An amazing day! In thinking about how to describe it for the Forum, I Google’d “August Sunday on St. Barths.” The AI response (I’m barely becoming accustomed to this technology) offered “ideal for those who travel well, appreciate peace and privacy, and enjoy a slower pace of luxury.” What do you think? I’d say that it’s not far from the mark!
Pour moi, peace & a slower pace of luxury, for sure . . . starting with morning Mass in Lorient.
Usually starting at 10 AM, & believing that I was arriving a bit late, as I often do on SBH (“island time”) . . . I sat ‘til 10:30 through a growing crowd, with lots of organ & choir rehearsal. The smell of incense wafting through this open air space. What’s going on, I wondered . . . as multiple priests in High Mass regalia & assorted “clerics” gathered around the Church. It got to be the size of a meeting for the passing of a Pope!
Finally, the Conclave began. Though I was thinking it might be the funeral of a beloved priest, it turned out to be a celebration of the 50th year of priesthood for a much admired “local.” Leading the celebration was the Bishop from St. Martin.
Great panoply . . . numerous speeches & honorifics. (Among many times when I wish that I knew more French.)
Now, keep in mind that I arrived about 10:10. At 12:30, as testimonials (& the Mass) were seeming to wrap-up, I slipped out of the Church in a moment when the congregation rose in applause & laughter (of course, I didn’t grasp much of it).
Nevertheless, as I thought that I was going to get away — unnoticed — an older (maybe about my age!) “local,” under a tent harboring a celebratory feast, beckoned me over with a large paper cup held aloft. It turned out to be an offering of Planteur punch. A reward for enduring 2+ hours? . . . wouldn’t it have been ungracious to ignore such a kind entreaty?
So, cup in hand (& boy-oh-boy, it was a powerful Planteur!), this lovely man & I enjoyed a rousing “conversation,” with him eagerly speaking to me in French . . . and me being savvy enough to nod, laugh, & be serious at what seemed to be the appropriate times! It all worked! As applause rose from inside the Church, this kind gentleman began uncovering great tins of food . . . but not before insisting on refilling my Planteur. Once again, I was FORCED to accept his kindness as I took an exit.
By this time, the thought of returning to Villa CEC, to fix myself a very nice tuna fish salad, seemed ludicrous. So — nearly three hours into a simple plan for a 45 minute Sunday morning Mass — I called Pearl Beach to see if I might get a table. With the background noise of a plane departing from the nearby runway, a woman who answered the phone told me that it was impossible — “fully booked.”
Well . . . luck was on my side! (Probably because I sat through that unintelligible, interminable Service!). My phone immediately rang back . . . “Dennis — I have your table for you!”
It was a glorious afternoon. Almost like Communion!
Some cool refreshments . . . tasty shrimp tempura . . . and exceptionally yummy steak tartare (the chunky variety). A beautiful day, the beach scene, of course, was alternately ridiculous, humorous, & filled with young, awesome, “hard bodies.” Such an unexpected time.
Meanwhile, I had a reunion with Jean Baptiste, former proprietor of Zion Restaurant, & his beautiful, very sweet partner
. . . and, with a farewell hug, wished my friend, the great, young, & very gracious Pearl Beach host / manager, safe travels as he heads to his native Norway for a vacation.
On my way home, with time to spare before seeing a buddy in the evening, I decided to pass by Ti Corail to say “Hi” to my girlfriends there.
Unbeknownst to me (no one called me!), their last day of service ‘til October (the 10th, as I recall) was yesterday, so the team was at the restaurant . . . cleaning & polishing every surface & dish & pot & pan, carefully closing-up for a six week holiday.
Getting back to CEC, there was time for a swim & short nap before prepping a bit of food for my dinner companion. He brought great wine
& charcuterie . . . I offered cocktails & a light dinner of sautéed chicken breasts & filet mignon, carved into tender bite-size pieces, with a salad of red & yellow tomatoes & red onions in a vinaigrette dressing. Dessert of several sorbets. All of which was consumed while standing around the high counter at the kitchen . . . very much a Julia Child venue & perfect for two friends enjoying “peace & privacy and a slower pace of luxury!”
