The True Story of Saint Roch

Saint Roch was born in Montpellier late 13th or early 14th Century. He was an orphan from a wealthy family at a very early age but as an adult decided to give all his belongings away and to go to Rome on a pelgrimage. From there on starts his legend. Before to set out for Italy, quite wisely, he filled up his flask with water from the family well. Along the way he met sick people who he is supposed to have cured thanks to this Holy Water. St Roch caught the plague as well and consequently hid in a forest. Maybe you’ve seen a sculpture of St Roch with a dog ? I’m sorry to say nobody knows the name of this pet. He actually saved Roch by stealing away food from his very rich master and feeding this brave man from Montpellier. A socialist dog no doubt.
Well here is the twist : Karl (I decided to give a name to this animal after all he deserved it) went back to his aristocratic master. Roch, walked back to Montpellier (he was running out of water you see) and in front of the Opéra House was arrested by a nasty policeman who accused him of transporting illegal substances ! The poor Roch died in prison (at the estimated age of 80) without being able to make a last farwell to Karl.

Since then the City of Montpellier celebrates its patron saint mid-August every year . The famous well is open to the public. It is now located in a shoe shop. Quite appropriate to praise a former pilgrim after all…

St Roch church is in the middle of a medieval area of the City. The shop keepers around the church organise regurlaly events to promote themselves. This time round, between the 23d October and the 15th November, 30 different artists are displaying their paintings, sculptures, ceramics or photos in St Roch shops. Roch was from a trading family so it is relevant as well.

Tokyo

Last night I had suggested my own weekly cinema outing on On Va Sortir. I was on my own. Never mind I still had a good time watching : Tokyo ! You actually get 3 films for the price of 1 ! Three directors (Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho and Michel Gondry) have set their movies in the City of Tokyo. Far from a picturesque view of this fascinating City (I had the chance to go there 3 times) the different stories are very original even sometimes funny and moving.

The Lying Tongue

I finished to read last night "The Lying Tongue : A Death in Venice" by Andrew Wilson. First novel by this young author. It tells the story about an accounter between a young writer, Adam , and a-once-famous-novelist Gordon Crace. It then embarks you in very unsettling and bizarre waters...
It's definitively a page turner and the twist is very good.
I'm not telling you more about it right now as it's the book we are going to discuss on at the Book in Bar Book Club next Wednesday.

Central America at the Polygone

They made a - small - replica of the desert in Central America in Montpellier would you believe it ? In front of the Polygone shopping center.

Desert in Montpellier

Books

I always have a good companion with me. No it's not a partner. It's not a pet. It's a book. I read everywhere anytime whenever I have a minute... even on the tram. Reading is like living several lives.
This week end I have finished "The Road Home" by Rose Tremain. It's about Lev who emigrates from Eastern Europe to London. For a change this story is full of hope, the characters are larger than life.
I actually lead 2 different book clubs. One for Britsnîmes (www.britsnimes.com) and one for Book in Bar (www.bookinbar.com) but I'll tell you more after the next meetings:)

Busy day

Today over lunch I met a lady from Aix en Provence. She wanted to discuss about French Help Services because she would like to set up a similar business in her area.
I then went back to the office. I had a post visit report to write down for Tots To France.
And eventually I went to a "vernissage" which is in fact a free aperitif on a 1st day of an art exhibition. It was a "On Va Sortir" event in the St Roch quarter. The shopkeepers of this lively old part of the City organise every year art exhibitions in about 30 different shops of their neighbourhood. I was - once again - a nice opportunity to meet new people.

Flooding in the area

It rained last night over the Cévennes - north east of Montpellier - the equivalent of 6 months of rain in Paris... Consequently all the rivers in the area are getting much bigger all at once including le lez opposite my flat ! There has been serious flooding in the past but lately the worst has been avoided thanks to a lot of prevention works : digging ditches and artificial reservoirs.
Nevertheless if you are considering buying a property down here it's worth looking into this issue. French Help Services - www.frenchhelpservices.com -can certainly advice you. We know our area and how to get specific information.

Heavy Rain in Gard last night

Le Lièvre Gourmand

They bought off the house next door as well.

Le Lièvre Gourmand

Sunday lunch time we went out again : I invited my Mum for her birthday... This restaurant is right in the middle of nowhere in a village in Sologne. The Chef is from Australie. The cuisine is soooo good ! Exquisite ! You have the flavor, the smell... very original presentation. They only have set menus with small and well balanced courses.

http://www.lelievregourmand.com/

River Loire in Orléans

Bottom : my parent's garden

Chez Jules

Friday night my Mum invited a few friends and myself to the restaurant. It was her birthday earlier in the month but they were in Portugal. This restaurant is behind the cathedral and near the Préfecture in one of the most lively pedestrian street - specially at night with its numerous bars and restaurants - of the City. See a colleague blogger : I agree 100 %

http://fr.wordpress.com/tag/chez-jules/

Orléans by night

My portait on line

One of my friend who's a journalist and a webmaster did a web called "Gens de Montpellier". Here is the link to my own portrait :

http://www.vie-de-montpellier.net/montpellier/revue/culture/benoit-ivernel-1.php

Please not that since it was made last summer the activities of "TicketOui" have been switched to www.onvasortir.com

Week end in Orléans

I'm having a 3 days and a half break in Orléans where is my family. Orléans is 100 kms south of Paris at the top of the river Loire. It's the Préfecture of Loiret and Capital of the Région Centre. And of course famous for Joan of Arc : in 1429, following the instructions she heard from voices Above this virgin shepheard from East of France kicked out the English invaders... It's a short cut but that's what we learned at school...

Orléans : Cathédrale Ste Croix

Orléans : Eglise St Paterne

Orléans : Place du Martroi

Orléans : Joan of Arc

The Other Side of The Big Apple

As expected I was on my own tonight... I re-scheduled it for Sunday 2d November over a brunch.
Last night I went to the pictures. "Chop shop"is set in New York more precisely at Willer's Point, Queens. According to NYC's mayor it's actually the most helpless spot of the Big Apple ! Waow ! Although it's a fiction - to keep it short Alejandro, 12, and his teenager sister are struggling (to say the least) to survive in a junkie garage - the debutants actors are making this story larger than life...
For the records : USA 2007, director Ramin Bahrani. This film was selected in several festivals : Cannes, Toronto, Berlin and won the "Someone to watch Independant Spirit Awards 2008"

On Va Sortir

I found out lately www.onvasortir.com . It's a great scheme to go out and meet people around different activities. You can either go along to outings proposed by members or create your own. I'm organising tomorrow evening a meal out in a Brasserie revolving around a discussion topic : sharing experiences from stays in New York. So far nobody has said he/she will come but wait and see... I'm probably going to do it again anyway on a week end day.

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