Bonjour!

I think I have the hang of this writing thing now! It’s so nice having something to say again!

Il fait tres chaud!

It seems that the Sun Gods are definitely here to stay in Paris for the next few days! Yesterday was a hot one and today they are forecasting temperatures in the mid 30′s! I love it! Bring it on!

They are calling it a Canicule which from what I understand is that temperatures remain constant during the day and the night! Well, I say that but really I’m not that sure so you can either choose to believe me or google it yourself  Yes, I know I’m so full of accurate information on my blog aren’t I!! :-)

I’m hoping the Sun Gods will decide to stay for all of September too and especially for Jacques Melac’s Vendange on the 8th September in the 11arr. as there will be so many of my friends attending!

Jardin du Luxembourg!

I headed in the direction of the Jardin du Luxembourg yesterday so that I could find a perfect spot for some people watching and I found that little spot not far from the lake where all the children were sailing their boats. I must have stayed there for a good 4 hours I think and by the time I was ready to leave I was a little rosé on the outside mais tompee… I will be brown soon enough! I have my Dad’s olive skin tones to thank for that!

Lunch at Le Sorbonne!

Feeling a little peckish I left the Jardin to go find something to eat and ended up at the Sorbonne where I found a nice little cafe and settled in for a caesar salad and a glass of wine followed by a rather good cafe creme! Laurent Marc was my personal waiter and was most attentive even to the point of wanting to take his photo with me and insisted that I send him a copy along with a post card from Sydney! I tell you I do nothing but smile nicely to these waiters and they seem to fall at my feet – go figure! tompee…!  :-) Oh and for the record, he also said my French was very good!! …. now we both know he was telling a tall one there!! LOL!!!

 Volunteer Work!

This morning (Vendredi) I was up early as I wanted to be on time for my volunteer work at the American Cathedral located in the 8arr. I was very much looking forward to this as I had such a wonderful time back in Jan/Feb of this year when I was fortunate enough to assist them in the kitchen each Friday to feed the homeless and those in need of nourishment.

Oh ooh… wrong address!

Donc… don’t you hate it when you miss the email informing you that the venue has changed! Well, yes, that is what happened to me this morning! I thought I was going to the American Cathedral but no, the American Cathedral is under construction and as I walked thru the doors I kind of got the feeling that I wasn’t going to see anyone in the kitchen preparing any meals for the less needy and my immediate thought was ‘oh no, they don’t want me anymore’!  mais non… on enquiring with the priest at the front door who acknowledged me on entering with a bonjour (though I distinctly felt his eyes on me as I made strides down the aisle to the back part of the church) I then very meekly emerged to ask him where the kitchen had been moved to… I think I may have detected a smirk in his voice as he explained to me they were now preparing the lunches at the American Church due to the renovations … but being a Priest I will give him the benefit of the doubt ok!

After getting clear instructions in English of where to go I found my way to the American Church which wasn’t that far away just over the Pont ?? (hmm, clearly I wasn’t paying attention because of his smirk!) and I had to turn left!

Phew… just made it on time and I was warmly greeted by some familiar faces from my Jan/Feb visit ie: Bill, (the Minister from the Vintage Church), Raymond (Kiwi guy, married to a French girl) and Gary (whose nephew Travis was visiting last time).  After my lovely welcome I was set to work on chopping mushrooms with Jan who was from Illinois and leaving tomorrow after a week in Paris. Other familiar faces from my last visit were Michael (Wisconsin), Christina and Anne. Alas Marc (Ohio) wasn’t there as he is still on vacation but hopefully before I go I will get to see him again. He was the one who taught me how to make gravy! I also made acquaintance with Heather, Ryan and Elizabeth all wanting to give something back.. how lucky we all were to be in the same place today!

Such a great morning in the kitchen! When I went to the grand hall for the lunch service I saw some familiar faces in the guests and they too smiled my way when they saw me! How nice is that! Right there and then I knew I was being rewarded and I was grateful for being able to assist the American Cathedral/Church with their good work.

Already I’m looking forward to returning next Friday!

a Bientot!

Bisous

Murielle!