The evening ended peacefully, as I cleaned-up a few dishes & savored a late Summer evening on St. Barths
AI got it right!
Pour moi, peace & a slower pace of luxury, for sure . . . starting with morning Mass in Lorient.
Usually starting at 10 AM, & believing that I was arriving a bit late, as I often do on SBH (“island time”) . . . I sat ‘til 10:30 through a growing crowd, with lots of organ & choir rehearsal. The smell of incense wafting through this open air space. What’s going on, I wondered . . . as multiple priests in High Mass regalia & assorted “clerics” gathered around the Church. It got to be the size of a meeting for the passing of a Pope!
Finally, the Conclave began. Though I was thinking it might be the funeral of a beloved priest, it turned out to be a celebration of the 50th year of priesthood for a much admired “local.” Leading the celebration was the Bishop from St. Martin.
Great panoply . . . numerous speeches & honorifics. (Among many times when I wish that I knew more French.)
Now, keep in mind that I arrived about 10:10. At 12:30, as testimonials (& the Mass) were seeming to wrap-up, I slipped out of the Church in a moment when the congregation rose in applause & laughter (of course, I didn’t grasp much of it).
Nevertheless, as I thought that I was going to get away — unnoticed — an older (maybe about my age!) “local,” under a tent harboring a celebratory feast, beckoned me over with a large paper cup held aloft. It turned out to be an offering of Planteur punch. A reward for enduring 2+ hours? . . . wouldn’t it have been ungracious to ignore such a kind entreaty?
So, cup in hand (& boy-oh-boy, it was a powerful Planteur!), this lovely man & I enjoyed a rousing “conversation,” with him eagerly speaking to me in French . . . and me being savvy enough to nod, laugh, & be serious at what seemed to be the appropriate times! It all worked! As applause rose from inside the Church, this kind gentleman began uncovering great tins of food . . . but not before insisting on refilling my Planteur. Once again, I was FORCED to accept his kindness as I took an exit.
By this time, the thought of returning to Villa CEC, to fix myself a very nice tuna fish salad, seemed ludicrous. So — nearly three hours into a simple plan for a 45 minute Sunday morning Mass — I called Pearl Beach to see if I might get a table. With the background noise of a plane departing from the nearby runway, a woman who answered the phone told me that it was impossible — “fully booked.”
Well . . . luck was on my side! (Probably because I sat through that unintelligible, interminable Service!). My phone immediately rang back . . . “Dennis — I have your table for you!”
It was a glorious afternoon. Almost like Communion!
Some cool refreshments . . . tasty shrimp tempura . . . and exceptionally yummy steak tartare (the chunky variety). A beautiful day, the beach scene, of course, was alternately ridiculous, humorous, & filled with young, awesome, “hard bodies.” Such an unexpected time.
Meanwhile, I had a reunion with Jean Baptiste, former proprietor of Zion Restaurant, & his beautiful, very sweet partner
. . . and, with a farewell hug, wished my friend, the great, young, & very gracious Pearl Beach host / manager, safe travels as he heads to his native Norway for a vacation.
On my way home, with time to spare before seeing a buddy in the evening, I decided to pass by Ti Corail to say “Hi” to my girlfriends there.
Unbeknownst to me (no one called me!), their last day of service ‘til October (the 10th, as I recall) was yesterday, so the team was at the restaurant . . . cleaning & polishing every surface & dish & pot & pan, carefully closing-up for a six week holiday.
Getting back to CEC, there was time for a swim & short nap before prepping a bit of food for my dinner companion. He brought great wine
& charcuterie . . . I offered cocktails & a light dinner of sautéed chicken breasts & filet mignon, carved into tender bite-size pieces, with a salad of red & yellow tomatoes & red onions in a vinaigrette dressing. Dessert of several sorbets. All of which was consumed while standing around the high counter at the kitchen . . . very much a Julia Child venue & perfect for two friends enjoying “peace & privacy and a slower pace of luxury!”
The evening ended peacefully, as I cleaned-up a few dishes & savored a late Summer evening on St. Barths
AI got it right!
