Jerome Francois & Mary, Brunch @ Mariage du Freres

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  Paris, France
Sunday, May 25, 2008

Today we were having brunch with Francois, Jerome and Mary. We were told that we had reservations at Mariage du Frier's tea shop and to be there Promptly at 1:30. Mary met us at St Paul on line 5 (she had told us line 11 but I figured it out at Franklin D Roosevelt station, that we were on the wrong line.) Francois and Jerome were late, so we lost our reservation and had to wait in line. The tea house was the most amazing and beautiful shop I have seen! Such a business they do with hundreds upon hundreds of large canisters where fine imported tea is meted out by the gram, as well as jams, confits, candies, tea sets and other items, luxurious. We waited another 30 min and were finally seated in a tight corner. I ordered a round of champagne breakfast drinks that were made from champagne, red Marco Polo tea and hard cider. They were absolutely delicious! Our meals were chosen from a set menu. Bri and I has ouefs sans samon, and vegetables mixte, while the others had fish. We each chose a different tea and tried each others---yum! We has to get up and walk to the chariot du patisse and choose our dessert. Brian had a chocolate tart, I had a mango torte and the rest has a crème brulee in a pastry crust.

Afterward, we walked the wonderful streets, past Notre Dame, and pausing to see a procession of priests and Catholics holding ancient banners from medieval parishes. The priests were singing and hundreds of parishioners were following. We then went to the flower market and on Sundays this included a bird market. I was pointing out the different species to Mary. Finches and canaries predominated, followed by tiels, and a few larger parrot species. One particular baby African grey was clearly sick and far too young to be out in the open market. Brian and I both fought tears as we watched the poor thing suffer alone and cold.

Onward we walked, over the Seine and past shops, hotels, etc. We heard cathedral bells as we navigated the narrow ancient streets. It was so lovely to be out in the sun with our dear friends. We talked and laughed and sent the whole afternoon afoot in the winding streets of Paris. Time to part, it was difficult. It was hard to say goodbye to such dear people. We kissed and hugged and again fought tears as we pre-arranged to meet again in September, God willing. Bri and I again entered the belly of the transport system and I easily negotiated our way back to Trocadero. After a brief stop at the hotel, my husband, who was feeling much better today, wanted dinner. It was raining a soft, warm rain outside and we walked the darkening streets to an Italian restaurant a few blocks from our hotel. I didn't want Italian again and it didn't sit well with me, but our only other choice was French cuisine, which admittedly, neither of us prefers. The wine was superb, the meal quite good, and I then proceeded to lead us in the wrong direction back home. When we reached the Arc du Triomphe ( Which Brian always calls the "Arc du Retreat" outside of the earshot of any Frenchmen) We realized we had walked several block in 180 degrees the wrong direction.. No problem! The night was young and warm, albeit a bit wet, but it made Paris sparkle in reflected light, as we headed back to trocadero. The Eiffel was still lit but now I wasn't feeling well and had to get back to the room. I suffered the same as Brian had saturday, but it was over quickly and we still had time to stand at our narrow window and glimpse the midnight revelry at the glorious Eiffel. We watched a bit of tv (CNN) read a bit, and then fell blissfully into oblivion. Another perfect end to a perfect day.

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