Ooops, I am in trouble.  August 1st starts tomorrow and already, my fish monger and baker posted the infamous sign, Ferme pour conge anuel. (Closed for Annual Leave,) will be back August 28.  All are allowed to go on vacation yet can't a business run without its owner?  For the next month more than half of my neighborhood stores will be closed. I will resign myself to the supermarket chains.  Ahhhh the French and their conges payes, this entitlement of paid vacation of at least 5 weeks a year. In a very thick French accent a la "I Love Lucy" by a man with a funny mustache, I can hear, "But it is a trrrradition Monsieur, we all go on vacation in August..."