Just borrowing SM characters - thanks Steph!
This is what I fantasized about all summer long as we vacationed on the lake among the vineyards. No joke. I even drove around the small town and snapped photos of the locations I will be writing about. I am really excited about this little project, I think it will be so much fun to write :)
BPOV from here on out (unless noted)
The hot summer air rushed at my face as I stepped out of the air conditioned bus. Heaving my backpack onto my shoulder, I turned to face Angela and Jessica. Angela was busy looking at all the notes she had made about Osirus Canada, the small town we would be staying in that summer. Jessica was busy eyeing the boys hopping off the bus behind us, and batting her eyelashes at anything with a penis.
Osirus had been a compromise decision. Jessica had wanted to backpack through Tuscany, and Angela had wanted to stay close to home. I preferred somewhere that was cheap, easy to get to (and conversely get out of if need be), and where they spoke English.
Angela had joined a backpackers' message board and saw some of the posters mention Canada's only natural desert and the wine country of the North, Osirus. Apparently, backpackers could work on local farms and vineyards during the summer in exchange for free room and board. Beautiful weather with plenty of hot dry sunshine was all but guaranteed in the summer months here. And the best part was that it was about a 7 hour drive from Forks, meaning if it sucked we could leave, and all of our parents were happy we were still on the continent.
To be honest, the idea of backpacking after graduating from high school seemed so cliché to me, I felt a bit foolish doing it, but Angela and Jessica were determined I was going with them even if they had to stick me in their pack and carry me around. I eyed the size of Jessica's backpack and realized that wasn't as far fetched as it sounded – that girl had a pack the size of a body on her back, filled to the brim with her "essentials" as she called them. I chuckled at the thought of what she would call essentials, most likely 4 cans of hairspray and a home waxing kit, just in case. What a nut.
So here we were, starting our backpacking adventure the summer after graduation. The plan, hatched over many long lunches in the school cafeteria was to find work in a vineyard. That was the concession Angela and I decided to give to Jessica. She wanted Tuscany and got Canada, the least we could do was let her work in a vineyard. Besides, we figured it would be much easier to help harvest fruit from a vine instead of a tree, and with my clumsiness, working near trees seemed a horrible idea.
"Well, what now?" Jessica asked, looking at the group of guys behind us. I kind of wondered if she was asking us or them.
Predictably, the guys walked over our way, having noticed Jessica's come hither glances, and took her question as opportunity to join our conversation.
"Bonjour Mademoiselles, my name is Francois, and this is Jean. We are here from France, where are you from?" he spoke in a thick buttery accent.
Jessica erupted in high pitched giggles and went five shades of red at the sound of his voice and blurted out "US – we're from the USA".
"Ah oui, Mademoiselle USA. May I inquire as to your name? Or should I just call you Mademoiselle USA?" and the cheesy guy winked at her. She could not be falling for this.
Unbelievably Jessica went into further hysterics and somehow managed to get out the word "Jessica" while she hyperventilated. And even though Francois apparently found Jessica's slightly psychotic antics charming, his friend Jean did not seem amused. In fact, I could have sworn I saw him roll his eyes. Hmm, maybe Jean won't be so bad.
"Well, we are on our way to the job center in town" Angela grabbed at Jessica's arm and began to lead her away "but it was nice meeting you".
"Ah, oui, oui, I shall see you later, belle femme" and he kissed Jessica's hand. I wondered how she refrained from peeing herself, but quickly noted the dazed look on her face and decided people that dazed probably forgot how to pee.
Well, at least Jessica will be happier with our destination of choice now, I chuckled to myself as I pushed my hair out of my face and followed Angela towards Main Street.
Some 5 minutes later we reached the cool air conditioned oasis of the job center and had all agreed that it was so freaking hot here that wherever we worked, we needed access to air conditioning. How the hell could it be so freaking hot in Canada?
We split up at the job wall, each scouring the cards posted on the wall for the perfect fit for our summer. Jessica quickly found one that offered "a climate controlled field in which we would pick our share of heavens fruit, grapes". We sat there pondering what the hell a "climate controlled field" was until the young man working there walked over, laughed, took it from Jessica's hand and put it back up on the wall, explaining that "climate controlled field" meant that the vineyard owner had a malfunctioning irrigation system, that would turn on at random points during the day, soaking us to the bone as we worked.
As he started back towards his desk I asked "so what do you recommend here?"
He kept walking laughing to himself as he answered "anything but the one that offers you the chance to take a swim in the pool during the day to cool down as you work" He turned to face us and winked and said "that old guy is a perve and just wants to be able to ogle young backpackers in their swimsuits, he hasn't sold a harvest in 7 years".
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Angela reach up to the board and pin up the card she had been holding. Just great.
And then I saw it. Among the other cards with flashy promises, photo shopped images or tacky bright colors, sat a single note card on thick ivory stock, with the handwritten note; Workers needed for vineyard duty. Must have a strong work ethic, in exchange for services provided, you will have use of a small guest house that will house 5 summer employees. The house is modestly furnished but does have all amenities including air conditioning. You will also receive a $150 per week stipend to pay for your food purchases. The proprietor of Forbidden Fruit winery prefers to be left alone, so you will receive most of your instructions in written form. Please apply at 1901 Mason Drive after sunset.
The handwriting on the note was mesmerizing. I could only stare at its beauty, wondering who could put a pen to paper and end up with artwork. Luckily Jessica saw me gawking and grabbed the note down, squealing her annoying "excitement" squeal and exclaimed it was the one.
It was agreed; at sunset that night we would head to the Forbidden Fruit Winery to apply for what appeared to be the answer to our summer prayers.