Amiens, France (Part 2)
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Across the street from where he used to live on rue Charles Dubois in Amiens, the serene city park features a statue of young adults immersed in reading books. No words need be said as they are focused on the words, thoughts and creative images of an extraordinary voyage described within the pages of a world renowned author. Above the readers, resting on a concrete pillar, is the bust of Jules Verne who is regarded as the “father of science fiction.”
The Jules Verne home is a short walk from the cathedral and is now a museum. It is distinguishable by an ancient astronomical instrument at the top of a brick tower overlooking the entire neighborhood. The armillary sphere is a tool which dates back thousands of years, allowing a visualization of the positions and movements of planets and stars.
The visionary adventures of Jules Verne include From the Earth to the Moon; Journey to the Center of the Earth; Around the World in Eighty Days and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas. They were translated into many languages and enjoyed by many around our planet. These adventures are said to have inspired Humanity to imagine and dedicate its efforts to inventing the future.
Books give a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.
Plato; Stoic philosopher
It was in this tiny room at a top floor of his 19th century home that Jules Verne did most of his writings. Artifacts throughout the multi-storied home attest to his research, inspiration for his written adventures, love of art as well as his plays, short stories, poetry and songs.
Anything you can imagine you can make real.
Jules Verne; author
In my lifetime, it was (and remains) a precious moment to sit under a tree or in a quiet room and open a newly acquired book. Each time its cover is opened and at the turn of each page, words become woven descriptions enticing imagination - all while firmly anchored to the cover and pages. With the advent of electronic devices and “screen time,” certain sensations are unfortunately no longer.
Books force you to give something back to them, to exercise your intelligence and imagination.
Paul Auster; novelist, poet, screenwriter and filmmaker,
Downtown Amiens is full of wonderful shops, restaurants, cafes and fun surprises as my son (Max) can attest.
The region of Picardy in which Amiens is situated is known for many unique culinary specialties. The "flamiche aux poireaux" is a puff pastry tart made with leeks and cream while the “ficelle Picarde" is a cheese-topped crêpe baked in an oven.
Amiens is recognized for its very specific macarons which are small biscuits made with an almond paste and its “tuiles amienoises." These are chocolate and orange curved biscuits. There are far too many choices of places to eat in downtown Amiens and a hearty meal was the next important decision for us.
A Norman Lady and a Pizza place to remember
We decided on pizza and found the perfect place; Pizza Lusitalia, on rue des Sergeants in downtown Amiens. There were a few customers sitting in the small but welcoming interior. By the occasional entrances and departures, it seemed the “pour emporter” (take out) was popular with the locals departing with boxes releasing captivating aromas.
As we scanned the many menu choices, over to my right nearest to the window, I noticed a French lady in a blue apron speaking to four young Brits who were in their late teens or early 20’s. They really struggled to speak French but the lady reached out to them in her best English.
The lady in the apron, I later learned was Florence Lecornu, the manager. She took time from her busy schedule to explain and describe to the young men, communities about 70 km or 50 miles to the north. The visitors were interested in planning their next few days in the region and exploring its coastline. She described these small towns in vivid detail to include places to stay and points of interest; many most likely not mentioned in travel promotions. At certain intervals, she would excuse herself to tend to the dining guests but would promptly return to answer any further questions the visitors might have. I gleaned very quickly that Florence spoke of places she knew and loved; the towns and villages of her earlier years - the heart of Normandy.
Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. Albert Einstein; theoretical physicist
Mme. Florence Lecornu; the wonderful Norman Lady.
It wasn’t long before our orders were offered before our hungry eyes. Aromas of unequivocal freshness! The vegetables, cheese and meats were arranged on an extraordinary dough which was neither “enrichened” nor “bleached” (with chlorine), and not containing folic acid or sprayed with chemicals. It was done the “old way.” Its aromas and taste were totally different. No doubt, the French version of pizza is well worth the experience.
True, a good French red wine would have complimented the meal but we decided that "whetting our whistles" was more important. The featured beer was Choupetta which is brewed in Senlis, a small town dating back to the 2nd century of about 15 thousand; located south of Amiens. Choices! The Light or the Amber versions? We tried both. I preferred the Amber but both were pleasantly unforgettable as to taste and body.
Very unique to Pizza Lusitalia is that it offers what has become a new regional specialty, an appealing variety of a dessert called the Benoit Savary. It is a custard dessert topped with caramel and with a unique texture and flavor. The version offered here was created by a now renowned French baker who has achieved great recognition in Beauvais (south of Amiens) and even, had his Savary presented at the Champs Elysée. It is practice in the French culture that one must "always leave room for cheese." When in downtown Amiens and if you happen to visit Florence for a meal, leave room for the Benoit Savary. You'll be glad you did.
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop; storyteller
Next time - a trip to a small Norman town to fulfill a solemn promise in a community where one walks through the Middle Ages and times of the Renaissance.
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