Today's Bastille Day, one of the biggest holidays in France. I was invited to a fun-sounding picnic near Leesa's apartment, where they were going to serve homemade Mexican food (my absolute FAVORITE) and margaritas. In case you're wondering, Mexican food is traditionally served in French households on Bastille Day. Just kidding.
Anyway, everybody's outdoor holiday plans were ruined because someone decided it should rain today. It had been nice and sunny leading up to this but today there were pouring thunderstorms. Bummer. The picnic has been rescheduled for Sunday and darned if I'm not going to show up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
I still make the rookie expat mistake of referring to the holiday as "Bastille Day" when the French actually usually say "le quatorze juillet" (the fourteenth of July). It's very much like how many Americans say "the 4th of July" instead of "Independence Day." I'm learning.
What a BUMMER Jennifer .. I hope the picnic comes off, I know she had some of their family there today :-)
According to Jennie in France today is called " la fête nationale " ... or is it called both??
http://ielanguages.com/blog/
Posted by: anne | July 14, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Hi Anne, it is called both things. La fête nationale is the official name of the holiday, but in casual conversation it is often called le quatorze juillet.
Posted by: Jennifer K | July 14, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Yes... in fact, I've NEVER heard ANYONE in French say - Bonne Fete de la Bastille! I guess it's said that in English because of the storming of the Bastille in 1789... but no French people I know say Bastille Day...
Jennifer-- Yes.. as LUCK would have it the ONE day in the past month that we've had HOT and great weather-- it decides to "STORM" down (kind of symbolic- don't you think?)
Okay soooo... See you on Sunday!! It's actually AT our place (residence) but downstairs in the garden area. Lots of grass for picnicking!!!
Posted by: Leesa | July 15, 2010 at 08:10 PM
Hi Leesa, I didn't even think about the symbolism of the storm on le quatorze juillet! Good one!
Looking forward to Sunday!
Posted by: Jennifer K | July 15, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Well, the rain-check soiree (can a daytime party be referred to as a "soiree"?!) turned out to be worth the wait, at least from my perspective. It was great to meet you! I hope I'll get to see you in Paris again before long.
http://myveganparisianadventure.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Aurelia | July 18, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Hi Aurelia, it was so nice to meet you too! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Yes, let's definitely stay in touch!
Posted by: Jennifer K | July 18, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Mexican food on Bastille Day ! That's so exotic :)
Cathy
Posted by: French online | September 04, 2011 at 07:46 PM