American in Paris Part I. MARCHE BIOLOGIQUE I met an American in Paris named Michael Healy who lives in the Loire Valley and makes brownies for a living. He also claims to be the only baker in the world to bake fresh English muffins (he's not, of course...Arzimendi on 9th Ave. San Francisco and the Cheeseboard in Berkeley make them everyday—that's two). He also makes fresh carrot cake. I met him on a frigid sunny day on Rue Raspail in what could be the EU's largest organic market. The worn and seasoned cake pans caught my eye. Then his very American accent stopped me in my tracks: "Voolley vous un browniee?" Healy has been at this market for 14 years. He used to have a portable wood burning oven fashioned inside his truck which he brought to the market each Sunday and baked his goods. People, he said, stopped with eyes wide and their mouths agape in wonder at his movable feast. They loved it. Jealousy from other venders ensued. He was almost kicked out of the market in a power struggle. The market's president told him "Tu n'a pas le droit de faire ca." (You don't have the right). Healy said the expression is very French. Having the right to do something is reserved for the chosen few and those who have the correct education. In France, people know at early age what their specialty is—if you’re a baker you are a baker and you certainly don't change pre, mid or post-career like Americans do. Two years ago Healy started building boats —he has a shipyard. Now people ask him if he has the right to build boats. " If American want to do something they just go do it," he said without the air of patriotism. It's really is a cultural thing. In fact, it even happened to me. At the Mosque of Paris in the 5th arrondissement after drinking mint tea in delicate glass cups, like a tourist would, I snapped a photo of the lovely scene. A French man who told me, “Tu n’a pas le droit”, stopped me on the way out of the tea room. According to this man photos in public places were not allowed.