1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 503 Let's go register!
Ronan and Zoe changed into their third outfit at the St. Victor Abbey.

This time, Ronan was finally satisfied.

Cargo pants paired with a sleeveless linen shirt, and a leather shepherd's bag slung across his body, finally made him look like a couple with Zoe's indigo linen shepherd's skirt, olive green scarf, and Roman-style leather sandals.

“Hakimi, if being a photographer can’t cover your daily expenses, I suggest you take on some part-time jobs, like tailoring. You have a lot of talent for it.”

After several rounds of shooting, Ronan was extremely impressed with Hakimi's styling abilities.

The moment they put on the clothes, he and Zoe were transported back to the Middle Ages, specifically to medieval Provence.

He had watched some TV dramas on Provence's local television station with his mother, Feng Zhen. Shepherds and their wives dressed exactly the same way back then.

"Haha, I'll seriously consider it." Hakimi led the young couple to the next filming location, which was also near the monastery, but it was a bit of a mountain path to walk.

Zoe also offered her suggestions:

"Or you could do some part-time work related to 'speaking,' you are the artist I have ever met who is best at 'interpreting' works."

Although the finished film hasn't been seen yet, Hakimi's interpretations during filming are enough to make Ronan and Zoe willingly pay for it.

"This set of photos symbolizes that love is not afraid of the span of time, status, or perspective."

Love is eternal, yet fleeting.

"The bride wearing the groom's coat symbolizes physical belonging, while the handwritten marriage contract represents spiritual belonging."

Listen to it, listen to it now!

What a magnificent artistic interpretation! It's the kind of interpretation that can be read aloud at a wedding.

Hakimi, standing in front, chuckled and said:

"I hope God will bless me so that I can make a living by taking photos, otherwise Provence will give birth to a great rural poet."

After walking for about half an hour, the three of them finally unlocked a new environment—a shepherd's hut on the mountain.

Although living space had been severely compressed, shepherds still existed in Provence in 1987 and remained an indispensable part of Mediterranean culture.

Whether it's a star village like Mena or Gold, a small town like Aix and Apte, or the newly emerging Lourmaran, you can see shepherds continuing their way of life from hundreds of years ago in the mountains, on the edge of the forest, and in the caves.

While Ronan and Zoe admired the pristine landscape, Hakimi was already at work, skillfully setting up a clothesline outside the stone house.

"I'll go inside and see if I can find any useful tools." With that, Hakimi bowed and went into the stone house.

You can pick up a prop that's lying on the ground, but you can't go into someone's house to pick up a prop. Ronan was indeed unfamiliar with the special local laws of Provence, but he was absolutely certain that it was illegal.

"Hakimi, let's find some props outside. If something goes missing from inside, we won't be able to explain it," Ronan said anxiously through the crack in the door.

A beret appeared from the gap:

What explanation is needed for taking things from one's own home?

Before Ronan and Zoe could react, Hakimi shoved a black shepherd's cane into Ronan's hand:

"Hide it quickly, don't let my dad find out I took his 'treasure'."

Ronan, finally realizing what had happened, was even more speechless.

We're already at home, why are we still using someone else's props?
The photos taken against this backdrop have a very everyday feel.

For example, young couples might feed each other goat cheese, knead dough together, or playfully fight with flour, all of which take place in front of a wooden table covered with a local floral print cloth in front of the clothesline.

Hakimi told Ronan and Zoe that the clothesline and the happy couple in the shot symbolized that love is an intertwining of life and romance.

After marveling at Hakimi's artistic interpretation skills for a while, Zoe asked about his family:

"Because this is your home, you are good friends with all the farmers around you?"

While directing Ronan and Zoe to strike new poses, Hakimi took a moment to answer:
“I’ve been away from home for a long time, and my dad lives here by himself.”

Ronan glanced back at the house:
"Your father isn't home?"

Hakimi straightened up:
"He probably rode his bike to the supermarket."

Although there's nothing wrong with any of the individual words, it just feels strange in this context.

Shepherds are a synonym for history and local customs; this profession existed even before the ancient Romans conquered the land and has continued for over a thousand years.

