64 steps

It is 64 steps from our front door to the community-run cinema.

They show French and English films but also have special events.

We took those 64 Steps

We took those 64 steps Thursday to see the Australian film Charlie's country.

Australia is Charlie's country, taken over by the whites and he finds it hard to adjust so he tries to go back to the old ways. A good comment on race relations, adaptation, cruelty, friendship. We saw it with out Swedish friends, a lovely couple.

At the end R. said, "Let's go get a drink."

My reply, "How 'bout my living room?"

The four of us walked the 64 steps home for wine and conversation about the film.

We took the 64 steps again

On Friday night it was Ciné-chanson night at the cinema for "Hommage to Léo Ferré," (1916 – 1993) French poet, composer and anarchist. With Serge Gainsbourg, George Brel and George Brassens he is considered one of the greatest songwriters of all times, but he also set French poets (Rimbaud,  Baudelaire, Aragon) to music.

The documentary included his life, photos of Monaco and France from the year of his birth to the year of his death.

His music is as relevant now as it was then.

My favorite will always be "Avec le temps." Listen here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiXcUTTLud4

A few more steps

We walked across the street to la salle 14 juillet where we had our commitment celebration. It was much more crowded this evening as dinner was served:

• beef and couscous tanjine
• wine
• bread
• salad
• cheese 

Everything was from either the village or a near-by village.

We were at a table two two other couples, and Rick held his own in French. One had been married 46 and the other 54 years and warmed to the fact that we almost newlyweds. We find we get ahhs when people learn this, but unlike another man the week before, they didn't ask about future bébés.

Maax Pissane gave a concert of Léo Ferré songs.

The film cost 6 Euros (US$1.13, £4.45) The movie/dinner/concert 17 Euros ($US19, £12.61). It's not the cost that's important. It's the delving into other cultures and the community spirit that makes bundling up on a cold evening worth the effort.

We crossed back to the theatre and walked the 64 steps home.

Rick has a dueling blog on the evening. http://lovinglifeineurope.blogspot.fr/2015/02/he-mixed-revolt-with-love-and-melancholy.html