The Rainmakers

Sorry for the absence. B and I have been working on a business plan that we had to test again in the field. Basically, we hire ourselves out to people (from individual gardeners to national governments) who need or want rain. We plan a holiday there, arrive, and collect our paycheck...because, almost without exception, everywhere we go together it rains, often completely out of season. I tell you, I'm starting to believe in weather-oriented kharma and am wondering what I did in a past life to warrant such pay-back...
You might think I'm exaggerating but our research suggests otherwise: 2 weeks in Sydney, mid-Summer - rain for all but 3 days; 4 days in Madrid, the start of Summer and traditionally a dry time - 3 wet days; A weekend in Fontainebleau with sun predicted - rain the first day and threatening (although admittedly unrealised) storms on the second.

We could make a mint!

Anyway, Fontainebleau was a lovely town and we'll definitely return when the weather is drought-dry. I highly recommend a dinner at 'L'Ecurie des Cepages' - a wine bar with a great selection of light meals. Don't expect the best service (it's run by the sommelier and one other staff member) but do expect great wine and delicious, fresh food. The wines we had were:

• A 2006 Languedoc from the SE of France ('Donnaire Mas de Matin')

• A Cab Franc called 'Coup France' from the SW (Chateau par Stephanie Roussel)

• A Champagne called 'Drappier'

• And a 2005 dessert wine which I wrote down as 'Corvu Pierre Corvee' from 'Chateau de Rutille'...which could be completely wrong because, let's face it, I'd been drinking all night.

It's been a week of discovery - of France, of my goals for my time in Paris, and of myself - not all of which has been pleasant but probably all necessary and certainly all beneficial. I won't bore you with the details; suffice to say I know more about myself now and feel more confident in becoming a better person. And, after all, isn't that one of the main drivers for travelling - discovering a wider world and growing for the positive as a person?
I only wish the discovery had extended to a permanent job. Alas, it's an elusive quarry and the hunt continues. The PT I mentioned in the last post worked out well and will hopefully become a source of casual spending money but it's not what I want for a full-time job.

Ah well, la vie est bonne, Paris est beau et le temps a tourné pour le meilleur. C'est chouette!