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April 13 Thursday Bicycle touring France Draguignan France Got up at 8 AM, when the "employee," as Madeleine calls him, arrived to continue working on her bathroom remodelling. I was the very first to use Madeleine's brand new tub. I had just gone to use the washroom and wanted to wash my hands when she presented me with all the bathing accouterments. After I stood staring at the tub for a few minutes, I decided why not? Madeleine took us to her work cafeteria, or canteen, as she referred to it, for lunch. She works for the phone company. There are one hundred and fifty employees and they are provided with cheap meals at the company cafeteria. We had rabbit. I haven't seen that on too many cafeteria menus in North America! Tastes like chicken, only chewier. It costs far less than back home at the Four Seasons Restaurant though. It was a good day to be inside instead of out there trying to bicycle tour ... thunder and rain every few minutes. For supper, Madeleine's friend, Gilbert, came over and barbecued mutton and some pork sausage over the glowing embers in her outdoor fireplace. Gilbert is 70 years old, but he looks much younger. Madeleine's birthday is June 23; she is 58. Gilbert also grilled tomatoes -- very interesting -- that's the first time I've ever seen anyone barbecue tomatoes. The tomatoes are placed on the barbecue grate. When their skin is entirely blackened, apparently they are done. The skin is then cut off and the mushy flesh is set aside to be eaten with fresh bread. Scrumptious. Dessert was fresh strawberries from the store. Madeleine told us that is too hot here in the south of France in the summer to grow strawberries! While in the war, Gilbert learned to speak English. He works as a translator-conciliator for the justice department as a translator. "Oh, in English?" I ask. "Oh, no, in Arabic," he replies. "A very easy language to learn," he assures me. "As easy as English." |
