Last weekend I went to Avignon to visit Slawa. It was nice to have a break from Gap and to see a friendly face. Saturday night we met up with our friend Corie and went to the apartment of two other American teaching assistants to make pancakes for dinner. The other assistants, however, live with two French girls who were also having people over for dinner. It wasn't a problem, but the interesting thing is we got to see a bunch of young French twenty-somethings hang out. They made a savory meatball and vegetable casserole in a tagine that looked like a work of art. It took a couple of hours to prepare, but their preparation was part of the evening. They drank wine, danced spontaneously to traditional music, played the flute, told jokes, talked about their lives and intermingled with us - all while preparing an incredible meal. It started around 8pm and they didn't finish eating until after midnight.
I really love the French adoration for the relationship of food and camaraderie. Of course, food is essential in many cultures, but in France 'gastronomie' is taken to another level. I've seen it (and partaken in it) so many times here already. It starts with an 'aperitif' which is a glass of wine with a salty snack like mixed nuts or something that resembles Chex Mix. Then a cup of soup or a small salad. After that, you get the main dish which is usually some kind of meat and always delicious. Often it's served with vegetables. After you that you might eat a small sweet desert, but most of the time it is just some wonderful, wonderful cheese. Mmmmmmmmmmm...cheese. I really hope that I keep this appreciation once I leave France.
Sunday morning Slawa and I got up to take a tour of the famous 'Pont d'Avignon' which means the 'Avignon Bridge.' It was pretty cool. At one time it led from one side of the Rhone River to the palace of the Pope. FYI, for about 70 years, Avignon was the home to the papacy starting in the early 14th century. Just like the Vatican today - Avignon used to be a sovereign state. The bridge was built between 1171 and 1185, with an original length of more than 900 m (2950 ft). It has been knocked down many times due to floods and has been reconstructed each time. Also, there is very famous French song that goes, 'Sur le pont d'Avignon, l'on y danse, l'on y danse...' which means, 'On the Avignon Bridge, we danced there...' So of course, Slawa and I danced on it. And under it. And in it. And around it.It was a good weekend.
