A Surprise Visit

Our evening walk down Boulevard de Grenelle took us along the Seine for a look at the many houseboats, and past the Yacht club where scrumptious bread was lurking in the bushes for my four-legged friend to snag. The looming Tower is everywhere and has become my landmark. Getting lost in this neighborhood is not possible. After a couple hours we returned home, I fed Bella her evening meal, freshened up and was on my way out the door to grab dinner when there was a rap at the door?

I opened the door to find a French woman and a man on the other side, smiling at me. My first thought? Surely there are no soliciting Mormons HERE? My fear was that she was going to speak to me and I was not going to be able to reply except with the required Bonjour Madame. Instead I heard the man on my right ask if this was Tails-By-The-Bay, in English? At first it didn’t register, I was so confused then suddenly I realized it was my British friend, but wait - he’s not suppose to be here until lunchtime tomorrow? And who is the woman?

And so the story goes. . . he arrived in Paris a day early and had been walking around the Champs de Mars for a couple hours in search of a black & white Dalmatian and me. Finally, on the verge of giving up for the evening he convinced the French woman at the entrance of the complex to let him in the building. He is not only extremely charming, but speaks French fluently albeit with an English accent. Although he did have the street address he had no idea which apartment to find me. Apparently he identified where I might be by describing Bella. At that, the woman knew immediately it was the apartment next door to her, and invited him in.

And so it was - a late dinner at La Gauloise in the neighborhood.  A Kir for starters followed by French onion soup (no cheese), rich boeuf bourguignon, vin rouge, and a light lemon custard for dessert. The waiter informed me that I was now French after eating this delicious stew. Really? Can I expect to wake up speaking the language tomorrow? NOT!

A very confusing, yet delightful evening for this jetlagged American in Paris! And tomorrow night? Dinner at a Michelin 3-Star Restaurant in the heart of the City. Stay tuned.