Pains, Manes and Automobiles

Finally, got round to writing up the remainder of the trip, all documented in my notebook. I think I was craving some normality in my life for a short time, and recovering from my (expected) welcome home cold! x

Afternoon Friday 23rd May 2008

Of course it would be on the last day that we would find a cafe which serves food AND beer, as opposed to the other internet cafes we have found serving only teeny coffees and chocolate bars. And it's sunny again, but we are sat in a street completely in the shade!

We've just been sat next to a couple of very comical pugs, each perched on a chair, round a table with a plate of food on it. One of them had a crooked neck and neither of them were able to get off the chairs unaided!

Despite our best efforts, we still didn't make it in until 3pm. It may be sunny but I have given up trying to get a tan, and tomorrow is set to be cloudy for our journey home.

Andy is currently printing off new flyers for tonight's grande finale. We are pulling out all the stops. Popcorn as well as the complimentary wine, the screening of The Green Film Prize competition films and announcement of the winner, and the premiere of Cannes in a Van - The Documentary, filmed, edited and directed by Sharron Ward, director of Katalyst Productions, a TV documentary comapny based in London (how's that for a plug!). Oh what a night!

Cannes has been an amazing experience and a huge amount of fun but I feel a sense of relief that it is our last day. We have been on the Croisette 8 nights straight, screening films until 2 or 3am, spending the days getting ready for the nights, uploading the website and Stu has been editing like mad. It is pretty relentless. Not to mention the fact we were all working the week and day we left! Like pretty much everyone else we have spoken to in Cannes, it feels like we have been here for a month.

It's surprising how tiring it can be talking to people non stop all night, often trying my best to convey what we are doing in French. Most people have been really polite and interested but there is the odd drunk or cocky youth who ruin it.

And living with 2/3 guys in a caravan who I only met one or two months ago (and then only a handful of times) has been odd too. All we really knew of each other beforehand was a few nights out drinking and discussing what would happen in Cannes. I think considering the close proximity we have had with each other we have got on pretty well. Although my hair straightening and make-up applying appears to have been slightly bothersome at times. Given the fact that we are in a city swathed in glamour, I feel I should be entitled to a few minutes preening, which has mostly (and will tonight) taken place in the van or internet cafe toilets!

Cath xxx