Christmas Preparations and Random Ramblings

Storefront decorations

Stores are starting to dress themselves in holiday finery.  It takes some time for the city to get ready for the holiday, so they've been working for the past week or two stringing lights across the streets and decorating the parks.   The rides for La Magie de Noel (Christmas Magic) are being assembled and the "midway" attractions are in place along the edge of the Bastide.  The tradition here is to have sort of a carnival with rides for the children and small little huts where one can buy local crafts, regional specialties like nougat and of course, hot wine and hot chocolate.  They are mostly closed during the day and then in the evenings, families come to enjoy the atmosphere and maybe do a little shopping. On the weekends, there are activities scheduled:  concerts or medieval re-enactments, markets centered around the church, as they would have been centuries and centuries ago,  selling artisan breads, candies, foie gras, The ice rink is nearly completed and Neptune has a full complement of "icicles." 

One of the "big" rides being assembled by the Canal

I like that the French enjoy things in due season.  They aren't rushing Christmas, but they have been working hard getting ready--practicing carols, dance moves, getting the torches ready for next weekend's big kick-off, getting the publicity to the papers and on-line.  The recent terror attacks and resulting state of emergency have caused some locales to scale back or cancel their Christmas markets, but sleepy little Carcassonne isn't affected, other than there will probably be an increased police presence.  (As a side note, a planned demonstration in Paris to draw attention to the COP21 Climate Change meeting was cancelled.  The organizers put out pairs of shoes instead....hundreds of pairs of them where people would have stood. Very effective)

Getting one of the "huts" ready

I can't decide whether or not to participate in the torch parade this year.  On one hand, it would be great fun.  On the other, I wouldn't get to actually SEE it, and, trust me, it is well worth seeing.  

Properly "iced" Neptune and skating rink takes shape

One side effect of the ice rink and the huts at Carnot is that the Saturday market is now wall to wall people, or shopping sac to shopping sac....I ran into Monsieur le Mayor--literally.  This is not our first, or even our second encounter.  He did recognize me, which is a good thing, I think.  I haven't really figured out what my purpose is for being here, but I am convinced that somehow the mayor and the city government figure into it. 

Gambetta wears its lights

Bought a classic leather purse at the Arab market for only 10 Euros--one of the vendors was having a "liquidation" sale.  And I got a pair of Nordic looking house-socks to keep my feet warm,  Fortunately I found a pair of men's-sized for these big feet of mine.  Getting shoes here is a definite problem for me.  Thankfully  onlineshoes.com ships world-wide.

The weather has warmed up just a little and there was no wind today. Before we know it, the solstice will be upon us and we will begin our ride back toward the sun.  Perversely, December 21 or 22, whichever is the solstice is one of my favorite days here--the darkness has done its worst and now we are headed back to the light.  The ski stations will open next weekend and it looks as though there will be plenty of snow.  As I headed out of the city limits today with a friend, the snow covered Pyrenees gleamed.

Getting the appetizer plates ready

Bake sale a la francaise

I participated in my first church pot-luck; what an interesting experience that was.  However, I was surrounded by French speakers and seated next to Bertrand, who is sort of bi-lingual.  He regaled his lunch companions with very bad jokes...and I felt like I spoke more French than English (his wife, Elise, relishes any opportunity to speak English) and since the meal lasted 3 hours, I got quite the French lessons. I could actually see improvement from the beginning of the meal to the end.  I learned a couple of things.  First, not all French women can cook.  Secondly, try not to get seated in the middle of a long table; the food never quite leaves the ends of the table.  Thirdly, it is perfectly acceptable to use the same glass for wine, water, Orangina and coffee. (just not all at the same time)

And lastly, oeufs mayonnaise (eggs mayonnaise) sounds better than it tastes. And most importantly--French people do not eat the skins of their boiled or baked potatoes.  But Americans DO!

The main difference between American and French church suppers