france

One wrong, not righted, leads to the same mistake again. History repeats itself, and from my studies in the course, The Holocaust in France through Film and Literature, and the trip I took to further explore the issues we dealt with in class, I see more vividly how this saying is true.

“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt." (Leviticus 19:33-34)(1) This ancient Israelite commandment was applicable in Mesopotamia, in ancient Greece, in Medieval Europe, in Mid-Twentieth Century Germany, and in France today. History has always had group of the “other,” but in no way, has the creation of a group the “others,” lead to anything but conflict.

If anyone should be named cultural ambassador in Paris, it would be Jim Haynes - without any doubt. But Jim's place in the 14th arrondissement, in a courtyard of 1930s style brick,metal beam and glass artists studios, on 83 rue de la Tombe-Issoire, is more than just an embassy, it is a gallery, a publishing “kitchen”, a meeting place of many nationalities not only limited to American expatriates, but open to people of nationalities from the east, west, north and south. Here liaisons and unions are made, ideas developed, news exchanged, and on his special Sunday evening dinners, plenty of meals cooked by his friends (with his ever helping hand stacking pots and pants and getting the stove ready on time) are consumed in the company of dozens of world citizen accompanied by wine, fruit juices, tea or coffee, from 8 till 11.

Basil Saint Germain

Juan, owner of La dernière goute, has presented a taste of excellence in French wine making through his now mythic Saturday wine tastings for years.

You can taste those wines you necessarily don't wish to drink, or that are above your means, but keep in mind that when you find a bottle that has the sign of excellence you will return, and buy it. At the same time Juan and his friendly crew offers an unequaled opportunity to learn about wine.

For thousands of years the Languedoc region of the south of France has been known to produce hearty wines since the Romans settled there, making it an ideal wine country.

Basil Saint Germain, trained at the Bordeaux institute of oenology, bought with a partner 8 ha of mostly gravel sand on terraces issued of the "Villafranchien" (while mammoths were still stomping around), in 1994.