If you’re in too much of a hurry to work through the context-setting preamble here, skip to below the photo for the salacious details. . . (okay, not too salacious, but there’s a soupçon of sexy 😉
“Nose, Granddad, Nose!” our Growing-up-Italian-Granddaughter prompted regularly as we hung out last week. Granddad was carrying the wipes and was expected to keep the space between nose and lips as dry as possible. A tough job requiring constant vigilance as Little Girl moved into the Actively Infectious stage of her cold, its causative virus clearly intent on replicating itself and getting out into the world. . .
Sure enough, a couple of days later as Pater and I marvelled atthe beauty of Florence, we also marvelled at how quickly a Two-Year-Old’s hugs can translate into a scratchy throat. And by Saturday’s visit to Naples, my own nose was the one being wiped, although I managed to do that unaided. . . And by Monday, back here in Bordeaux, I was happy to be able to stay home with a book and a box of Kleenex, doing nothing much more than sleeping and reading, and, well, nose-wiping. . .
Then against my hopes that I’d be well enough for yoga, Tuesday turned out to be another sick day for me, while Pater headed off to class. He was back in time to make me lunch and chat a bit before I went back to bed for The Longest Nap Ever. Seriously, I put down Commissaire Maigret (the mystery case focuses on the murderer of a philandering husband whose wife apparently tolerated his wanderings fondly and with amusement) about 2, and at 4:30, as I groggily swam back up to the surface of consciousness from the deep, deep pool of sleep, Pater was leaning over to kiss me good-bye as he headed out for a haircut.
That haircut probably deserves its own post, unlikely to happen, but suffice it to say that over all our years visiting here, it’s an eventuality he’s contemplated and put off, wearied by the idea of finding the right words while sitting in the chair. After all, “Number 2 on the sides” isn’t going to work so well here. So I was a bit surprised to find he’d made an appointment (apparently, he’d gone out to do that while I was setting the sleep record). Surprised and refreshed enough by the nap that I decided to make dinner for a change.
An hour or so later, my newly shorn man opens the door to the spicy warmth of dahl, his declared pleasure at the fragrance met by my delight at the posey he’s holding out to me.
He tells me about the care with which the flowers were chosen, wrapped together, encircled with raffia, then enveloped in paper, then tied with more raffia. . . He unwraps them and we try several possible vases in our rented accommodation.
He tells me about the experience at the hairdresser’s, the chatter around him, the other clients.
And then he chuckles, remembering the similarly aged fellow who was also getting a haircut, who then was also at the Carrefour when Paul popped in to pick up a jar of honey, and who asked my guy, when they met again at the florist’s door a few minutes later, whether he was following him or not. Paul laughed, and said they must have a similar agenda, and then, nodding at the bouquet in the other gentleman’s hand, asked if he, too, was picking up flowers for his wife. The other, chuckling, nodded and said, “Oui, ou peut-être pour la vôtre. . . . (yes, or perhaps for yours…)
So cheeky, some Frenchmen. . . 😉
But I swear, only Maigret was in bed with me. Truly. . .
What a lovely story, and such beautiful flowers! I hope that you are completely back to health soon.
Almost, Marie, thanks!
Funny story! The Grand Nap,lemon and honey and beautiful flowers-the best cure (maybe to add some chicken soup,for good measure)! Hope you are completely well
Dottoressa
I made up some chicken soup later in the week, and I'm almost better now (still wanting more sleep than normal, I must say!)
Yes, it did make me chuckle too:) A long afternoon nap sounds perfect when you've been feeling unwell.Hope you're beginning to feel better now. How thoughtful of Pater ..such a gorgeous bouquet…beautifully arranged.
I've so enjoyed "travelling" with you.The weeks seem to have passed so quickly.Lovely for you to be back home for Christmas though.
Like you, I'd heard many negative tales about Naples and pick pockets.Glad to hear more positive comments from you. Your experiences in the markets sound wonderful ..so colourful.
Enjoy your last few weeks.You've looked great in all your pictures. I think, perhaps, travelling with a carry on encourages more adventurous dressing!
Rosie
Thanks for saying you've enjoyed sharing my journey, Rosie. It's been good having friends along 😉
I'm sure there must be some truth to those stories about Naples, but I also think that much depends upon attitude, dress, behaviour, routes chosen, etc. And ours was just a daytime adventure. . .
My husband had his hair cut at the Galleries Lafayette – quite an experience. We made and appointment and were told to come back about 15 minutes later. My husband rocks a fairly west coast look, so to speak. Full bushy beard. When we return for the appointment, the lady (who made the appointment) looked
at him as if she has never seen him before. Soon he is in a chair with a cape thing on and a hairdresser approaches him nervously, sort of combs his hair around a bit and then disappears. Another hairdresser arrives, same thing. Finally the third one arrives and after being assured that she does not have to do anything with his beard, just his hair, starts to snip the scissors around in the air surrounding his head, but doesn't really seem to be removing any hair. She stands back and is satisfied with the results and leaves. Brian actually had a very good haircut, despite the appearance of very little hair being snipped. I think the haircut cost 50 euro, more than my guy normally spends but we get such a chuckle out of thinking about it that it was worth the cost.
That story is worth the price of the haircut, I agree! Paul's was only 17 euros, and believe me, they cut considerable hair (he always rocks a very short cut, and his current do is in RCMP territory now!)
A lovely romantic story from the nose to the nosegay.
Nice, Elle, nose to nosegay. I like that!
A lovely romantic snippet…hope that you are feeling better.
Thanks, L. Yes, my sniffles are gone and just some fatigue to conquer now.