We sit at a cafe under the “Hotel Du Centre” on a pedestrianized side road off of the main street of the city, if it can really be said to have one, called Jean Médecin. A cool breeze blows, and the mild weather is actually even a tiny bit cool. I am all too aware that this is “it” for the city, for the season, and temperatures in the very high twenties to thirties, with blinding sun, will be back tomorrow and not relent for the next ten weeks.
When I say “temperatures in the high twenties,” I know I am being a bit provocative to my more Fahrenheit-conversant audience, but I have to learn eventually. For you, to ease your way, let us say mid-eighties will be the rule here for the summer, and I will soon commence to cower like Gollum, muttering about how the sun burns us and is cruel.
Well, it is, but I’m sure it doesn’t mean it.
We have walked this street many dozens of times now but oddly never stopped or had a drink here, despite its sheer pleasantness. I suppose even with its awnings and umbrellas, its broad black-tiled road has always felt particularly vulnerable to the sun, and I guess we’ve never hit it on the right day until now.
Now it’s lovely.
Perhaps the very best thing in this city, or maybe in France, is when you stop and sit, it feels as if that is what everyone is doing, and is the entire purpose of the place.
And all those people still walking by?
They are simply for your entertainment.
p.s.
I meant to take some pictures to illustrate the subject of today's post, but then I ended up just doing mock branding instead:
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