My parents Ewa and Wiktor with me ...
(Part
I)
Thursday,
14th of March 2013 (Paris, France)
Hooray!
it's my birthday ... the big 50!
Time
to “rise and shine” (as they say) and celebrate.
So
... what's on my wish list for today? Let me think.
Hmm
... I want some fancy cheeses, crunchy bread to go with them and a
birthday cake.
Yes,
I have to have a birthday cake!
I
know ... I know what I will do. I will get a cake for my neighbours
too!
This
sounds like a great idea.
Next
...
Since
the snow is almost gone, the Pere-Lachaise cemetery should be open
and so I will need to buy some fresh flowers for Edith.
After
this I will go to the place where my last trip to Paris began and
then ...
I
will let the rest of the day unfold by itself.
Here
I go ...
After
my routine prayer to Madonna I was looking forward to my hot romance
with Serge - unfortunately this ended very quickly on a cold note as
the hot water ran out after only a minute or so. Believe it or not
this was the only time during my entire stay.
Maybe
this was a hint that when turning fifty one becomes “cool” and no
longer “hot”?
With
taste buds high on cheese an espresso was needed urgently.
Running
down the stairs like a five year old rather than fifty, I was eager
to feel a crema on my lips while getting lost in the aroma of those
“irresistible to me” beans.
When
paying for my coffee, I noticed astrological theme lottery scratchies
for sale and decided to try my luck.
No
such luck. Maybe I should have picked a different sun sign rather
than my own.
Now
off to the “Happy” florist across the road to see if my initial
wish to visit Edith's grave with fifty red roses (one for each year
since her passing away on the 10th October 1963) can be
fulfilled.
While
looking at the available selection, I overheard a sales assistant
asking another customer if he needed any help.
“Just
having a look.” ... (was his reply)
Having
worked out what flowers to get later on I was about to step out of
the store, but before I could get very far the earlier mentioned guy
came up to me saying, among other words, how he got attracted to my
beautiful eyes. Unfortunately I couldn't fully grasp all he said as
his voice was charged with so much excitement and speed just like a
champagne (French of course) pouring out of the shaken bottle.
By
the time he asked me to go for a cup of coffee (which was only a few
seconds later) I was in a kind of shock.
“Thank
you, but I just had one.” ... (was my reply)
However,
this did not stop the champagne from pouring out. After checking my
hand for a wedding ring (while I was thinking that he wanted to check
the time) he got even more enthusiastic and proposed to meet up later
that day. I have to say that it took me a while to work out where he
was proposing to go and when I did ... a second wave of shock entered
my body.
A
nearby Spa?! ... (I couldn't believe my ears)
“Il
fait trop froide.” ... (“It is too cold.” ... was my quick
reply)
Thank
God for the snow!!!
Honestly,
I do not recall all the aspects of our conversation, but after
receiving two or three birthday kisses on the cheek (with my consent)
we parted with an amicable energy.
Walking
down to my favourite patisserie I felt my mind floating on a cloud as
I pondered on this unexpected event ...
“Wow
... did this really happened?!
Here
in Paris and right on my birthday! - not bad for the ego to be
approached by a guy a few years younger even if his intentions
weren't quiet genuine.
A
holiday bonus indeed.”
Unfortunately,
floating on the cloud could not go on as I had to return to Earth and
focus on choosing my cake.
The
temptations were many, but the winner was rather obvious when his
raspberry smile won my heart at first gaze.
“May
I have six of these please ... and would it be possible to have each
one of them in a small box as I am going to gift them.”
Carrying
smart looking paper bags filled with boxed cakes and some bread I
entered the neighbouring cheese shop with a very happy “Bonjour”.
I
was attended by a young sales assistant in a very courteous and
professional way with a touch of an old fashioned seriousness which
somehow took me back in time to the era of long dresses, sun
umbrellas and top hats.
Entrusting
his expertise, I selected three styles of cheese and asked him if he
could write their names for me.
As
I watched him take care of my purchase, I felt that only Virgos (of
which I have a rising) would notice his wrapping skills and
appreciate the beautiful, calligraphy like writing.
Having
completed my morning mission I was eager to get back to the top (6th
floor) to prepare a surprise for my neighbours.
As
I reached my door, I overheard a familiar sound of guitar.
Great!
One less note to write ... (I thought to myself)
My
gentle knock was addressed by a male voice who had to reassure
himself about my identity before opening the door.
I
think that he felt rather relieved as well as pleasantly surprised
when I gifted him with a sweet treasure hidden in a little box from
the local patisserie.
He
wished me a happy birthday, thanked me for the gift and offered to
play the guitar for me.
After
happily accepting his offer we stepped back into our apartments
letting the doors face each other once again across the narrow
passage.
Thinking
back, this little encounter felt somewhat surreal - like a clip from
a French movie ...
“An
accidental meeting of two strangers on the 6th floor of
...
Now
was the time to see if the “raspberry smile” would excite my
taste buds as much as it did my eyes.
I
have to say that the promise of a delicious journey was fully
delivered in a “far too brief” moment of sweet bliss. I was glad
that no one was around to hear my child like sounds of enjoyment.
As
the degustation of my birthday cake came to an end, I grabbed a note
book to create a message for my neighbours. Dominated by the Pisces'
energy, I wouldn't dare spoil this spontaneous moment with the help
of a French dictionary lying within my reach.
“Let
it be au naturel.” ... (I thought to myself)
One
more note to go ...
With
the explanatory message slightly tucked into the box I placed my
little surprise at the neighbours' doors so that they could enjoy
this day with me. Yum! Yum!
(to be continued in two weeks ...)
Links to ...
Artisan Boulanger Patissier Mason Landemaine, Rue de Martyrs
Les Papilles Gourmandes, Rue des Martyrs
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