Reading through the rest of the mail I came across a postcard of a white sandy beach, rows of red and white beach umbrellas dotting the beach just about everywhere, the bright blue sea could only be the Mediterranean and off in the distance were a small fleet of luxury super yachts – little ocean liners. Scrawled on the postcard in burnt orange: Bonjour de Juan-Les-Pins. Cute where is the little bucket and shovel and baby in diapers on the beach? Who in the hell is sending beach postcards about their wonderful life. I couldn’t have been more supprised: the return address was Hotel Alexandra, rue Pauline Juan-les-Pina, Juan-les-Pins, France. It was from Max and his lovely wife, apparently the two had somehow managed to coordinate their international schedules long enough to manage a long week in the suny South of France. They were planning to be in Paris soon and would like to meet for cocktails and diner. Max added “We are having a wonderful relaxing time and the food is excellent; I had the most wonderful Epaule d’Agneau a l’ail frais the other day, will tell you all about it when we see you of course. Say hello to our mutual friends. À Bientôt mon ami.”
Apéritif Dînatoire With Raymond et Sylvie – Part 1
25 Tuesday May 2010
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I received the invitation last week on my return to Paris. It was a formal invitation to join my friends Raymond and Sylvie for cocktails. The invitation itself was formal and appropriately “flowery” which was not surprising as they are ever so careful to dot their social i’s and cross their t’s. But never mind, I should learn a few of the social graces it might improve things for me. Vous êtes cordialement invités pour un aperitif dinatoire chez Raymond et Sylvie etc. etc., Boulevard Suchet, Paris 16. And a little note from Sylvie, written in her trademark Waterman fountain pen, “we are expecting you so don’t let us down. We have some friends you simply must meet and old acquaintances too.” Normally when someone says they want you to meet a friend it’s usually code for a set-up of sorts that are orchestrated by admittedly well meaning people with blinders on. I would have found myself suddenly busy on that very same day at that very same time. Funny how coincidences are like that. I was sufficiently intrigued to want to attend and you never know what can happen.
If you remember, Max and I are old friends but unfortunately do not see enough of each other as well as his lovely wife – his second wife that is. Max is always globe trotting for one reason or another, I think it has to do with oil though I have never been completly sure of that nor has he really volunteered to tell me just what he does. He has a maddening way just answering the question as it’s been posed – no more. Max has always “turned up” during interesting times; I don’t really know what I mean by that but it’s been the case so far. I scratched my head and wondered what was next. I’m not sure what I’m looking forward to most, the Raymond and Sylvie gathering at their lovely apartment on the Boulevard Suchet or seeing my good friend Max again. Either way both evenings are bound to be interesting.