Today is 1 May, the French equivalent of our Labor Day. This means no running public transportation system and no open stores for the day. This day also means something else in Nantes: le muguet - a plant you and I know by another name: lily of the valley.
While it is sold all around France on this day, Nantes is particularly known for its muguet and ships it out all around the country each year. Here it is sold on almost every street corner as farmers come into the city to sell what they didn't ship out.
There are many customs and sayings that surround the flower. Men are supposed to buy it for women and, when given to them, the women are supposed to exchange the flower for a kiss. Stems bearing 13 flowers are a particularly good omen and insure good fortune for the year ahead.
We saw them, Darryl and I as we walked in Commerce today. After having heard me talk about the flower for nearly 2 weeks, she asked if I wanted to buy one from one of the many vendors. I hesitated for almost a minute before ultimately deciding not to buy a sprig for myself.
I love being here in France and witnessing the all culture and the customs, but I always hesitate when it comes to participating in events like le muguet. Yes, I know that no one would begrudge me a single flower and that the farmers would all be just as happy to have my money as anyone else's, but still I must recall this world is not mine and it's best that the good luck go to someone who can truly appreciate it.
Still, it's a wonderful thing to see and to experience just the same.
While it is sold all around France on this day, Nantes is particularly known for its muguet and ships it out all around the country each year. Here it is sold on almost every street corner as farmers come into the city to sell what they didn't ship out.
There are many customs and sayings that surround the flower. Men are supposed to buy it for women and, when given to them, the women are supposed to exchange the flower for a kiss. Stems bearing 13 flowers are a particularly good omen and insure good fortune for the year ahead.
We saw them, Darryl and I as we walked in Commerce today. After having heard me talk about the flower for nearly 2 weeks, she asked if I wanted to buy one from one of the many vendors. I hesitated for almost a minute before ultimately deciding not to buy a sprig for myself.
I love being here in France and witnessing the all culture and the customs, but I always hesitate when it comes to participating in events like le muguet. Yes, I know that no one would begrudge me a single flower and that the farmers would all be just as happy to have my money as anyone else's, but still I must recall this world is not mine and it's best that the good luck go to someone who can truly appreciate it.
Still, it's a wonderful thing to see and to experience just the same.
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