Last night I met up with Kim (the reference librarian), Helen (the children’s librarian) and her new husband, and two of Kim’s friends. We all met at the Parc la Villette to watch a film outdoors – just one of the really cool things that Paris offers every summer.
I met them all after I rode the metro (the most crowded ride yet – my touching bodies to everyone and having to breath slowly and focus due to claustrophobia – not just next to people touching, but seemingly on one another, pressed up like sardines – it was kind of intense for me actually) – the park is out in the 19th district, so it was kind of a long ride, made longer by my body pressed up against strangers, but well worth it. The park is in a cool setting, near a music conservatory, a museum, and other music-related venues. Kim told me that the music school is the “top notch one” – the best of the best go there (Kim and her friend that I met (the scholar) both grew up in the same town in the north of France and have known each other since they were young – they both went to a music school, Kim is a pianist).
We set ourselves up on the lawn and started our picnic. When we arrived (at about 7pm) we were joined by other early picnic people, but there were large gaps between each blanket picnic. This went on for quite sometime (until the sunset) and the place filled up – before I knew it – I looked up from the good picnic food and great conversation to see that were surrounded by similar gatherings – people here sure do know how to picnic!! Champagne was popping, wine uncorked, fancy cheeses, fruit, bread – you name it! There was a wonderful comfortable vibe – shared by all. The people I was with thought of everything! There was even hot coffee for us all after our main meal of homemade quiche (Kim made is) – there was so much food – and they took it all by either metro or by motor cycle!!! The eating and drinking just kept going and going – I adored it. They tried to talk me into trying some pork spread (see picture - and by the way - my pictures aren't the greatest here - I didn't spend a long time on it and didn't really capture the picnic well enough to give you the full effect) and they cracked up that I politely declined. I didn’t make a big deal – but I really did not want to try it. What a fun group of people! They were saying – “why are you leaving so soon!??” –“you haven’t been here long enough.” (see pictures of the meat – they all wanted me to share photos of the meat with my American friends – and they made sure I knew that it was not pate and it was not foie gras – it’s something altogether different – and of course, your silly swept up friend forgot what it was called (but I'm sure some of you know)– where’s my notebook when I need it??! – and by the way, I have wonderful pictures of the group which I’ll share with you the next time we see each other – for now – here are food and surroundings pictures). The group spoke in French most of the time – with translations here and there for me – this is similar to what I’ve been used to when I hang out with some friends from the foyer – usually the girls I’ll hang out with will speak French – and then one girl will translate and they’ll speak a little English with me here and there. It’s been a good lesson in listening and trying to pick up what I can. Of course they always go out of their way to include me – everyone I’ve spent time with has been extraordinarily friendly – but I always insist that they carryon with their conversation – no to worry about translating all of the time – it seems that I get more of a relaxed and real vibe when that happens. It’s been very fun.
The movie: La Folle Ingenue (Cluny Brown) Ernst Lubitsch (1946), this was apparently a rare treat. The people putting the show have one of the last copies (so they said in French – the group translated for me) available for viewing. It was a fun black and white film – there were French subtitles, the movie was in English. We lay on our blankets. The crowd was vocal through the film, laughing, or saying “oooh and awe!!” It was a great night. I am so happy that I was invited and when I walked back towards the metro, everyone kiss-kissed and I invited them to stay with me in Oregon whenever they like – and I believe Kim will take me up on that – she comes to America often – but has mainly focused on the east coast previously. I have met some really nice people – of which I hope to stay connected with.
All for now.
Love, Melissa
I met them all after I rode the metro (the most crowded ride yet – my touching bodies to everyone and having to breath slowly and focus due to claustrophobia – not just next to people touching, but seemingly on one another, pressed up like sardines – it was kind of intense for me actually) – the park is out in the 19th district, so it was kind of a long ride, made longer by my body pressed up against strangers, but well worth it. The park is in a cool setting, near a music conservatory, a museum, and other music-related venues. Kim told me that the music school is the “top notch one” – the best of the best go there (Kim and her friend that I met (the scholar) both grew up in the same town in the north of France and have known each other since they were young – they both went to a music school, Kim is a pianist).
We set ourselves up on the lawn and started our picnic. When we arrived (at about 7pm) we were joined by other early picnic people, but there were large gaps between each blanket picnic. This went on for quite sometime (until the sunset) and the place filled up – before I knew it – I looked up from the good picnic food and great conversation to see that were surrounded by similar gatherings – people here sure do know how to picnic!! Champagne was popping, wine uncorked, fancy cheeses, fruit, bread – you name it! There was a wonderful comfortable vibe – shared by all. The people I was with thought of everything! There was even hot coffee for us all after our main meal of homemade quiche (Kim made is) – there was so much food – and they took it all by either metro or by motor cycle!!! The eating and drinking just kept going and going – I adored it. They tried to talk me into trying some pork spread (see picture - and by the way - my pictures aren't the greatest here - I didn't spend a long time on it and didn't really capture the picnic well enough to give you the full effect) and they cracked up that I politely declined. I didn’t make a big deal – but I really did not want to try it. What a fun group of people! They were saying – “why are you leaving so soon!??” –“you haven’t been here long enough.” (see pictures of the meat – they all wanted me to share photos of the meat with my American friends – and they made sure I knew that it was not pate and it was not foie gras – it’s something altogether different – and of course, your silly swept up friend forgot what it was called (but I'm sure some of you know)– where’s my notebook when I need it??! – and by the way, I have wonderful pictures of the group which I’ll share with you the next time we see each other – for now – here are food and surroundings pictures). The group spoke in French most of the time – with translations here and there for me – this is similar to what I’ve been used to when I hang out with some friends from the foyer – usually the girls I’ll hang out with will speak French – and then one girl will translate and they’ll speak a little English with me here and there. It’s been a good lesson in listening and trying to pick up what I can. Of course they always go out of their way to include me – everyone I’ve spent time with has been extraordinarily friendly – but I always insist that they carryon with their conversation – no to worry about translating all of the time – it seems that I get more of a relaxed and real vibe when that happens. It’s been very fun.
The movie: La Folle Ingenue (Cluny Brown) Ernst Lubitsch (1946), this was apparently a rare treat. The people putting the show have one of the last copies (so they said in French – the group translated for me) available for viewing. It was a fun black and white film – there were French subtitles, the movie was in English. We lay on our blankets. The crowd was vocal through the film, laughing, or saying “oooh and awe!!” It was a great night. I am so happy that I was invited and when I walked back towards the metro, everyone kiss-kissed and I invited them to stay with me in Oregon whenever they like – and I believe Kim will take me up on that – she comes to America often – but has mainly focused on the east coast previously. I have met some really nice people – of which I hope to stay connected with.
All for now.
Love, Melissa
[note: sorry for this scattered post - I wrote it last night after I got back to the foyer. I could edit it, but I've decided to leave it as is because it sort of captures my rambling and scattered excitement after I got into my room at the foyer - I wrote this at about 2am]
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