Palais Royal French Show and Dinner

For those of you who did not know, I used to live in Las Vegas!  I worked for a bank, !  as an officer, we got tickets to many of the shows in the Casinos....very fun!  So, I must say, even though
we heard from several French friends, that the dinner and show were terrific...I was skeptical in my heart.  But, I have learned to trust our friend Louie when he says something is good!  We wanted to thanks Louis and his wife Lilli Anne, for all their kindness.  So, we made a reservation for the dinner and show in the Palais Royal,  in a small French town, north of Strasbourg.  And, I must say, it was superb!

Louis never met a French person that he did love...so when he chatted with the person making the reservations, he told them he was bringing two American friends with him!...and we had the best table in the house.  The other tables were all long, with about 20 people each...ours was a table for 4 in the middle of the room.

The lunch, was a fabulous French lunch, which began with a glass of Crémant ( sparkling white wine) and after two delightfully small palate teasers of a warm soup and a toast of smoked salmon, we had a serving of Fois Gras.  This was followed by a two course meal.  The first was lobster on a bed of roe, with a creamy sauce with hints of coco and curry, and the second was filet of veal, with a lovely
 demi-glace, and small roasted vegetables.  We had two wines, a Puilley Fuisse with the lobster, and a Chateau neuf du pape with the veal.  Outstanding!  We had coffee after the meal, and went off to see the show, knowing that dessert would follow.

The show was fantastic!  It included gorgeous topless girls (tastefully done) and a variety show of dancers, acrobats, strong men, and team of basketball wizards, and a dog show act that had everyone laughing and amazed!  We all loved it!

After the show, we were handed a glass of champagne as we entered a large club lounge.  There was a full band playing, and a lead singer in a bright red sequined long dress was serenading us!  Dessert was served, and we got to dance for about an hour!  What a GREAT show!  Just a great experience, that lasted about 5 hours!   We are so glad Louie and Lilli Anne wanted to go!  We had a ball!

Here a a few pictures!

We found IT!!! Lake Como, 2015

Well, we found IT!!!  IT is the most gorgeous place ever!  Lake Como has been on my list for a long time, so, Bruce and I left Alsace, and drove about 5 to 6 hours, thru Switzerland to the lake district in Northern Italy.  We booked a room on the lake, across from the town of Bellagio.  It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever been!  We went after about 5 or 6 days of rain; the lake was serene, the clouds were still big puffy white marshmallows, the sky was New England Blue, and the light was so brilliantly strong, it turned the leaves transparent and the shadows dark purple!
We must share the photos with you!  First, the drive thru Switzerland....then, the lake...

Driving thru Switzerland...AND can you believe a TEN Mile long tunnel!  Incredible!

The approach to Bellagio by Ferry!

A windy day....awaiting the ferry!

Bruce in Bellagio - an iItalian food lunch!

Suzan's Alsacian Visit

Many of you know our friend Suzan...if not, you should!  She is a fun loving, crazy Hungarian!...not really...fun loving is true, but more than crazy, she is a sophisticated, kind and sweet person who can light a room on fire!

Suzan came to see us in Alsace.  We picked her up in Strasbourg at the Gare...what a long trip from LA to Paris, then a train to Strasbourg!  Bless her heart, to be sure she, and everyone around her,  has fun!  During her visit, we took a boat tour in Strasbourg, went to see the Cathedral and the Rohan museum,  the Monastery at St. Odile, the town of Obernai, got a tour of a fabulous winery along the Alsacian Wine Road, went to the Frenchman's ball (more on this later!)..went to Baden Baden Germany, saw a fabulous Faberge museum there, and visited the the quaint Alsacian town of Requhire!  WOW!  She kept up with it all, and we had a wonderful time!...and then, she was off to see her family in Budapest!

