First of all, wanting to do my small part (la philosophie du colibri/legend of the hummingbird) to keep the #BlackLivesMatter movement centered, to keep those Black Lives Mattering, I recommend the Netflix series The Eddy. Nothing overtly political in the series, and you might question my even linking it to the activism represented by that hashtag. But thoughtful writing that centres Black lives doesn’t show up on our screens often enough. Watching it boosts the numbers for such productions, and encourages producers and distributors to show us more — which means more opportunities for Black writers and actors . . . .
Something I thought and wrote and taught constantly about through my years as researcher, scholar, university prof was the intricate relationship between Construction and Representation: the ways a nation, for example, or a gender, or a sexuality, is Represented. . . and then the way the individuals who find themselves covered by that label tend to Construct themselves accordingly, so that Construction and Representation chase each other. And they rely considerably on silencing dissension, marginalizing non-conformity.
Shows that turn the cameras on those margins, shifting focus to centre a disruptive Representation allows for de-construction and, hopefully, for new understandings. The Eddy, to return to my recommendation, does this work, offering a view of Paris that takes viewers beyond its beautiful Hausmannian façades, its fashionable boutiques, manicured parks, café terraces filled with stylish people . . . In place of that idealized Paris, The Eddy is set in a jazz club in a rougher part of Paris than what tourists might visit, and the roughness that complicates the lives of its Black American and French Muslim owners spills into the plot. The characters struggle, their struggles exacerbated by ethnicity, refugee status, religion, by addiction, by the assumptions of police, of the French state in general.
The cinematography is beautiful, despite the grittiness. There’s a scene of a beloved deceased being prepared for burial according to Muslim tradition that is stunningly rich, sorrowful, moving, profoundly gorgeous in a way I can’t explain — perhaps simply because of the rare generosity of such a depiction of Islam.
And if you like jazz. Well, truly, if you like music at all. . .
I’ve already written more about this than I’d planned to — all the above was written as an afterthought to what I wrote below, but I’ve decided I’m going to use this format regularly to feature viewing and reading and listening and linking that centres Black and Indigenous Lives. I hope you will find this useful or productive or inspiring. We’ll see how it evolves.
And now back to the post I first wrote . . .
A glorious Monday here: sunshine, blue skies, and a promised high of 23 (Celsius) — which isn’t warm enough for swimming unless you’re very hardy, but which is pretty close to perfect for me. My daughter writes and posts photos from Italy where it’s above 30 every day, has been for weeks, will be for months. . . . I wish we could be there, to be with them, but I don’t do heat well, and for now am content enough to be where I am.
Remembering being in Portugal (central) at the end of June ten years ago. . . . I wrote about that here, should you wish to travel with me. . .
Meanwhile, we’re trying to capture some of that Summer Traveller feeling by finding city terraces to sit at, lingering over delicious meals. Finally having the slightest occasion–a lunch date with my guy! — to dress for, I took advantage. It was brisk, windy, on Saturday, warm enough at 20, but I needed an outer layer. . . I debated whether or not I was over-dressed, but decided I was just right for me. These long pleated skirts are so easy to wear (this one’s Eileen Fisher, bought summer 2018), and I was comfortable walking for an hour in this OOTD before Pater and I met for lunch. The pink oxfords are almost two years old; the pale pink T-shirt brand new (also seen in my last post; yep, into heavy rotation already); the scarf was a Paris purchase winter before last; and that jacket scored a near-fail when I listed and analysed my 2019 Retail Wardrobe Shopping for Slow Fashion Accountability back in January. But it was perfect for Saturday’s weather — the woven cotton (with stretch) was just enough to break the wind and it’s not at all constricting. I might redeem that Bad Buy yet. . . .
As you can see from the background below, the industrial street scene here made it tough to pretend we were on a European vacation (the moody skies don’t help). But my guy was waiting for me, and we ordered a half-litre of the Tormaresca Primitivo we’d first tasted during a very special lunch in Puglia five years ago. Still very good. . . .
And while the street mood here skews Industrial rather than Italian Romantic, the owners of this great little Sicilian place in our ‘hood have brought the ambiance to their sidewalk patio, and we let our imaginations play along. . .
My guy, especially, was channelling Euro-style, don’t you think? (That young couple just getting back on their bikes took a minute to tell us how stylish they thought we were, really sweet of them, and we had a good chat about Italian culture and food — I thought that their pedalling up to lunch contributed some Italian notes as well).
And the food transported. . . . I haven’t yet eaten arancini in Sicilia
but Oh My. . . it’s hard to imagine this could be any better (crispy on the outside, soft, savoury inside, a centre of nutmeg-fragrant Besciamella enveloped by delicately seasoned saffron risotto. Mmmmm
And we’d decided beforehand that we’d do a multi-course lunch, stretch out the experience. So even though our first courses were ample, we soldiered on. Forced ourselves to appreciate a pasta course (his Carbonara, my Mushroom Ravioli in a Gorgonzola Sauce. If I try to tell you more about it, I’ll have to stop writing, because it’s past my lunchtime here and my tummy’s already growling. . .
There was a shared dessert as well, but it didn’t wait for the camera. . . .
