independence days

bonjour! c'est bastille . . . day. (jour du bastille? je ne sais pas--my high school french is starting to fail me.)

today is bastille day, the celebration of french independence (post-marie antoinette, right? my high school history is starting to fail me.) there is a little french community here in cobble hill, so on bastille day a few neighborhood restaurants get together to put on festivities. i met up with aa and her boyfriend p on smith street, for sausages (p), ice cream sandwiches (aa) and iced tea (me.) in spite of the heat, it was surprisingly crowded, as people ate and drank and played petanque in the streets. it was such a fun little celebration and i enjoyed hearing random passersby speaking french. i love how new york cultural events bring out people of that nationality; as i mentioned to p, if i lived in paris and they threw a 4th of july paty, i'd totally go. there's something so universal about the need to spend special occasions with people who share your traditions.

speaking of the 4th, we had a really great experience this year. we hadn't made plans to leave town, as s's family was headed into town for vacation last sunday. this turned out in our favor, as his boss invited us to watch the fireworks--over the hudson this year--from their offices on the 11th floor of the film center, on 9th avenue. after a day of chores, visiting with family, and board games and dinner on the balcony, it ended up being the perfect way to spend the evening. low key, but a perfect vantage point and comfy chairs, and without the pressure of the crowds usually associated with big city events. as we toasted with champagne and one of the adults softly sang the star-spangled banner, i felt very patriotic indeed.