One of the very fun things we did was what I am calling the Frenchmen's Ball!  The second day Suzan was here Bruce went to play in a Petanque (French Bacci ball) tournament, with our friend, Louie!  Meanwhile, Suzan and I went to Strasbourg for the day.  To the French, Petanque is a social event.  Everyone, from little kids to old men and women play.  After the tournament, there was a dinner and dance....now, every town has a Sports facility, with a soccer filed and a Petanque court, and every sports facility has little buildings around it where you can gather and have a meal!  (But of Course!!!)  After the tournament, the men all went home to pick up their wives if the wives hadn't played that day.  We joined the boys at 7:00 for a dinner of Wild Boar roasted over a wood fire, and white beans flavored with herbs de Provence and little bits of lardon (like Canadian Bacon).  Good wine, very inexpensive...and lovely people....Long tables of couples, all chatting and laughing!  After dinner, a guy came in with a keyboard, sang, and played great dance music!  All in French...dancing like we don't do...some dances, almost like a polka, and every other style you can imagine!  Very French! s Very fun!  Always, sports, food and wine!  A lovely way to live!  Suzan fit right in...(ate the food), and talked/flirted with our friends, and even danced!

Here are some pictures from Suzan's visit.

A gorgeous dinner with Louis & Lillians' family

Our friends, Louis and Lillian have a wonderful family.  We had met their daughter, Clarisse, and son-in-law, Gilbert,  3 years ago at Louis and Lillian's birthday party.  Clarisse and Gilbert have raised two wonderful boys.  When we met them the boys were teenagers, one mid-teens, and one, late-teens.  Now, three years later, Louis' older grandson, Nichola,  has gone into the Gendarmarie, a branch of service in France, that is a cross between NCIS and the national police.  His corps has maritime-related duties, and he is a medic.    The younger grandson, Benjamin, is in high school, and is just learning how to fly.  If you have read the previous blog about Louis' family, Benjamin is the one who made the entire family Tarte Flambe when we first got here.

Yesterday we were invited to a family dinner, because Nichola, is home from duty in the Gendarms.  We assembled for lunch (which went on for 4 hours)...then, the boys went to see motorcycle races.  Afterwards we got together for a glass of crémant, snacks, and to see Nichola's collection of military caps....extensive and impressive, to say the least!

The mid-day dinner was delicious!  Two long grills were laid on the table, with a fabulous German potato salad an assortment of raw sliced meats and different veggies to grill.  It was fun because it was active, with everyone grilling their own dinners, and because the boys interacted beautifully with their parents, grandparents, and us!  Just a treasure to see such a nice family, and to be invited to participate in their joy!  We hope they come to visit us in the US!

Check out the wonderful family, including the handsome Gendarme in his uniform, (He wore it just for us!).......then, the dinner picture, and a picture from the motor cycle side car races!

Our new walking path! September, 2015

The weather has turned, and we are now experiencing days, generally in the 70's...and nights in the 40's!  I am still healing from my rib and subsequent leg problem, but continue to gain strength.  I have begun to walk for exercise again, and we found the most bucolic walking path! It is along a canal of a small river that flows into the Rhine.  I managed to walk a full 3 miles the other day, and although my leg gave me some pain, I felt accomplished!  The path is amidst farms and corn fields.  The canal has swans, ducks and swallows and an occasional giant egret to keep you entertained.  To my surprise, and pleasure, I found a boat house.  Quite infrequently we see rowers on the canal, but they are there!

Our 1st Petanque Tournment, and a surprise dinner!

Our friend, Louis, and his friend, Francois, entered us into a pétanque tournament!  It was held in a small village, about 15 minutes from here.  We knew Francoise and his wife, Bette 3 years ago at Louis' birthday party.  We joined a group of people, men, women, and children in a day-long series of games.  It was just wonderful.  Of course, we were the only unknowns in the tournament, in that these people were all from the village of Matzenheim, and surrounding villages.  The town people had put up 4 tents and set out about 25 picnic tables and a few benches.  The day started out cool, but was slated to be a hot one, with sunny skies and the temperatures rising into the 90's!  

   Bruce and I were paired up and matched against older couples, young men in their late teens and little boys, none of whom speak English, but all of whom were rather interested in the people from California!  Fortunately, the game speaks for itself, but unfortunately, we are new to the game, and not very good players!  All of the players seemed pleased that we were interested in their favorite past-time, and, combined with the fact that we had the grace to loose, we felt welcomed as semi-special guests!  

