I make the trip to the village square this morning; it is market day. I buy croissants: 2 for today and more for the next couple of days. They freeze well and it is easy to defrost them and heat them up in a low oven in the morning. I say goodbye to the lady and tell her that I have enjoyed her croissants very much while I have been in Servian.
I then go to the bread bakery to get bread for our lunch today. The bread is so good there. I say goodbye. She says that she and her family (there are the mother, father and 2 sons who run the bakery) have talked about me at home (!) and wondered where I am from. When I tell her I’m from San Diego, California she is amazed that I would leave San Diego and come to Servian. I have experienced that sentiment in speaking with other French people; it is hard to understand how an American would love France. I think the French can imagine why the British make their home in France (the weather is an important component) but they don’t understand why an American would spend their time here. It’s hard to describe with limited language skills why we would come from paradise (Oceanside) to a small town in France. I think it’s hard for me to explain to myself why we have come! I tell the lady that her bread is fantastic and I have enjoyed it very much.
Today we host our farewell “American Lunch.” Marie brings a Muscat Sec wine as an aperitif. For lunch we serve a “composed” Cobb Salad (not a Cobb Salad that has been tossed).
We plate the dressed greens and arrange the other ingredients around the plate: the lardons (not as good as bacon but it’s OK); chopped hard-boiled eggs; Roquefort cheese; chopped chicken; and sliced avocados. It is beautiful and delicious! For dessert we serve an apricot sorbet that is delicious and cookies. We share wines from Domaine Gardiés: the white wine we enjoyed in Collioure, a nice light red and a sweet, amber wine with dessert.
It’s hard to say goodbye! Marie cries a lot. It would be nice for her to visit us. We discussed in my meager French that if she were to come, the airfares are cheaper January through March. She apparently thought I said to come and stay for those 3 months. We’ll deal with that if it happens!!