Connect and Commit

"It takes a major sustained effort to stay fully connected as you age, no matter your gender. The stakes are enormous. And it all comes back to biology, the biology of connection and love."
 - says Harry from Younger Next Year for Women, page 294.

Yes I am still plugging through this doctor recommended book, that I took on several months after our return from Paris last year. The idea was for this book to help me physically (perhaps exercise and get into shape), improve my not so spectacular carb rich regime (baguette anyone?), and get serious about my health. With our recent return visit to Paris, our first since moving back to Canada, it is only a propos to cover Harry's Rule #7 now: Connect and Commit.

Returning to Paris only nine months after we left was for one main reason: to connect, to reconnect, to maintain the relationships we made with family and friends while living in Paris last year. With all our little cousins and second cousins aged 8-years-old and younger, I knew that if we waited several years before returning, the bonds we had formed with them would have been lost. They would not even remember us.

And yes, we went back to Paris so soon because, well, we kind of like, or rather, love Paris, if you have not noticed!

Strong family bonds with our Parisian family has always been a top priority and we were anxious to see our always welcoming French family.

Nathalie peeling kilos of tomatoes with cousin Patrick.

The girls were also looking forward to meeting up with the good friends and their families, that they made at school last year. My version of this was lunches and drinks with my former writing 

group. Just spending a few hours with them was motivating. Fabulous to hear words of encouragement from our mentor and instructor Christine, who called me a rock star, hence giving me a swift coup de pied in the derrière to get writing more. After constant communication over the last nine months with all these wonderful friends, it was superb to spend time with them and maintain the connections we have.

Calins avec l'adorable Marie! 

LouLou! 

Une belle journée a Villiers avec les Cabritas. 

Nos grand-mères d'adoption à Paris; Lucie et Mireille.

There are connections we have with Paris, we will never lose, they are simply part of Paris. Our love of the arts, always available at your doorstep in Paris, new exhibits to discover, older permanent exhibits that you see in a new light, the magic of the art scene is never ending. This time included the fabulous Robert Doisneau exhibit at l'Hotel de Ville entitled "Doisneau, Paris les Halles." Already a Doisneau fan myself, the girls discovered this photographer who had the talent to inject brilliance into every day life. To see some of the wonderful photos take a look at this link (don't mind the talking.) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xogab3_expo-doisneau-a-l-hotel-de-ville-des-halles-d-hier-aux-halles-de-demain_news

Doisneau's market flower girl.

"Honey I'm on my way home with dinner!"

This was followed by a visit to Pompidou Centre, to discover the fabulous contemporary art her walls hold, modern sculptures and a current special Matisse exhibit introducing the three of us to his magic.

And of course, in Paris the connection to food is undeniable. When I told the girls several months ago that we were heading back to Paris for a visit, one of the first things that excited them was tasting some of their favourite French foods. High on their lists: carambars, choquettes, baguettes from their favourite bakery, macaroons, escargots, foie gras - all foods mostly available in Calgary as well, but that seem to taste better when enjoyed in the city of light.  You cannot spend time in Paris and not be drawn in by the food, the excellent wine, the delicacies, the sublime tastes and the exquisiteness of the nourishment.

Enjoying an evening class of wine on a lovely Parisian terrasse.

Nathalie trying to get at her escargots! 

Definitely a weakness and no need to mention the unbinding connection!

What I should have been eating regularly in Paris! 

Even when in Paris I still follow my favourite anglophone foodie Paris blog by David Lebovitz, Living the Sweet Life in Paris. And when not in Paris, his postings make me want to be with him, eating steak frites accompanied by a hearty glass of red wine. Check out his blog at http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2012/05/aux-tonneaux-des-halles-paris-bistro-restaurant/ 

Yes, it gives me blog envy. And yes, I seem to have veered off topic here - which easily happens when food is being discussed! 

Walking the streets of our Paris neighbourhood I understood that this is my city too. I felt a definite connection to the streets, the local businesses including the gentleman manning the counter at our corner store (or l'alimentation générale as Gabrielle always calls it), the brothers tending the counter at our favourite boulangerie on Boulevard Exelmans, the old farmer selling delicious Goldrush apples at the marche and even the gendarmes (police) out in full riot gear on Federal Election night - ok well maybe not quite the gendarmes!  Nathalie took off on the metro by herself, to friend's homes, feeling comfortable making solo trips on public transportation. This is what Parisians do, and so when in Paris...

Just another day on the metro. 

Although we are Canadians, we have a definite feeling of belonging when in Paris. We feel connected to the language and the culture and have a longing to stay connected with our French heritage. I love this quote from travel writer Julian More: "getting to know a foreign country is like sex: the younger you start, the longer you continue." Although France is not a foreign country to us, my relationship and connection with her started indeed very young, as it has for my girls. And will continue for many years to come. It is important and part of us. But as Harry says, you have to make a sustained effort to maintain this connection. We are making the effort.  And if this means that we have to make yearly trips to France, we are certainly happy to make the sacrifice and do this as well!