Old Friends

Just like our last big trip, in 2009, we end this trip in Paris.  Paris is like an old friend.  We have visited many times and know what to expect -- a boulangerie on every corner, a chocolatier on every other block and two or more cafes, bistros or restaurants on every block as well.  We frequented them all!  We also went to the Pompidou Center to see a special Cubism exhibit, spent some time in the Louvre (free Sunday!) and walked and walked through some of our favorite areas.

We had a very stylish, comfortable apartment in the Bastille neighborhood.  Our host explained that Bastille is to the more establishment parts of Paris as Brooklyn is to Manhattan.  That pretty much summed up our impression.  The apartment building fronted on a "passage" (above), a tiny street, which meant it was very quiet.  There was even a little outdoor seating area with patio furniture and stylishly-lit landscaping.  So chic!

Our real reason for going to Paris, though, was to visit our old friends, the Gorin family.  We took the train out to Rambouillet on Saturday evening and were surprised to be picked up by Cyrille and Valentin.  We were surprised because Valentin, now an airline pilot, is living in Aix-en-Provence.  However, he is between contracts at the moment so he made the 3-hour train trip north to see us.  (He probably wanted to see his beautiful, charming girlfriend, Chloe, who lives in Rambouillet, as well.)

Veronique went all out and prepared a traditional French dinner -- 6 courses, 5 hours and many bottles of wine.  It was so much fun!  For the foodies reading the blog, I'll recite the courses.  I didn't take pictures, unfortunately, except for the hors d'oeuvres and the cutting of La Marveilleux.  I was too busy eating, drinking, talking, and laughing!

- Hors d'oeuvres, including a cheese that one "cuts" with special wire tool that makes a flower blossom shape.
- An amuse bouche of pureed peas, made by Clara.
- Pate de fois gras with figs, home made by Veronique (along with all the remaining courses.)
- Roast duck with mashed potatoes with truffles.
- Cheese
- Dessert.  Une Merveilleux -- a layered extravaganza of meringues, whipped cream, and chocolate.

It turns out that Veronique, in addition to working full time, training for and running marathons, and taking challenging vacations with Cyrille (mountain climbing in Costa Rica!), has trained and been certified as a pastry chef.  When she told me she could also make croissants and baguettes, I asked her to marry me.  Ralph and Cyrille were not amused.

Valentin completed his training as a pilot this year, a goal he set for himself when he was 4 years old.  

Me, Cyrille, Ralph, Chloe, Clara, Valentin, Veronique.

Clara, who is 16, made her choice this year of which "track" she wishes to follow for the rest of her education.  What a decision to have to make at such an early age.  She chose the science track and intends to train as a doctor and go into sports medicine.  

And just to make sure that we didn't go back to Paris hungry, Veronique made breakfast for us before we took off for the train.

We have so many happy memories of this trip and this evening with the Gorins was the cherry on the sundae.  Now it's time to go home -- back to the many joys of being with family and friends and living in Forestville.

P.S.  By the way, the "old friend" in the painting at the top of the page is Marie  de Medici.  As an older woman, she was so impressed with her life that she commissioned Rubens to paint 12 gigantic portraits documenting her achievements and gifts to mankind (like being born).  The paintings are completely over the top outrageous and we have laughed about them many times.  As we were rambling around the Louvre the other day, we stumbled into the enormous room where the paintings are displayed and again had a little laugh at Marie's expense.