Déviations - Sunday, 7 April

I was worried that there would be traffic "déviation" on my way to church this morning given the Paris Marathon that started around 8:30 and wound down the right and left banks, including right in front of The American Church in Paris (read about my favorite Sunday haunt here: ACP post from 2012), so I took the Metro instead of my usual bus route.  But no worries...the runners were apparently on the Voie down next to the river rather than up on the Quai.  (Makes sense now that I think of it!)  I got out at the La Tour Maubourg Metro stop, and was able to wander past some old haunts along the way, including the very first apartment I rented for a vacation in Paris back in 1997 on Passage Jean Nicot!

The worship service was great as usual, and it's always nice to see familiar faces among the preaching staff, musicians and congregation (even though they don't know me from Eve, I feel as if I know them).  But what really blew my socks off was the vocal solo of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Call" by baritone choir member Philip James Glenister.  I have never heard it sung more beautifully or with more heart-felt conviction.  Here is the text:

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a Way, as gives us breath:
Such a Truth, as ends all strife:
Such a Life, as killeth death.

Come, My Light, my Feast, my Strength:
Such a Light, as shows a feast:
Such a Feast, as mends in length:
Such a Strength, as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
Such a Joy, as none can move:
Such a Love, as none can part:
Such a Heart, as joys in love.

So I just had to look him up, and I found the reason why he sings so beautifully.  Check out his website: Glenister Vocal Studio  This is inspiring!  Maybe something I know how to do would actually be useful to other people and I could set up a studio in Paris to teach it!  Must ponder....

But back to "déviations."  I caught the #63 bus right outside the door of ACP to take me back to the Place Saint-Michel neighborhood where I could catch the #85 to get me back to my 'hood for lunch.

Unfortunately, according to the little lighted sign in the bus stop, the #85 wasn't running at all today - not sure why, but that's the way things go here sometimes.  So I decided, since I was just 1/4 block from my favorite little raclette resto on rue Saint-Severin (one that I try to hit once every trip) and since it was kind of chilly out, mountains of melted cheese with potatoes, ham, dried beef, sausage, cornichon, pickled onions and bread might be JUST the thing for lunch.  When I say mountains of the stuff I really mean it!  One could feed a family of five with the food they bring.  As usual, I couldn't finish it all.  http://www.laluge.fr/index2.htm

At least I was able to wander through the narrow winding streets of the Latin Quarter to burn off some of the calories before jumping in the Metro for a quick trip back to my 'hood!  Enough déviation for today!