THE "LAST SUPPER"

THE "LAST SUPPER"

 

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go--well, almost!  The weather had recently turned cold and rainy, but Sunday, our last day, was filled with sunshine.    In the early afternoon we left the bags behind and headed out for one last stroll in the city we've come to love so much.  Off to the river for one last look at the "bouquenistes"; one last lick of pistache and amarena gelato; one last stroll across the bridges, past Notre Dame and a last peek at the Ile St. Louis.

 

When the sun shines, people crowd the streets, seeking out the sunny benches in the parks and in the outdoor cafes. I know France is facing a declining population but you would never guess it from the large number of children out for the day with their parents. We walked until we were tired then with bagette in hand, we headed home to make a meal of the leftovers of cheese, pate and various goodies left in our refridgerator.  Thankfully there was still a bottle of wine to help make the meal memorable. 

 

Going home is a bittersweet experience--for us there's always a longing to hurry back!

FedEx in Paris

 
Parisians love new technology and gadgets. They seem to compensate for the limitations of 16th, 17th and 18th century buildings and street with the most advanced technology available. You may have to walk up three flights of stairs to your 600 ft sq two bedroom apartment, but your deliveries will be made by an automated street crane that fits into a parking space and delivers through the window. We have grown used to seeing highly automated buses that tell you where you are and when you will arrive at each stop. They even announce the frequent "manifestations" (usually strikes) that disrupt service  Their street cleaners are a wonder of automation with multiple brushes and water sources.

 

So we were particularly surprised to see the new FedEx delivery vehicle - a bicycle similar to those used by pedicabs in NY. They're great, they fit in between two parked cars (without blocking the street) and don't use any gas (unless the driver has had an unfortunate lunch).

A "Spectacle" en Paris

COMPAGNIE RASPOSO--Un Cirque or 'un Spectacle' under a Tent!

 

Le Chant du Dindon (the song of the turkey!!)

 

In Paris you can often find 'un Espace Cirque' (a tent) in many neighbourhoods for many kinds of performance.  I try to scout out one or two during our visits; it's always hit or miss given that I really can't read the descriptions thoroughly enough.  Sometimes these events turn out to be a 'miss' like the time I dragged Paul, Jory and Scott to a 'horse show' not thinking that we would be in a small arena filled with dust and hay, aggravating Scott's allergies!  Not such a good pick!

 

This Sunday, however, was a different story.  We travelled out to the suburbs to a park where a small tent had been erected for a travelling "Spectacle". It was like going back in time--almost like a vaudeville performance.  The troupe (15 in all, 5 of which were from the same family) did EVERYTHING!  They were the actors, stage hands, writers and crowd control--in the two hour performance. Apart from a 20 min. intermission, EVERYONE worked all of the time.  If they weren't performing some amazing acrobatic feat, they were comedians or mimes or musicians providing the background music. In addition, acting as spotters, or changing the sets frequently engaging with the audience as they changed rigging or reset the ring for the next act.

 

This show had a little bit of everything including a live turkey (of the title), some magic doves and 4 dogs!  The performance followed a story line of sorts--a little like you would see in 'Cirque du Soliel'.  The performances were professional, entertaining and a hit with both the youngest and oldest members of the audience.  The venue, under a small tent, with unassigned bare plank seating--was ,intimate, but challenging for our backs and tooshes.  The first three rows, for the most part were reserved for the young children, the rest of us in stadium seating behind-- somewhat like being in the audience of a little league game!  The performers were often out in the audience, engaging with us, stepping over benches to adjust the sets or moving people back to make room for the next more 'energetic' tumbling displays.

 

As I said, the performance was fantastic--high wire acts, unbelievable contortions, magic and humour all rolled into a theme that kept us entranced; all for the affordable price of 24 Euros.