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Flexibility

I have learned that when you are living in a language that is not native to you, you must be flexible and make the most of the situation.

I was having lunch with Helmut at our "gluten free" cafe. We call it that, not because it actually is gluten free, but when they first opened, they served everything with bulgar wheat. I mean everything. Yes, I know anything with wheat has gluten. Yes, I know that if they serve that they are not now, nor will be gluten free. Just go with it for now.

Anyway, I don't always know every word of things when I order them, but for the most part I get the gist. As you probably realise, this can sometimes go awry. Like the time I was out with English speaking clients of Helmut. I saw a pavé on the menu. This has always been beef, so I told them so and the beef was always excellent. That night I found out that pavé means filet. Many times that is beef; sometimes it is fish.

Anyway, back to our Gluten Free lunch. I saw on the menu an item called Coq Muniere (chicken... something). For some reason, chicken is not as popular in Paris as it is in the states. But, most butcher shops have a rotisserie outside, doing chickens. The smell is intoxicating. Of course, every time I pass one, all I want is chicken. I must have been doing shopping that day, because the idea of chicken sounded perfect to me. So, I was expecting this:


What I got was this...


Huh. 

It was good, but you just have to be flexible!


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