Instead, I took one last photo before we left, so that I could compare it to this one, from a dinner with our Italian crew last spring. . . another sidewalk patio meal. . .
And that’s it for today’s post. A Traveller at Home sends you this postcard, and best wishes for a good week ahead.
xo,
f
That lunch looked like fun. Not sure what it will be like when we can go out to eat again here in UK. It doesn't bode well, when you see recent behaviour. Might stick to takeaway.
I’ve been watching “Eddy” for a few weeks now; drawn in by the music, stayed for everything else.
The rest of your post is absolutely mouthwatering and proves you don’t always have to travel far to enjoy the experiences of travel. And that last photo of the two of you says it all!
Frances in Sidney
Have to agree with the bikers, you all were a real ornament to the cafe! And the food looks wonderful, I am SO TIRED of my own cooking!
ceci
Oh, so very European! I'm really missing restaurants, and servers (we do order take-out from our local faves), but with the count once again climbing here in LA, I'm afraid that even an outdoor table isn't in the cards for us yet. #cautious
Love this post! Reading your narrative gave me a lovely respite from day to day covid life where the numbers are climbing in our little city and eating out would be throwing caution to the wind.
Thanks for taking us along on your lunch date! It looks delicious, stylish and fun. I've made a note of The Eddy for future watching. Really enjoy peoples' recommendations – what they think and why.
I haven't watch The Eddy but I shall. I feel that keeping the awareness of BLM alive is a step to diminishing
racism. We are going out to eat quite often, usually around home. Your jacket looks great with that skirt. I have the same skirt but I haven't worn it since I last worked in early March. How our lives have changed!
Happy you and Pater were able to enjoy such a wonderful meal. Looks delicious. Your outfits are great, but the thought of wearing so much clothing makes me faint. Our temps are similar to your daughter's in Rome (30s). Heat, high humidity and a jacket are incompatible. 🙂
Not venturing out for dining here…in fact, the one really authentic local ethnic restaurant (with terrific owners/staff) has had to close. Their lease was up and the landlord skyrocketed the rent and tried to add a series of other conditions they couldn't meet. Greedy landlords have been doing similar things to a lot of businesses around here lately. Cretins.
Thank you for the recommendation of The Eddy. It feels very right, that that's how you are supporting change in our views on race. and the actions we take as a result.
Your day looks wonderful. I am so longing to go out and see the world, but the US just isn't managing the pandemic safely enough:(.
We LOVED the Eddy. I really hope they do more seasons of it.
I'm so envious that you're able to get out for a nice Italian meal, al fresco. We're experiencing a surge in Covid here, so we haven't felt safe going anywhere, even with distancing. (But at least we have a nice backyard for the al fresco part.)
You do indeed look very stylish!
Annie G: We've been so lucky here — we've had very strong leadership that has appealed to our best natures (concern for others' health rather than our own) and compliance has been surprisingly high.
Frances: I'm so glad you enjoyed it as well. And we do look happy, don't we?!
Ceci: Thank you! (and even though he does most of the cooking, and he's good, there's something about the pleasure of having choice. . . .
CarolP: We're watching that with real concern for all of you. Must be so discouraging trying to follow best practices and have so little support.
Smithposts: Oh, I'm glad to know that. Was a bit worried after posting that it might seem smugly annoying to those who don't yet enjoy the same possibility.
So glad to see you recommend The Eddy here. I've been watching it since it debuted on Netflix. I did one of my weekly oral presentations for my Zoom French class on it. I like that it presents an alternative view of Paris – not the sparkly, glamorous one but a gritty one. I also like how it shows the influence of North Africans and Black Americans on the Paris music scene. In some ways, it reminds me of the film Paris Blues in which Sidney Poitier and Paul Newman play American musicians in Paris. The music definitely sets the aesthetic of The Eddy. The fact that it is filmed like a documentary and the crew doesn't know exactly what is going to happen as the musicians (the jazz group is played by real musicians) work to create in real time gives the show the feel of a true jazz club. This is definitely one of the better shows on Netflix.
slf
Ah, staycation. It’s a great concept when you live in a gorgeous area. Here, we panic a wee bit when we see out of provence licence plates, and ones from south of the border. Apparently house sales are moving quickly. I guess people need a slice of paradise. I do have a twinge when I think of all the wonderful choice of restaurants you have within walking distance,
I’m really going to miss our French life this year.
Ali
slf: Isn't it a great series? I didn't know that about the filming, but it makes sense. We watched it in French with French subtitles, so I know I'm going to watch it again quite soon to catch what I probably missed first time through — what a great way to do homework! So appreciate Netflix for their French offerings!
Ali: I can only imagine how you feel when you see those Washington (and beyond?!) plates showing up. I hope this gets clamped down on soon — the drive to Alaska is supposed to be done without stops along the way. . . We're being careful about the restaurants, but the patio seating is an option I feel comfortable with, since the distances are being so well observed.
And yes, we're really going to miss Europe — especially seeing the family in Italy. Still debating possibilities, but that fourteen-day quarantine either side. . .
Very elegant and very stylish and little pink socks…..?????
I love your blue frames and hope that some day my euro born hubby and i can look as nice as you and your hubby, do.
Thanks for sharing your blog with strangers. I hope your keep on rolling.
Ciao from SF bay area