WMIM: Missing in action October 23

   While planning the Paris leg of our journey, I found a link to a website for a man named Jim Haynes. He is an American, living in Paris for the last 30 + years. He is well traveled, well read and educated, and seems to have done it all (similar to the Dos Equis "World's Most interesting Man) so that became our name for Jim when we spoke about him. For the last 30years he has hosted a dinner at his home every Sunday evening, for anyone who wants to come. You have to contact him and request the date and if he has space for your group, you're invited. He hosts 50-60 people on average, and up to 120 if the weather is agreeable. He asks for a 25 euro donation for dinner and he has friends of different nationalities prepare the meal so you never know what type of food you will be eating. The intention behind this evening is for people from around the world to meet each other, with the ultimate goal of better international friendship and understanding.
   On Sunday a Russian friend cooked so the menu included Borscht, Salmon, a spicy carrot salad, and roasted potatoes, along with bread and wine, beer and soft drinks. The dessert was some type of vanilla cake with Creme` Anglaise. I was feeling a bit better and decided to eat it all, which was delicious but turned out to be a mistake for me dietarally.
   There was the standard 50-60 guests, however we were disappointed to learn that the host was away at a wedding in the States. His right hand woman Kristi acted as the hostess. We were especially disappointed because Jim is famous for his memory for names and faces and is apparently able to learn every guest's name before they come to dinner, and even remembers them if they return years later. He apparently spends the evening introducing all of his guest to each other. We were left to our own devices, but each of us managed to meet lots of interesting people.
   There were an overabundance of people from California, many East Coasters, and people from New Orleans, Tennessee, and Georgia. Other international guests came from Sweden, England, Australia, Scotland and a few born and raised Parisians. Among the guests were a lot of photographers, a pharmacist/movie director/blue singer, a statistitian (sp), nurses, firefighter, magazine editor, students, and unemployed travelers. It was an interesting, fun, and really different sort of evening. We are all so glad we went. It was especially interesting to find out how each person/group came to find out about this experience.