, and accessories in accordance with the festival theme. 

In this picture below, I am posing in front of our house. Unfortunately, the grapes above the door suffered from extremely cold then extremely hot weather this summer. By the time they ripen, I am at home in the classroom for another term. Hopefully, neighbors get to enjoy them.

We are planning to leave the village tomorrow. I have spend the last few days packing away valuables, giving final instructions to the family staying on, and saying my good-byes. The good-byes feel flat. I am too tired and numb to feel anything.  Leaving is so hard.

Me in my Medieval Garb