Diane in Paris(PART 2 OF 4)
So, Kato, you enjoyed life in Paris with Sayuri, didn't you?
Yes, Diane, you're telling me. However, it was all in my dream.
Are you kidding?
Oh, no. If you click the above link and read the article, you'll find it quite hilarious.
Unfortunately, I cannot read Japanese.
Too bad. I wish you could read my articles in Japanese.
Anyway, Kato, what part of the city do you like the most?
I like the Latin Quarter.
QUARTIER LATIN
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
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Especially Saint-Germain district---Saint Germain des Prés. This is the best part of the city to me. It was the haunt of writers and artists.
Oh, was it?
Oh, yes. In the 19th century, painters like Manet and writers Balzac and Georges Sand frequented the area, which was the home to a number of famous cafés, such as Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore, and in the 1920s Picasso and Hemingway visited those cafés. It was the center of the existentialist movement associated with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
So, Kato, you're attracted by the scent of art, aren't you?
Yes, I think so.
When you visit Paris, you take a stroll in the neighborhood of Saint-Germain, don't you?
Yes, I do. By the way, I come to know that Fujiko Hemming also loves Saint Germain des Prés.
Memories of
Saint Germain des Prés
In spring, I was sitting in the cafe of Saint Germain des Prés.
It was raining and cold.
I've taken two cups of café au lait.
Soon it started downpouring. Nobody walked outside.
I looked out blankly when an old woman came in with a mandolin, followed by two dogs with drooping ears.
The old lady in a shaggy overcoat and the two dogs were soaked up in the rain.
The lady sat down at a table near me.
After wiping her dogs, she then wiped herself.
She was about 70 years old, apparently one of the street artists of Saint Germain des Prés.
Both dogs were gentle, tightly wrapped up for protection with a tiny blanket.
When a boy came in, the old lady ordered two café au lait, hot milk, and a snack.
The boy didn't throw out two wet dogs.
In Paris people care about dogs as much as themselves.
When the boy brought the drinks, the old lady took out a pan from her luggage, and poured some milk into it, then gave each dog some food.
Both dogs started licking warm milk happily.
The lady also sipped café au lait, holding the cup with cold-numb hands.
Relieved somewhat, I glanced at the adorable dogs once in a while.
Aftre half an hour, the old lady took out her purse and cheked into it, then she called the boy and asked for a favor.
Apparently, she didn't have enough money.
Although I was poor myself at the time, I couldn't ignore the scene, and walked up and paid on her behalf.
It wasn't much anyway.
The old lady thanked me a lot, saying that she would pay later after doing her performances on the street.
"Oh, don't bother. It was my present for your adorable dogs."
I like animals. So, I really meant it.
"Well, they are brothers, and I love both," said the old warm-hearted lady.
Whenever I walk through Saint Germain des Prés, the lady and the dogs come into my mind, warming my heart.
(Note: Picture from the Denman library
Translated by Kato)
SOURCE: "My heart's in Paris"
by Fujiko Hemming
５７ページ 『我が心のパリ』
著者： フジ子・へミング
２００５年２月２５日 初版発行
発行所： 株式会社 阪急コミュニケーションズ
(To be continued)