baguette

The End of Civilization

For longer than anyone can remember, the baker wrapped a small piece of paper around the middle of the baguette as a handhold. The artisans would just twist the ends to keep it in place, lesser mortals resorted to scotch tape.

But now, in yet another sign of decaying social values, there comes the baguette bag as advertising medium. Quel horreur!

McDonald’s on the Champs Elysée: that was bad, but we’re over it.

EuroDisney: now France’s most popular tourist attraction.

These things happen around Paris, too much television.

But the baguette bag in rural Roussillon, merde.

Coming soon: the Apple logo on Canigou and the Google Gorge de Galamus.

Breakfast with the Giants

Real change takes time.

You can’t hop off a plane right into a new life, at least not during baseball season. So, It’s good to know that Giants’ blackout territory does not extend to Maury, local radio doesn’t have the scores and the Chronicle is not on my doorstep. In other words, it’s new to me. MLB-TV, coffee and a fresh baguette (finished before the photo) work fine for me.

Besides, French culture isn’t all that quick to adopt me: I went to the bank in St. Paul today to open a new account and was told I could have a rendez-vous with Mlle. Borette next Tuesday to discuss the matter. I’m looking forward to it.

I know I’m veering dangerously into Peter Mayle territory here, but it’s hard to avoid and if it sells a few books, why complain, or rather, why not?

Stay tuned.