I have discovered that being in Cannes during the festival means you momentarily step out of the normality of life and find yourself swimming in a sea of new faces. Strolling down the now blocked-off Croisette brings a surge of excitement, because I know I'm a part of something so much bigger than I can imagine. Just a week ago, the sidewalks of Cannes were quiet and peaceful, just as any smaller city is on any given week-day. But now! How can I even explain the different types of people who have arrived in such a short amount of time?
...Street performers line the edges of sidewalks hoping to entertain and bring a smile to both young and old. I sat and watched one man in particular who spends every day dancing in slow motion to the tunes of Michael Jackson! The people crowd around him by the dozens and laughter can be heard down the street as he "moon walks" into the hearts of each spectator.
Heading down the sidewalk, just steps away, I observed a group of elderly men and woman sitting in beach chairs with umbrellas shading them from the hot Mediterranian sun. In true french fashion they each had a small dog accompanying them. That is one thing I will miss so much...the animals in France are so well-trained! Perhaps I remember this scene so vividly because it was a moment of familiarity amidst the masses around me.
You can tell the difference between tourists who just stumble upon the festival either because their cruise stops here for the day or because they are backpacking through Europe, and the people who are in Cannes specifically for the festival. The "cruisers" are usually a little overwhelmed by the amount of people and activity going on around them. They can be spotted by the lost stares and general confusion on their faces, while the people who are here for the festival always seem to have somewhere to go. There is a sense of purpose in their walk...an air of importance. A part of you wants to follow them just to see where it is they are headed in such a hurry. Such a change from the leisurly strolls I've grown accustomed to in Cannes.
As the festival continues, it will be interesting to see the people come and go...leaving their mark on Cannes...and on my memory forever...