It all began with the phone clock not being adjusted to the new time zone.
And turned into a delightfully memorable early morning walk in Paris.
On our first morning in Paris some time back, I had set the alarm for 6 AM as we were planning a day trip to Versailles. As it happened, the alarm rang and call it years of discipline, I promptly woke up, had my tea and a quick shower.
Something looked a little different- was it too dark outside? The curtains were drawn and I didn’t really want to open them in case I woke up the family.
About fifteen minutes later, my husband Avi appeared- all dressed and ready but with a pained look on his face. Then said-“Do you realise? Its only 5 am. “
That was when I understood, what I’d thought was an alarm for 6 AM hours was actually set for 4 AM.
Well that was that, and not wanting to disturb our daughter Neha, we stepped out for a very early morning walk.
Everything looked different, the streets were empty and every now and then, a few people passed us- those returning from the night shift and work and a couple looked at us in surprise- wasn’t 5 AM a little too early for a walk?
Being familiar with the area from our last visit, we knew that we would pass Pasteur, with its famous Lois Pasteur Institute and this would be followed by Volontaires about two kms later. The sun was rising and there was a beautiful nip in the air, one which made me wrap my jacket a little more snugly around myself.
Three kms later, we were thirsty, but I’d honestly say, a little more hungry. And that was also when we saw it- the sweetest little Patisserie that looked so very welcoming.
A cheerful looking lady welcomed us and asked us what we would like for breakfast. We chose the Continental one with a chocolate croissant for me and the cheese version for Avi and paid up. Looking through the glass window and smelling the delicious aroma of freshly baking bread all around, I simply asked her if I could step into the kitchen where the baguettes were bring made.To my delight, she agreed, and there I was, right where Jacques was getting ready to make the next batch of baguettes.
Look through the sequence of photographs that I’ve posted, its really self explanatory. With something as simple as this machine, Jacques turns out anything between 300-800 baguettes a day (depending of course on the demand.)
Must confess, all that walking and then clicking the pics almost had me drooling and this is what we settled down to – a simple, delicious, very early morning breakfast on our first morning in Paris.
As they rightly say, best memories are sometimes made of unexpected moments and culinary delights.
Sunaina Serna Ahluwalia is an author, independent communications consultant, travel and food writer, with a passion for photography and baking.
A graduate of History Hons from St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Sunaina went on to do a Master’s in Advertising and Public Relations from the Indian Institute of Mass Communications New Delhi.
Starting her career with Clarion Advertising New Delhi, she then moved to Muscat, Oman where she lived for 25 years with her family.
Numerous challenging assignments followed- Product Group Manager, Genetco, Account Director, Fortune Promoseven and Advertising and Public Relations Manager, The National Detergent Company.
Sunaina has written three works of fiction
A Safe Harbour
Point of No Return
An Autumn Melody
and is currently working on two more.
