Alle terme (di Pré Saint Didier)

I stand there, submerged under the surface of the water of the big pool, the one that you have to get out and walk ten metres in the cold air to reach. I keep my ears under the water's edge and do not hear the voices of the people around. I only get the sound of small waves crashing against the tub's drainpipe and the cry of birds I don't know. Nor can I tell where they are: if I lift my head above the water I no longer hear them.

It snows on my head. The rest of my body enjoys the warmth of the water. The small flakes falling give handfuls of shivers. I look up and moonlight emerges from the clouds. Only the light.

It's time to get out: almost eleven and it's closing time here. Whatever. A good chance to come back. In the meantime, I've already tried almost everything: saunas, steam baths, thermal showers, hydro jets, sensory baths. Air-water-fire relaxation zones.

A 10 to the thermal baths: the outdoor pools are an experience, but it is the whole thing that is impressive and satisfying in terms of quantity and quality. A 4- to the overuse of polluting plastic plates and glasses during the buffet (which looks for a moment like a scene from some Kubrick film: the large room full of people in white bathrobes dangling a black saucer in their hands). And, also not to run the risk of forgetting, an 11-ounce yoghurt.