So shepherds can ride bikes and go to supermarkets too!
Seemingly noticing Ronan and Zoe's confusion, Hakimi smiled and explained:

"In recent years, the livestock industry has been undergoing significant changes. Shepherds have been exposed to many new devices, and it's not what it used to be. Don't be fooled by how desolate this place looks; can you believe it's electrified? Of course, there are also side effects, namely that modern technology has driven them to even more remote pastoral areas."

Hakimi pointed in the direction they came from and said:
“When I was a child, it only took me 30 minutes to get to the city center of Aix-en-Provence. Now, it takes 1 minutes to drive here and then an hour to walk on mountain roads. Haha, it’s a good thing my dad bought a bicycle, otherwise he would have a hard time going shopping.”

Zoe and Hakimi were classmates, but they had never heard these stories before:

"I thought you had always lived in Aix."

“Our generation is not content to inherit the shepherd’s cane of our ancestors; we want to create new miracles with our own hands,” Hakimi said with a smile and a sigh. “But after going to the big cities, we still feel that this place is the most beautiful, and we only film things related to the countryside. The shepherd’s cane has become a camera.”

Ronan felt particularly bad.

In 1987, although the number of shepherds had decreased significantly, there were still some.

But after 2005, shepherds completely 'disappeared' in France. There are still some guys who call themselves 'shepherds', but they are all actors and only appear in tourist areas.

The nearly 20 years in between were a slow death process—the shepherd, a profession that had existed for more than 2000 years, disappeared silently from Provence and from everyone's sight.

The profession may disappear, but the memories will not.
"Come back here more often to take pictures." Ronan looked around. "This place is absolutely beautiful."

Hakimi proudly raised his chin:
"You think this place is beautiful too, right? Let me tell you, this place is even more beautiful and stunning in photos. You will definitely be satisfied with these photos, I swear!"

"By the way, what about those alternative symbols you mentioned? When are we going to film them?" Ronan asked, changing the subject.

Hakimi previously said that although people of the opposite sex cannot make intimate gestures when taking photos in Provence, there are many alternatives.

Hakimi waved to Ronan:

"Don't rush, don't rush, we need some props, which we haven't 'found' yet."

Hakimi acted quickly; after filming the environment of the shepherd's hut, he immediately took Ronan and Zoe to 'collect' props.

"The parish of Avignon forbids kissing during photos, so the wise people of Provence invented the gesture of biting an olive branch together, symbolizing the touch of lips." "The groom holds a sickle, and the bride holds a sheaf of wheat or other farm tools, crossing them into an X shape, which is a substitute for an embrace. Believe it or not, this is something only genuine Provençal farmers know, and I wouldn't tell just anyone."

"Our ancestors were so clever! They wanted to touch noses but were afraid of being immoral, so they used the metaphor of two people smelling a bunch of lavender together. Oh my, yes, that's it! You two are so in sync."

Picking up items and taking photos along the way, Hakimi also shared his knowledge. Before he knew it, the sun was setting, and today's wedding photo shoot was coming to an end, but Hakimi insisted on taking one more set.

He encountered several sheep while 'picking up' props by the roadside.

How can a Provençal countryside-themed wedding photoshoot be complete without sheep?

But these actors wouldn't obediently cooperate like Ronan and Zoe, going east when told to go east, and west when told to go west. Hakimi's clothes were soaked, and not a single sheep obeyed his commands.

“I think we’ve taken enough photos, so let’s call it a day,” Zoe said, looking at Ronan. “We took a lot of photos today, and Ronan and I are both quite satisfied.”

The wedding photoshoot had a story, visuals, and metaphors; the outfits changed constantly; and a photographer very familiar with rural themes was in charge. This wedding photoshoot was even more successful and smoother than Zoe had imagined.

Whether or not there are photos of these sheep is really irrelevant, especially since she can see that Hakimi has used all his skills to move these sheep around, but the sheep aren't cooperating.

Hakimi was so angry that he took off his beret, his tone full of resentment:
"When I was a child, I could guide sheep for 2 kilometers with salt blocks. Why doesn't it work now? Could it be that these sheep have undergone genetic mutations due to modern technology in raising them?"

