Dégustation

A weekend of dégustation (tasting) that included a little sample of different cultures and ways of life as well as some old favorites.

Hidden on a Parisian side street, nestled among tall trees rests a stunning Japanese pagoda, built by the former director of the Bon Marché department store during the height of European infatuation with all that came from the East. Today it serves as a teahouse and cinéma, where Friday night a few of us went to see 'Welcome' a new film about illegal immigrantion, where people (étranger en situation irrégulièr) cross France with the hopes of getting to England. A moving, tear inducing piece that I recommend to all (fellow French residents, its playing at your local theatre, home friends, check any french film festivals in your area).

Saturday it was some volunteer time at an english book sale benefitting an english organization here in Paris, a dusty, and somewhat hectic afternoon. One of my favorite moments was a conversation with a french woman discussing children's lit, trying to pick out appropriate works for an english language learner. It was definitely nostalgic to get in touch with my childhood picking through Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, American Girl series, and of course the Babysitter's Club. I also walked away with a few...even though I have no time to read them or anywhere to put them :) After a quick nap and quick scan of my newly acquired treasure it was off to Czech Night at Vero's house! It was a night to sample/taste a bit of Czech cuisine and beverage, I am in love with Babovka, a cake dessert that I hope to duplicate one day...

The foray into the wonderful world of sampling continued today when Gabo, Maria and myself spent the evening at the wine expo here in Paris. You arrive, pay 3 euros, get a glass and spend hours wandering from stall to stall, sampling different wines, chatting with vendors about their regions, years and particular tastes...well Maria did, I just nodded, pretending to be cultured, while twirling my glass around (holding the base of course). The warm, fuzzy feeling I had by the end of our tour allowed me to walk away with a bottle of fabulous bubbly (would have been a lot more bottles if I had the room in my bag...) All in all, an evening well spent, and we decided to be on the look out for more of these in the future, yum :)

xxoo