It was one of those perfect early summer evenings. The sky was sending out les bisous d’or and there was just a faint enough breeze to play with the ends of my skirt.
My Mom had been telling me about the Top of the Park Festival, which takes place each summer on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, for years. She had her first date with Leonard – now her fiancé – there and had passed many a happy evening with my Sister as well, dancing under the stars.
Last Saturday evening, it was finally my turn. My Mom and I stocked up on a Mexican feast from one of the food stands set up by local restaurants and went to find Leonard, who was waiting…
…in an area under the trees called the Grove, where the fairy lights blinked and plastic tumblers of red wine awaited us. Just as we arrived, plates balanced precariously in hand, a family got up from where they were sitting at the front and center of the action and said, “We are leaving, do you want our spot?” It was one of those gifts that fall into place on such an evening. We smiled and offered copious thanks as they melted into the crowds.
As I settled in, I couldn’t help but be delighted with the calmness of the scene. People of all ages, races and styles chatted quietly with one another. Kids did cartwheels across the lawn. There was no pushing to be first in line or to procure seating closer to the stage, no frantic texting or gasping theatrically into cell phones. Perhaps I have been living in Europe for too long but it did surprise me, even though I grew up largely in the Midwest where we are known for our polite behavior. Such ease of conviviality, natural and without decorum, only added to the sweetness of the evening.
I think that it was Adam Gopnik who, in his excellent book “Paris to the Moon” nailed down the contrast that in New York you are anonymous and in Paris you are given the head to toe glance by each and every person that you pass. I had experienced the shock of that transition when I moved from Manhattan to France and am now used to that attention in Arles. At the Top of the Park, no one was particularly looking or not looking. We were all just there, together. And while the three of us were unanimous in our dislike for the main band – a let down after the swing of the Joe Summers Gypsy Jazz Trio that had opened for them – we didn’t mind leaving early, for we had already passed a wonderful moment on a perfect night, the simple peace of which I will not soon forget.
From a smaller venue at Top of the Park in 2011:
Many thanks to Leonard Wells, my Mom’s wonderful fiancé, who loaned me his snazzy Samsung Galaxy to take these photos. Alas, I forgot that I can’t download images from my trusty Canon on my laptop, so I will either continue sharing the posts from Provence that I had prepared in advance or smartphone snaps while I am in the States…
And I would also like to express my gratitude to the extremely generous David Terry, who has sent me two care packages of fascinating books to entertain me during the rest of my time in States and beyond…Merci, David!
It was a simple evening Edgar in the best sense…
Heather….looks like you are enjoying your visit home. Great shots.
I for some reason get a kick out of reading the comments on your blog. me oh my….I find then entertaining. I am also trying to figure out what I can send you!
Reading some comments here, am I wrong or is there a certain generalizition taking place?
Paris, Rome, Nice and other tourist centers, especially in the Meditarrenian are not reprensentative for Europe or "european attitude".
Compared to the USA Europe is much smaller but does consist of many very different countries which you can see from the list below. (I did not bother to translate the names.)
Would nobody look at a foreigner in the States?
In terms of getting looked at and cell phone activity, please try a gallery venue in Manhattan, Boston or the Artfair in Miami.
Eurpope and States that belong partly to the European Continent:
Belgien, Bulgarien, Dänemark, Deutschland, Estland, Finnland, Frankreich, Griechenland, Irland, Italien, Kroatien, Lettland, Litauen, Luxemburg, Malta, Niederlande, Österreich, Polen, Portugal, Rumänien, Schweden, Slowakei, Slowenien, Spanien, Tschechien, Ungarn, Vereinigtes Königreich, Republik Zypern Zypern, Albanien, Andorra, Armenien, Aserbaidschan, Bosnien, Herzegowina, Georgien, Island, Kasachstan, Liechtenstein, Mazedonien, Moldawien, Monaco, Montenegro, Norwegen, Russland, San Marino, Schweiz, Serbien, Türkei, Ukraine, Vatikanstadt, Weißrussland
It is a lot, isn't it?
As a German tourist in the States, outside of New York, it happened that people think that Germans like Hitler, eat only Sauerkraut and Potatoes and run around in Lederhosen.
Not very polite…but I would not generalize…(;
Okay, Okay……enough compliments……NOW, I want information…….how did a town in the USA get named "Ypsilanti"? I know…I could probably google it, but I'm 2 lazy/tired tonight. I spent the day trolling around this 220 year old joint with various landscapers, talking about supposed (by them) contracts, and I eventually realized that I don't need a gardener….I need a forester to start off with).
So…..what's the deal with "Ypsilanti"??????
And, by the way?….I think everyone should send Heather presents, all the time. She's already going pretty-steady with Mister Remi, so you don't have to worry about her trying to snag you just because you sent her a few books, CD's, certificates of stock-deposits, and/ or emerald necklaces, etcetera……as far as I've been able to determine, she's doing her best to be an Honest Woman in a Wicked World. SO…..everyone should send her lots of presents. Don't you agree with me?????…..
Advisedly yours as ever,
david terry
http://www.davidterryart.com
Wonderful to see your photos here, especially the food one, as a reminder that it's not just that Arles and beyond are so beautiful but that you have such a good eye in composing the tray and more, and taking photos, making Tex Mex in Ann Arbor look romantic, exotic, and irresistible. The magic and beauty are in you, more than the place.
Mexican al fresco – Yay! Let's hear it for North America and its culinary diversity! Looks like you're having fun on your summer vacation abroad. xxoo Tabby
The sweet delights of a lovely American summers' evening. I haven't experienced one in many years. France is wonderful, and I am privileged to be here, but I do miss "home" a great deal sometimes. So glad that you are having a lovely visit with your family. And David Terry is, it appears, a very kind soul.
Sounds like the perfect evening. Well I am glad that I am not the only one who noticed that in America you are kind of anonymous. It always made me feel a bit weird. But then, this island is so small that even when you venture to another town you are sure to run into someone who looks vaguely familiar. Especially if, like me, you never forget a face.
Oh my goodness! I was so excited about your post because I am from Ann Arbor! I had no idea you had a connection to this area and that you are here right now! My husband and I just got back from Arles and LOVED it there more than anywhere else in France. I am enjoying your blog so far, quite a bit. How long are you in Ann Arbor for? I work two streets away from Top of the Park and live in Ypsilanti.
That DAVID is so thoughtful!!!!You have a lot of beautiful people in your follow group!