I spent a lot of time in Paris studying with
Nadia Boulanger who was one of the great
teachers and mentors to too many musicians
to count. I had an apartment in a building near
the Cite des Arts which was similar to the International
House here in N.Y where young musicians, writers,
artists found a place to live. It was like having
my own little studio. A five minute walk to Notre
Dame and best of all, very close to Berthillon which
made ice cream and sorbet which I am certain was
laced with drugs it was so good. I actually brought
some back to N.Y. I went to the main place where it
was made. It was packed in a way that would prevent
it from melting. When I got on the plane, there were
three possibilities. Dry ice, a freezer, and just to
eat it if the first two weren't available. Not all by
myself of course, I would have shared it with the people
sitting next to me. who I'm certain would have thoguht
they had just won the lottery. There was dry ice.
When we landed, I had the containers
that would prevent it from melting for three hours and
I was home before then. Going through customs they
asked me what I had. I told them. They look at me as if
I were crazy and said get out of here with a laugh.
Again, thanks for posting inspiration for these memories!