Biarritz (France) | Mirror Mirror - Day 84

This is a bit of a strange time in my travels. I am spending several days backtracking to cities I have previously visited while taking the time to run errands. Accordingly, over the last few days, I didn't take nearly as many photos as I have in the past. However, Bordeaux offered me novel opportunities, and it was refreshing to be back in this lovely city.

Once my plane landed in Bordeaux, I picked up an hour due to switching time zones. I am now 8 hours ahead of the Mountain Standard Time zone. So when I finally woke up this morning, I was surprised it was nearly 10 am. I want to visit the Quicksilver surf shop this morning to find a pair of shorts that will double as swim trunks. 

Today, I feel like I like a Bordeaux pro again. I'm recalling all my travel info experiences here much easier today. So, I buy my ticket, climb aboard Tram C, and head to La Place de la Bourse. The sun is right. What does the reflecting pool look like this morning? Will I be able to get that iconic reflection photo this time?

I step off the tram and head east to the reflecting pond. It isn't fair to call it a pool. The water is only 2-3 inches (7.5 cm) deep. People are already playing in the reflecting pool. I can see a slight reflection when the water is still, but just as the image clears up, someone disturbs the water again. I am unsure how I will get a decent photo this morning. Nevertheless, I pull out my phone, open the camera app, and start focusing. Holy crap! This camera is incredible! I am so perplexed by how great the shot looks that I put my phone down to confirm what I see. Then I notice it. The reflecting pool is draining. As it does, the mirror effect intensifies. The added bonus is that people are now leaving the pool. There is no more water to play in. I finally got the shot I wanted. 

Then I walk around the north side and take this beautiful photo. The tiny moment presents itself pretty early today. I think to myself, how fortunate am I to have been here at the very moment the pool drained and on a day when I only had a few hours in Bordeaux? What a great city!

On my way to the shop, I pass this comedic duo attached high up to a drain pipe. I look around. I have no idea how someone stuck these guys on the side of the building. No windows are nearby, and the duo sits probably 15' (4.5 m) high. Nevertheless, seeing these two this morning makes me chuckle. I love how the ears on the hound are flared out like airplane wings.

I finally found what I have been seeking. Quicksilver surf company makes excellent products, and I have been a fan for decades. So I was thrilled when I saw a Quicksilver shop in Bordeaux! After trying on several pairs of board shorts, I decide to embrace my inner phoenix and settle on this colorful pair. Even better, the shorts were 50% off today as it is the end of the season sale. I laugh as I walk out of the store and think, You can take the kid out of California, but you can't take California out of the kid. I grew up in southern California in the United States and just love this style of shorts. They are incredibly breathable, lightweight, and super comfortable. Perfect for walking the Camino. The only drawback is they lack functional pockets, which I can tolerate since I have my backpack.

On the south end of Bordeaux, I see this strange cube building as I walk back to the Hostel. This area is transitioning to more modern architecture, and the blue cube reminds me of Belfast, United Kingdom's yellow city hospital building. I pause to admire it and wonder what its purpose is. As I stand there, I notice that I am really fond of ultra-modern minimalist and ancient stone buildings. I know, what a strange contrast. I wonder how I would feel living in a city where the only buildings that existed were these modern cube structures. This is why I like to visit cities like Bristol and Bordeaux. Bristol's integration of modern is more pronounced, whereas Bordeaux's modern buildings are subtly hidden on the edges of the town.

The 2.5-hour train ride to Biarritz, France, is peaceful. I've noticed that most train lines are not very scenic in France. So, I use the time to update my blog. Once I leave the Biarritz train station, this strange oddity catches my eye. It is a pizza vending machine. It claims to prepare a pizza while you wait. While looking up schedules, three brave teenagers arrive and begin ordering. I am intrigued and want to see the final product. Unfortunately, my bus arrives across the street, so I leave them to enjoy this novelty.

Biarritz is located in southwestern France, in the Basque part. The tiny town of 25,000 people draws quite a tourist crowd during the summer months. It also has a rich surfing history, and Biarritz was the first place in Europe where American filmmakers introduced surfing in 1957. Surfing is still very popular, especially along the Plage de la Côte des Basque (Basque Coast Beach).

Sophie, my host, is a history professor in Biarritz. She gets me acquainted with her place and pets. She has two dogs and a cat. Danka the Huskie, Cora the Whippet, and her black cat Denzel. Denzel is named after her favorite actor Denzel Washington. After getting acquainted, I head out to explore briefly before dinner. I try to find super hosts when I travel on Airbnb. These hosts also love to travel and frequently visit with travelers like me. Hosts like Sophie and many others I've met so far enrich my travels, and I am grateful for them.

A few minutes from the house, I walk by this lovely house at a roundabout. It is one of my favorite murals thus far. It is hard to tell that it is painted in this photo. The scene looks so lifelike. What a great way to spruce up a bland side of a building on a busy stretch of road. 

I head straight for the beach. Biarritz has several great beaches, including the Plage de la Côte des Basque. However, it is late in the day, and the tide is high, so most surfers are done for the day. I am surprised at how far down the cliff the beach is from here.

The Pampas Grass plumes are lovely today as they dance in the cool Atlantic breeze. Biarritz has a fantastic scenic coastline.

I round the point and can see Plage Miramar. I am impressed with this little beach town so far.

This lone pink rhododendron blossom catches my eye. I reflect on how this is an excellent representation of how I occasionally feel. Surrounded by peers, I seem to be operating on my own timeline, sometimes making me a bit of an outcast. Yet, I also know I shine the brightest when I embrace this fully. So although I've never been afraid to go against the grain, this photo reminds me to lean into this part of my personality. 

I find a table at the Bistro des Halles along a quiet street. The breeze is lovely tonight, and I notice Razor clams on the menu. The last time I had these was on the Oregon Coast, where they pound them flat and bread them. They are pan-fried in the shell and served with butter, garlic white wine sauce. I prefer them this way.

After my appetizer, I order the Thon Blanc (Albacore Tuna) with ratatouille (Rat-tat-too-eee) and a small green salad. The 1/2 in (1.25 cm) thick Albacore steak is lightly grilled on both sides to perfection. Albacore is my favorite tuna, and I love it when it is seared this way. It has a silky mouth feel and rich flavor that you don't get in other tuna. Tonight is covered in pesto chives sauce. Ratatouille is a classic French peasant dish that originated in Nice. I absolutely love it! Tonight is a perfect compliment to the tuna. Ratatouille is stewed vegetables, usually consisting of tomatoes, onions, and green and yellow squash.

I am loving Biarritz so far. The scenery and the gastronomy I experienced today are a great way to start my stay here. Can't wait to discover more about this area tomorrow.