My friends in France know how to party!
In addition, it is very different then the parties back home in Canada!
Usually a get together starts late, after 20:00 and we start with an aperitif; a glass of wine and maybe some nibbles. Then around 22:00, the BBQ fires up and after an hour of so, the dry vines start to smolder just right to put the sausages and steaks on for the guests. Rarely do people eat before 23:00 in the south of France. For one, it is too hot during the day, and two, once fed the party is over, so the later you eat, the later they stay.
Children are invited to fetes. If you go to a village event or a house party, the kids are included. The children get to stay up late right along side their parents. They run around, eat and drink pop until they tire and then usually the host puts on a video and they fall asleep in a giant mount on the couch. It all very civilized and if you are lucky (which we are not) the kids will sleep in the next morning. We are still in French party training.
We have been to many get-togethers since moving to France. However, when we were invited to my friends 40th birthday party, I knew it would be something special. She hired a two-man band to perform in her home, and set up a stage with a dance floor. She also hired a caterer to serve food throughout the party. There was shrimp, scallops, shish kabobs, salmon aperitifs, Brie, salads, and BBQ.
Moreover, the champagne flowed…
To this party, they knew it would run into the morning and decided it best to leave kids at home. One family had a big sleep over party for all the kids at their house, watched by their older teen and her friend, which ended up being so much fun for the children and the teens made some money.
I will never forget my friend dancing to her favourite song, which I recorded and gave to her. Her energy is contagious, her style impeccable and everyone had a very good time at her birthday party.
The second party we went to recently was to welcome summer, the day after the solstice, and our friend put on a party with a Brazilian theme. She served a similar drink to the other party; a punch that made my eyes cross it was so strong. The food was delicious. They had the sausages and steak delivered 300 km from their hometown to us! The meal ended with melted specialty cheese with wine inside to dip your bread in.
The kids wanted to go home after two nights out, became the parental figures, and said, ok folks it is time to go home.
Children are so wise. Our French party ended well, and we walked home under the full moon. Vive la France!
Thank-you to our friends for a wonderful time!
That’s Hamori
