French Mornings

Long has it been since I've returned to this page to recount my adventures in Europe. There are many reasons for that- none of them legitimate so I will not waste time writing them. I often find myself in a peaceful moment and feel the need to write about it. Through a series of unlikely events, I found myself at a bakery at 9am recently- and what a wonderful experience! Why have I never done that before? It's magical to walk outside of my apartment in the beautiful French early springtime and be amidst the first customers of the day as they make their morning choices from the large selection of treats. The boulangerie wants for nothing at this hour- nothing has been picked over, nothing is running out, and I get my choice of all these things laid out in front of me on a golden platter.

Unfortunately the man behind me was not so taken with the magic of it all as I was, and he and his business suit had things to do. I chose a selection of pastries and returned for a magical breakfast of pastries, coffee, tea, juice, and bananas. I wish I had photos to document that tiny amount of time which bored itself into my memory, but I do not so word pictures will have to suffice. It's just a small little thing...like most boulangeries. It looks simple on the outside, and as I push the glass doors to get inside a tinkling bell goes off alerting the lady that a new customer arrives. There's a long glass showcase of pastries that makes an L-shape, and I walk back and forth in front of it, prowling like a caged lionness in the zoo. I want to be sure that I don't waste my choices...and there are so MANY choices! I took two chocolat russe - which is a doughy bread in a sort of pretzel shape with chocolate morsels all throughout, and 2 chausson pommes, which I'm told is the equivalent of an apple turnover although I can't be sure because I've never had that American treat.

But the sheer amount of bread- yellows and golds everywhere! Different types of baguettes in large bins and baskets behind the counter for me to choose from- and nothing about 1 euro 50! I went in with 5 euros and came out with 4 pastries and change. The walk back to my apartment just around the corner was all too short- the morning was brisk and beautiful and sunny- oh how I love the sun in France! It's been such a rarety these last few months. I've missed my Carolina blue skies amidst the white and dreary French skies. So since I've been cooped up all winter, I'm chomping at the bit to get outside and take as many walks in the park and around the city as possible, and join the ranks of French people who are also venturing out from their apartments for the first time in a long time for the purpose of leisure time. I want to take my new huge book to the park and read while the children feed the deer and mosey through the zoo...maybe hear the lion roar another time. Maybe take a bike ride through the park..or a canoe on the lake. Is that even possible? I'm not sure but I intend to find out...these last few months will not go wasted on my journey!

a toute a l'heure...