The Birthday Boy - He's 60

Alexandra & Mia decorated the room with balloons and crinkly hangers rubbing the obvious with "he's 60" messages. There was food galore and drinks flowed. What a way to welcome "60".
He was surrounded with friends and loved ones. His boys were around. He is healthy and happy (I'm sure). What more can he ask for? Nothing much - he's easy. He is just thankful for all of the blessings. Tatay is 60.

Of Vinyls and Old Songs

M y siblings and I had a vast collection of music records when we were growing up. These were called LPs (long playings). The CDs nor the cassettes were not in existence then.
I still remember these records - these came in 45s - one song on each face, the 78s - I think it also accomodated one song or three maybe and the 33s. The last was the most popular one. It can hold 5 songs in each face for a total of 10 songs per album. Pero kung mga bands like Led Zeppelin with his Stairway To Heaven fame or Allman Brothers Band's In Memory of Elizabeth Reed, then one side of the vinyl might just hold two songs.
Why am I writing about these? Again the vinyl was a part of my growing up- growing old days. We used to have the soirees in High School and music was the most critical component of the gathering - aside of course from the good looking boys from the other side of the fence. Whoever was manning the turntable (phonograph) should be familiar with the music mix. How many fast songs to play followed by the slow songs.
Which brings me to this tune of the Rolling Stones - another favorite of mine. This particular song was composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. They were younger then. I had the original LP at home. I do not have the turntable now to spin the record. There is no need for it since I have the CD. It just does not sound the same though. The tune from the CD sounds too clean.
I'd rather hear the scratches of the needle against the vinyl. That would sound more rough; more real, badder to the bone. Just like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards behaving badly. Both were a part of my vinyls and old songs collection. Enjoy the music.

Clermont Ferrand, FR Part2

M asillon was James' school for a year. It was located in the heart of town. He rode the train from his home to school.

We were brought to the Michelin headquarters. A Michelin grandson (indeed his last name was Michelin) was James' classmate in school. Any coupon for a free tire no?





We were hosted by a French family during our stay at Clermont Ferrand. Again, we had an exchange of cultural niceties in food, in art, in work practise and of course in language (read: we hardly understand the conversation).




As always, the food was terrific - so was the wine. The potatoes were creamy and the creme brulee was perfect. But, I was starting to miss my serving of rice. Couscous was the European counterpart of rice. That has not been served to us so far. James informed me that it was not a popular part of the meal. Just my luck.

Biglang bigla, parang mas masarap kumain ng sinangag at tuyo kasama ng sawsawan ng sukang pinakurat. The ambiance was different yet the taste buds remain the same. The song remains the same - sabi ni Led Zeppelin.

Clermont Ferrand, France

C lermont Ferrand was 3 hours by train from Paris. We spent 3 days in this town to see what the place looked like. This was James' hometown for almost a year.




The town was a small Paris. The buildings were old and full of character. It also had the cobblestones and the old churches. What will be Europe without the boutiques and the fashionista havens?



We had a mini tour of the town that afternoon. He showed us the Catholic church he heard mass at every weekend. He had a favorite restaurant that he planned on taking us for lunch tomorrow. The train seemed to be the chosen mode of transportation by almost everyone.



Dinner was spent with the Rotary family. We met the three sets of host parents. They have nothing but praises for the young man. They were all busy conversing with each other. Jim and I just sat back and observed. Oui?

The food was good - so was the wine. Legal age to drink - 16 years old!!! The host parents told us that wine was a part of the meal. James was allowed to drink wine - James was sipping wine. James is 17 yrs. old.

I was surprised initially but my jaw did not drop. I was forewarned by friends regarding the "wine" issue. I pretended it was a matter of fact. But I guess my expression said it all. Was I cool with it? I still have to get used to the idea.

Parisian

Some of the good things are found where the locals migrate - follow the scent of the food ika nga. We went to the local market to experience how to go "native".


Their market looks just like our very own Arranque Market in Quiapo. It just smells different and looks a lot cleaner. Hindi mapanghi and hindi maputik. I did not miss the hawkers and the mandurukots.


Fromage, cheese, was in abundance and in different flavors, texture and smell.


Such a lively mixture of colors - fruits, flowers and vegetables. ""


Just like back home, one is allowed to haggle - make tawad. The trick there is to know what to say. The French insist that anybody in France should attempt to speak their language. Kaya napagkakamalan silang arrogante or mayabang. But it is just that - they are proud of their language. Kahit kaunting merci beaucoup will suffice. By the way, the boys took care of the haggling. We bought some fromage, coppa, strawberries and of course some french bread.

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France

A nd finally we made it to France!!!! We took the Eurostar from London to Paris - a good 3 hours of train ride. The flat that we rented is right in the middle of it all - beauty and grime of Paris. We were able to walk to the Arc De Triomphe without panting and hyperventilating.
Kuya AJ picked up James from the Gare Du Lyon. He was taking the train from Clermont Ferrand France. The big brother didn't have difficulty understanding the train/metro map. I thought the whole thing was a maze.
Here are some pictures taken on certain turista areas of Paris. We have not taken a trip together for a long time. This is the first now that the boys are grown and we all savored the company.






We were all excited to see James. The changes were very subtle. He is taller and his biceps are more pronounced. He is the same yet he is not. He dresses different and has some mannerisms that I have not seen before. Worst - he is very fluent with the French language.

I totally enjoyed just watching him and Kuya AJ converse in this dialect not Tagalog. Kuya was able to practise his French twang with the younger brother. The latter had his so minutes of fame. It is is turn to shine. It is James' turn now to impress everybody.

He became our translator/tour guide. He had no qualms approaching strangers for directions. He had all the explanations about how different the French culture was from the Americans or the Pinoys.
He spent a year in this foreign country. I had all my fears then when he left last year. All of those thoughts were pretty much mental exercises. This young man did fine. He had a good time. He has grown. Did he miss us? Somewhat but not really. The home cooked food of nanay? Nah - the fromage, baguettes and nutella taste just as great.

London Quirks

I discovered and learned a lot of new stuff as we went through this European journey. Certain quirks that would make one laugh are all worth recording and remembering.
London is famous for a lot of events. One in particular is the changing of the guards at the Buckingham Palace. Just like the US counterpart at Washington DC, these guards are known to be immobilized - literally. They are expected to be still and unmoved with no emotion. This particular fellow was supposedly "on the job" on one of the buildings close to the riding arena.



Here are some more of his pictures.

And another one