Too Many Choices

My favorite baguette bakery--with its out-the-door line

Because church was held out of town today, I got the day off.  It did feel a little odd to not have to play, especially this close to Christmas.  I could have hitched a ride, I suppose, but i did not want to inconvenience anyone, nor did I want to devote the ENTIRE day there--and it would have meant spending the whole day there, as there was a meal planned.  It was far better to enjoy the Sunday off.

Band-leader Santa

Trombone reindeer

And, since it is getting close to Christmas some of the stores in the Bastide open with limited hours on the three Sundays prior to the big day.  I don't shop on Sundays as a general rule.  It's not only because they are closed, but also because I like the slow pace that having things closed brings to my routine.  

Haven't seen one of these in two years

Or one of these, either.  It's bigger than the Christmas huts

But today I thought I would walk down to Bouchara to see what kind of Christmas tablecloth I might be able to find on sale.  After breakfast of eggs and vente millas (the seasonal local version of polenta) I tidied the kitchen and set off, camera in hand.

Park on the sidewalk

The first encounter was barely a block from the apartment--Santa and his combo--two elves (drums and sousaphone), a snowman (on saxophone) and two reindeer (on trombone and one on the saxophone) were playing to the crowd.  I stopped to listen, clap, and take some photos before setting of again toward Place Carnot.

One of my favorites--so elegant

Ford was strongly represented

When I reached the square, the place was hopping busy.  Antique cars were parked around the perimeter of the square, one or two even ON the sidewalk (maybe they were Italian???) and the place was thronged with people.  I was in heaven with the camera and the cars.  When I came across the big Lincoln? with Arizona license plates I had to laugh out loud.  I haven't seen THAT in more than two years! 

Santa's band had by then made its own way to the other side of the square and was playing a medley of 50's---I will follow him, follow him wherever he may go--there isn't an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep me away.....You know that song by Peggy March, made truly famous in Sister Act.  So, of course, I had to stay and listen and sing....

I eventually made it to Bouchara just in time to be asked to leave, as it was---wait for it---lunch time!  Oh well, I didn't really need a Christmas tablecloth, did I?

After the song refreshment

On the way back, I ran into a male choir gathered around one of the high wine bar tables.  Two bottles of white were open on the table and they were singing, sometimes in French and others in what I think was Catalan.  How great it was to hear those male voices in harmony. After each song, everyone had a little glass of wine.  What a GREAT idea! 

As I turned homeward, a big black motorcycle that hadn't been there when I came through caught my eye.  It was my first encounter with a  "Communist" motorcycle, complete with red star and the hammer and sickle.  It was polished to a mirror shine.  So very interesting.

Motorcycle and sidecar

windshield medallion--the hammer and sickle

I next encountered the Disney characters parading through the streets, hugging and slapping hi-fives with the passers-by.  Everyone was in such a happy mood. One of the lessons I have learned from living more in the moment is that when the seasons and holidays are not rushed or anticipated too early in the mad scramble for the consumer's dollar, I actually do enjoy the season and/or holiday.  We haven't had our Christmas lights shining since September.  Maybe because I know I won't be seeing them for weeks and weeks, they are special while they ARE shining.  It's like the market--when the asparagus is out of season, there is no asparagus. I appreciate it all the more knowing ti won't be here forever.

Donald Duck as Santa

Mickey needs new ears?

My tabac was open for a part of the day, in solidarity with the other pedestrian street shops, but as they are not normally open, they did not have my Sunday La Depeche.  So I simply walked to the train station to get a copy, stopping on the bridge to note the progress of cleaning the canal and the maintenance of the locks.  The lower gates are back on in place, but the water is still drained.  I was struck by the contrast of the green grass against the browns of the canal bottom and the grey of the bridge railing, in obvious need of repair.  

Looking toward Narbonne, the canal is still drained

Hole in the bridge railing needs fixing

I headed off to an old-line Carcassonne establishment for a lunch of saucisse et frites (sausage and fries), washed down with a glass of the house red.  All three were delicious.  I topped off the afternoon with a matinee showing of Maria Callas, the documentary about the legendary diva.  I was spellbound and at times found tears leaking from my eyes, brought on by the pathos of her singing and the pathos of her life.  

And while all this was going on, I missed the market at Halles Prosper Montagne and the Young Farmers' exhibit at Le Dome....as well as who knows what was going on up on the butte at the Cite.  There is so much to do here during the holidays; how could anyone ever be bored?