I have spent the last two months in Paris in a transitory state. I had two months and one week before starting my new job next January. I had been assigned to a temporary position at the French Ministry of agriculture with some minor tasks to undertake, which kept me occupied during the daytime; I had many days of annual leave to claim before the end of the year; and I had a lot of time available over lunch breaks and in the evenings.
My priority has been to see friends and former colleagues again, some of whom I had not met since I had last left Paris more than eight years ago. It was important for me to reconnect with these old friends and colleagues; covid and my posting in far-away China had prevented me from seeing them all these years. Having a lot of free time available outside of my working hours, I spent a good four weeks with all the slots for lunches, evening drinks and dinners spent seeing old acquaintances. In total, I organised 38 get-togethers around food or drinks, taking the time to catch up and spend some quality time with individual friends or couples. Three exceptions: one large Chinese hot pot with former colleagues from my previous job in Beijing; one Chinese-style meal I cooked for six other former members from the Choeur Varenne I used to sing in when in Paris; and one invitation to share an enormous poached salmon with six other members of the Choeur Varenne.
I was lucky to find a choir that accepted me as a temporary singer for just two months. The group was just forming and happy to get as many singers as possible to bring in new members by word of mouth and to get a choral momentum started. I have been keeping my voice trained and learning new repertoire by Vivaldi at Choeur Altā Voce. I also took the opportunity of my two months in Paris to go see various live shows: three plays, two recitals, two operas and one musical. I got to admire the interior decorations of our historic theatres and the outdoor festive lights in the streets.
I also travelled out of town for long week-ends. I went twice to see my parents in their country house in Southwest France. I went to Montpellier to meet many partners for my future posting, while also seeing more old friends and colleagues. I crossed the Channel for a day in busy London and two restful days in the Kent countryside. I also flew to Barcelona where I discovered a city with a stunning view on the Mediterranean Sea, a love of good food (this grill-restaurant I went to did not advertise its menu but had a glass view from the street showing the interior of its fridge), and more outstanding music inside the magnificent concert hall of the city's Palace of Music.
I have managed to fit in many activities in these past two transitory months. I am now with my parents eating a lot of delicious and very rich food for the end-of-year holidays. 'Tis the season to bake all kinds of Christmas log cakes.
De passage
Graeme Allwright, Leonard Cohen
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