Meeting People

As I mentioned in the previous posting, on Friday night I went to the Frog XVI to celebrate my small triumph over the Internet/phone connection.  For a number of reasons this is a nice place to go.  The wait staff are predominately English and very friendly, they have a happy hour Monday - Friday featuring microbrewed beer and free Internet access with my iPad.  

While sitting at the bar waiting for my bowl of chili, the couple next to me started to ask questions about the iPad.  They had an accent I have heard before, they are from South Africa.  My last two bosses in the U.S. were South African.  We talked for ~45 minutes.  They were a couple about my age.  He was on a business trip and she was accompanying him.  They spent 3 days in Barcelona, Spain and had just arrived in Paris for an extended weekend.  Knowing we plan to do the same it was interesting to hear how it was going for them.

Saturday was market day.  I was excited to go back to Marche de Passy and buy my weekend supplies.  I went to the produce stand to say hello with the man I met last week.  Unfortunately he was busy, but a younger guy (18-20) worked with me.  The produce guy did come over a say hello and to ensure the other guy was taking care of me.  There may be some that have better prices, but I like the people.

After the produce I walked over to the fromagerie (sp?), the cheese maker.  Now my true quest begins!  I truly enjoy cheese and I have made it personal goal to become a connesuier of the cheeses I will get to try in France, Spain, Italy and the other countries I'll have the good fortune to visit.  I explained to the lady that was new to France and about my quest.  She seemed very happy to assist me in my initiation into the French cheeses.  She asked if I preferred hard or soft, mild or strong, cow, goat or lamb.  My reply --  bring it on, I like all kinds and textures.  She proceeded to instruct the apprentice to get 3 different kinds - a hard, a strong soft and a goat cheese.  With each cut, he provided me a small sample, told me the name, wrapped it and wrote the name and age of the cheese on the paper.  I thanked them both and vowed to visit next Saturday to try 3 more.

I have been in Paris for 3+ weeks now.  I haven't met the rude inconsiderate French person that is normally portrayed on TV or movies.  In fact it is quite the opposite for me.  From the waiter at Le Passy who brings me my favorite wine, to the Priest at church who shakes my hand after mass, to the hotel staff at the B&B and Regina, to the produce guy or the cheese lady - all have been nice people, tolerant of my American ways and very poor French.

By the way, I had the cheese for dinner that night with a bottle of Burgundy wine and a baguette.  The cheese was fantastic!