A few weeks ago I got a call from Elsa informing me that there would be a low-key picnic happening with some friends beside the Seine that night. Luckily, low-key picnics beside the Seine are one of my favorite things in the whole world. We met up near the Bastille and walked down the cobblestone path along the Seine until we found her friends.
It was a glorious, warm night, and the sun set over Paris like a pink dream. It was one of those nights that makes you happy to be alive, and happy to be just where you are.
I knew about half the people there, in a group which turned out to be about 20 friends, so I think I'm making progress breaking into the Paris social circle. We ate cheese and vegetables and charcuterie and drank wine as the sun dissolved into darkness, only to be illuminated by tourist boats drifting past with their lights beaming down on us.
Everyone in Paris was out that night.
Someone brought a guitar and started playing, of all things, a broken-English version of Prince's "Cream." All the girls started dancing and singing along in their French accents, not really knowing the words, and one guy sitting next to me said bitterly, "You see? All this guy had to do was bring out a guitar and all the girls love him." Eventually a random trumpet player happened past us and he and François (the guitar guy) played some salsa music. Then there was nothing but music, laughter, dancing, and the river beside us.
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