   Lunch was prepared by the town butcher and several lovely young ladies.  (Ham or grilled sausages, German style potato salad, and sliced tomato salad).  Beer, wine, coffee and German pretzels were for sale the entire day.  Toddlers ran around the area, adding a lovely spectacle for all.  The day did get hot, with sun burns and sun tans appearing on every piece of exposed skin!  Hot! From 9:30 to 6:00, we played 5 games at a leisurely, French pace....a civilized break for beer or wine or water, in between games!  

  Trophies were presented and everyone celebrated the winners.  Nothing marred the day...not even a bee sting!  Everyone called our Auto Revoir to us when we left! ......So French...a day of inclusive sport, with babies, children, mamas, papas, and grandparents (into their 80's),  sunshine, food, and drink!  Humm....I think they are doing something RIGHT! 

    At the end of the day, as we sat down to have a glass of Rosé, Francois announced that he would like all of us, and Lillian,  Louis' wife, to join him and his wife, Bette, for a glass of Crémant (a fine,  Alsacian sparkling wine) at his home.  Of course, we said yes!  We thought it was only for a drink!   But no, we arrived to find that Bette must have been in on this wonderful surprise!  Their lovely apartment had a smell of fresh-baked something...Hum?   Well..... from the the Crémant we moved into a very special dinner of Raclette...a Swiss specially of cheese, sliced meats and sausages, shallots and lardon (little chunks of Canadian bacon), that you bake on the table, in individual little trays.  The melted cheese, shallots and lardon are poured over boiled potatoes.  Delicious!  More Alsacian white wine was served.  And just when you thought you were done...Bette brought out the lightest, most delicious cheesecake that we have ever tasted!  Licquors were introduced, but by that time no one was interested!  The night ended at about 11:00, with our new friends telling us that this lovely dinner in their home, came from their heart!  

The entire day was fun, and the dinner was really touching, and just plain delicious and special!  What a great experience!

Here are the trophies (that we didn't win!) .......the players.....Bruce staring down the cheese cake, and our friends, Francois and Bette, with the wonderful cheese cake!

The French as a People

Upon reflection, we came to France concerned about what we were told about the French being a bit snobbish or standoffish....and hoping that we could move past this.  We have found some interesting traits, and little snobbery or stand-offishness.

First, the French really DO believe in their motto..."Liberty, Equality and Fraternity."  This is the motto that emerged during the French Revolution, and we see actions that reflect this every day.  In the States, we believe that the INDIVIDUAL is inalienable...freedom of speech, and most actions can not be restrained.  Here, there seems to be a bit more tempered approach to speech and actions.  There is a very genuine sense of caring for others.  It is reflected in very gentile language, for example, whenever you enter a store, or greet someone at a cashier's station, they look you in the eye, and say Bon Jour!  And, when you leave, they always say Au Revoir...and often Bon Journee!  They seem like just niceties, but they are truly indicative of the culture.  If you do not respond, in kind, then you are perceived as a bit ignorant, or rude.

We have also noticed, that when we walk into a restaurant, while being seated by the hostess, we are often greeted by others sitting in the restaurant...people we have never seen before, and will never see again, and yet, they nod, or even say, Bon Jour!  Sometimes, after we are seated, when they get up to leave, they will turn to us and say: Au Revoir, or Bon Journee.  At first, we did not know what to think....but now, we just see that it is a way of acknowledging others.

French children are very well behaved...they learn, very early to always greet others with Bon Jour!...even 2 years olds....and to never be loud in a restaurant!  Restaurants in France are always a buzz with light volume levels of conversation.  We have never been in a restaurant in France where there is anyone who is loud or boisterous, and is French!  Americans, Germans, yes!..but not the French.  German children, and American children have been loud...but not the French....and if they begin to get loud, the French family will remove the child from the restaurant.  That simple!

There are many other indicators of concern or caring...not to mention the big burly truck driver who stopped his 18 wheeler on the road (perpendicular to the street where I was laying) when I broke my rib....or the car full of 4 young teenage boys who also stopped to help....or the person who lived in the house nearby who called for an ambulance, immediately!  The doctor who was in his office on a Saturday morning...

When our boulangerie closed for summer vacation for two weeks, they indicated when they would be back, and the next closest boulangerie that is still open for business!...Just so you shouldn't suffer the pains of the lack of fresh bread!

There is just a cultural attitude that says "we are all in this together, and we look out for each other!"

This is a demonstrably kind and civilized culture.