Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Peter 082 - Maurice

Maurice is the mayor of a small community in Alsace.

He heard us discussing the notices posted on his Mairie (Town Hall) and invited us into his office.  He unlocked the glass doors of the case behind and showed us the records of his town dating from the late 1700's.  The records were written variously in French or German depending on which particular country was in control of the place at the time, until about the mid 19th century when someone gave up, and began recording in both languages "just in case".

Most families in the region to this day, can communicate in either language, once again highlighting our own particular ineptitude!

6 comments:

cara said...

I can see I'm going to have to jump back on the horse here.

Julie said...

Did you get his phone number on a scrap of paper?

bitingmidge said...

Hehe... here Julie there's a direct button to click:
http://www.xouaxange.com/ :-)

Julie said...

i probably should not have taken that link1 He just looks like a conservative councillor in that photo.He would be better served using your portrait as his Mairie photo.

Be my scout, Pierre. Take lots of portraits of men of character who won't see sixty again!! Eye candy for the old duck ...

bitingmidge said...

Your wish is my command! ;-)

Ann said...

Beautiful little town he's got there.