4th of July at a French house in a country town

 

One of the best things we have discovered since first coming to France for extended visits in 2010 is connecting with the French.  This includes the first and second owners of the apartment in Lyon we rent each time we visit.  We have socialized and become friends with both couples and have found them delightful people.  [It helps that they all speak very good English!]  Our experience here has been much more interesting and fun because we have a connection with them.  We feel much less like simply tourists and more like residents – residents who have had the benefit of intelligent, pleasant people to help make our lives here so much richer than if we had simply continued to exist as American tourists in a foreign country.

We and the Micallefs [our former landlords] were invited to the Parisots’ [our current landlords] home in a town outside of Lyon for a 4^th of July lunch.  And what a wonderful lunch it was – complete with USA wristbands for all and lighted stars on the table.  The afternoon started with glasses of wine or Champagne with a varied assortment of delicious nibbles.  All accompanied by interesting conversation both as a group and in smaller sub-groups. 

Showing Off Our Wristbands

The Parisots are the proud parents of two charming daughters who told us how they survived the pandemic, how school has been going, and something of what their summer plans are. Lucie, the older of the two, is home from university where she studies Marketing and Communication.  This summer she is working as an intern for an ice cream company (we sampled some for dessert).  She told us that all of her classes are in English.  Things have changed since we last saw her two years ago.  She is a charming, intelligent adult now rather than a teenager, and we enjoyed our conversations with her.  Fanny, the younger of the two, is in lycée (high school), has her learner’s permit and is now driving a car (with Mom or Dad in the car).  She, too, has matured in those two years.  Her English is quite good now, and we enjoyed conversing with her about her plans for future university studies.  You could see how they both were alive to the possibilities opening before them of the ability to be more autonomous, not only because they will not have to always rely on parents or friends if they wanted to go somewhere, but also that their futures are opening up with choices and opportunities.

Our Charming Hosts!

Usually when we have lunch at the Parisots, it is outside, with a view across the fields to the hills beyond.  The weather so far this summer has been a bit strange – very hot when we arrived, but then a lot of cool, rainy days.  In fact, Monday there were almost 2 inches in Lyon.  So, we enjoyed our visit and lunch indoors this time.  Barbecued steak and an assortment of baked fresh vegies, some from their garden.  All accompanied by a delicious Côte Rôtie, one of the best local reds and world-renowned.   

With the cheese and dessert, we had a 1999 Jurancon moelleux, from a region near the Pyrenees, a wine somewhat similar to a Sauterne, but made with two little-known grape varities, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng.  Well known or not, the wine was delicious!

A Proper 4th of July Lunch in France!

After lunch, Stéphane showed us one of his ‘wheels’, that he rides to and from the train station, carries onto the train, and then after leaving the train, on to his destination. We’ve seen people riding wheels at home, and it was great to get a demonstration of all of its features from an experienced rider. It’s a fascinating item that seems impossible to ride, but it has a gyroscope that helps the rider stay upright.  It would be fun to try it, but discretion may be the better part here.

An Example of a Wheel

After several hours that passed more quickly than seemed possible, the afternoon came to an end.  Thanks again to the Parisots for a wonderful experience!