Fêtes in French

…actually means holidays! And the French Club went oooh la lah! when club president Champa Gidwani and her husband Manu hosted a fabulous "diner amicale" with all the members and of course, the visiting Frenchmen in town.

Everyone came in holiday gear with the predominant colors of red, green and gold. Catching up on the French manners, wine was served with dinner which was a lovely fusion of Gallic dishes, Indian curries and Pinoy party fare. Aprés, it was strictly games and endless laughter. Just in from Europe taking up further courses in hotelrie was Maggie Echaus who brought a Buche de Noel for dessert, a cake made to look like a log with winter décor which is typically French. Games followed which included an exchange of gifts that had everyone rolling with laughter since the Frenchmen would grab and wouldn't let go the wine bottles wrapped obviously so.

There was group singing "chansons" that warmed our spirits and made us wish everyday was Christmas. A highlight of the evening was my contribution to the club of a series of French "Histoire" magazines sent by its editor Raymond Leveque who also visited Bacolod recently with Victor Magsaysay and their friend Simon from Paris. Raymond promises to keep on sending "Histoire" to the French Club as long as there's someone who can bring them from Paris. Hmmm, I guess that will be my chore until I say "Adieu" to the City of Lights…

MY PRAYER

Help me to display Your joy!*