It really felt like winter in Amboise today. Cold, windy, rainy, you know the drill. What else could we do but go to the local chocolate shop (chocolatière Bigot) and have a cup of hot chocolate? Inside it was warm and cozy and the chocolate was hot and rich. While enjoying this wonderful respite, I snapped a picture of one of their wall sconces whose shadows I thought were mesmerizing.
I cannot let this day pass without acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. For my generation of Americans, this was one of the most monumental days of our youth. JFK came to France (and other destinations in Europe) during his university years (1937) and I suspect that this trip had a lasting impact on his world view and policies. Would that all Americans make a voyage beyond their borders to comprehend other cultures and the world at large.
Just from this picture I can tell I would like the place.
ReplyDeleteKennedy and that anniversary have been preoccupying much on this side of the ocean.
Leave it to a chocolate shop that's been in business 100 years (in the same location) to make good hot chocolate.
DeleteThat's very pretty and now I want a hot chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI was listening to France Info yesterday on the way to work and they were talking about 1963... I remember my parents talking about it a lot, I suppose it must have been around 1973 for the thenth anniversary... JFK made a huge impact in Europe too and of course, he dined at Versailles: http://galerie.parismatch.com/detail.cfm?idpicture=296540665
That is a wonderful photo of the two couples at Versailles. Thanks for sending that link.
DeleteComme pour tous les évènements importants, je me souviens exactement du moment où je l'ai appris, même si j'étais très jeune: je m'entrainais dans mon club de gymnastique artistique et mon père est venu me chercher en nous l'apprenant.
ReplyDeleteJ'étais à l'école quand l'assassinat s'est produit. C'était un jour très triste pour tout le monde (entier).
DeleteI don't remember it (I would have been 3 years old). I heard a group of people who were there interviewed the other day on the BBC. Two things struck me -- one was how graphic their descriptions were, and that none of them bought into any of the conspiracy theories.
ReplyDeleteI think the conspiracy theories have been pretty much debunked, at least with respect to the shooting itself. But for those who believe in them, there is no scientific evidence that will ever change their minds.
DeleteWhat class were you in when we received the news?
ReplyDeleteI think I was in Mr Barrett's science class. I remember that the PA system abruptly came on without any warning as to what was going on. What do you remember?
Delete