Serendipitous Traveler (Day 7): The Salt Marshes of the Camargue
Nature Unfolding by Leah Marie Brown The Salt Marshes of the Camargue before a summer storm . I have always been fascinated by ancient trades. I am particularly fascinated by the ancient trades still practiced today, like the harvesting of sea salt, the distillation of scents, glassblowing, wine making, and cabinetry. There is something romantic, almost poetic, about a man mastering the elements to bring delight to the senses. It seems a simple but noble pursuit. And for me, the artisans who resist the temptations of modernization, who adhere to the traditional methods of their craft, seem the most noble and romantic of all. So, when I began planning my trip to Southern France and Italy, a tour of the salt marshes of the Camargue became my number one priority. I simply had to learn more about the ancient trade of harvesting sea salt. I wanted to meet the men who stood ankle-deep in murky water, who braved the Mistral's biting winds, and coax