Ronan seemed to see himself in it:

"I also think that sheep have mutated genetically, and they are all smarter than humans."

“Oh, no, no.” Hakimi continued with one last attempt. “Sheep are stupid; they don’t know anything except how to eat.”

“That’s my dog ​​that’s become a spirit,” Ronan complained to Zoe. “You know what? This morning it dragged me to the food street. I really suspect there’s a person under its sheepskin.”

"Do you have sheep?" Hakimi asked in surprise.

Zoe nodded gently and said happily:
"Ronan and I keep one at home."

Huhu is adapting very well to Ronan's house. Apart from fighting with his nemesis Marseille a few times a day, there are no other major problems. He can eat, drink and sleep well.

Huhu, who loves freedom, really enjoys this new environment; she's finally free from living in a fenced-off area.

Zoe finally felt relieved after months of worry, and the thought of it made her happy.

Hakimi's mood was ruined by these extras, and he said in a vicious tone:
"Why keep these things? They only make you angry and can't provide any other emotional value."

Ronan raised an eyebrow smugly and said to Hakimi:

"I've trained that sheep to be completely obedient. Every time it sees me, it looks so eager to please me. Don't even mention it. Come visit my house sometime."

Hakimi, born into a family of shepherds, became immediately interested upon hearing Ronan's words:
"Really? Then I'll have to bring my camera and take pictures of it. If it doesn't cooperate, I won't pay the 'model' fee."

Zoe patted Ronan on the back with immense pride:
"Ronan and Huhu are going to participate in a goat race this month. I'm hiring you to film the whole thing. Give me a quote later."

Hakimi is talented and capable, and should have more opportunities to showcase his abilities.

"A goat race?" Hakimi looked Ronan up and down in disbelief. "Even professional shepherds wouldn't dare to participate. Are you sure Ronan can do it?"

The finished product will take several days to be available, and Hakimi will need further processing, which will take even longer.

He would turn the photos into beautiful albums with covers inlaid with dried lavender flowers.

After a few discussions, the group decided to exchange wedding photos on the day of the goat race.

There's a considerable distance between X and Lourmaran, and it's still travel season, plus they have another chance to meet this month, so they shouldn't waste time on the road.

After parting ways with Hakimi, Ronan and Zoe drove to the hotel where Leah and the others were staying in Exeter; it was too late to go back.

Today is a memorable day. The young couple had a very successful set of wedding photos, so they had to take the women and girls, who had been busy in a foreign land for several days, out for a nice meal.

Leah and the others had returned to their lodgings, and they were all excited to hear that they were going out for dinner.

These past few days have been nothing but work, it's time to relax.

Besides Ronan's restaurant, these women rarely dine out. They've heard that Aix is ​​a culinary paradise and want to go out and experience it for themselves.

However, when Ronan was counting heads, he discovered that one person was missing:

"Where is Isabel?"

He felt that the cheers just now lacked some momentum, and he didn't hear Isabel's loud voice.

Leah said with a smile:

"Isabel and Vieri went out."

Ronan and Zoe were both taken aback.

The gossip about Vieri and Isabelle was always discussed secretly in private; they never talked about it publicly.

Because they felt that young people needed space, and these two stubborn guys always acted like sworn enemies, the elders probably wouldn't notice anything amiss unless they looked closely. There was no need for them to say anything.

"Huh? Ah! Ah!" Leah's reaction left Ronan unsure of the situation, so he pretended to be clueless and said, "You went out to buy something, didn't you? Hmm, you're busy with important business."

Leah smiled even more broadly:

"No, Vieri and Isabel went to eat, and the two of them left as soon as they packed up."

Zoe stared wide-eyed at Ronan.

God, did I hear that right?

Is this still my brother Vieri?

Ronan gently patted Zoe's hand a few times.

I knew Vieri's adolescence was coming to an end, didn't I?
Can he remain allergic to 'intimate relationships' for the rest of his life?

Early the next morning.

Ronan and Zoe drove back to Lourmaran.

After the wedding photos were taken, it was time to take care of another important matter—marriage registration.

Due to religious reasons, Provence has many rules not only for taking photos, but also for registering marriages. It's best to get it done early for peace of mind.

(End of this chapter)