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Post by existentialcrisis on Dec 16, 2009 8:47:30 GMT
Beautiful! Makes me wanna give Paris a second try!
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Post by lola on Dec 16, 2009 16:39:12 GMT
Magnificent. Thanks, kerouac.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2009 16:45:00 GMT
Great pictures, thanks for sharing these, Keoruac.
*makes me want to be in Paris*
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2009 6:31:39 GMT
Do you see this little gap in the illuminations on Avenue Montaigne? There was a report on television the day before yesterday about the major illuminations of Paris, and they mentioned this little space with no lights. It is because the Canadian consulate (which is right there) refuses to participate in the illumination of the avenue.
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Post by traveler63 on Dec 17, 2009 15:12:39 GMT
Why??? Maybe our Canadian posters can give us a clue.
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Post by bazfaz on Dec 17, 2009 15:49:22 GMT
They want to save their taxpayers' money? They want a clear view of any terrorists attacking? They are going to have a stall selling lobsters and maple syrup? Deyana is going to do an exotic dance there? Santa needs a parking place for his sleigh?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2009 18:08:19 GMT
The only other establishment on that street with barren trees is the Bank Melli Iran.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2009 19:20:00 GMT
Anyway, I went to inspect the Canadian miscreants myself at lunch, so at least I can say that they do not totally ignore the holiday season. Perhaps we will have a white Christmas in Paris this year, so here are a few scenes from today. How about a bench picnic? Well, maybe not... It was not one of the most successful days for the Vélib municipal bicycle system... It was warmer and quite pleasant in the Renault showroom on the Champs Elysées. This year's Christmas theme is "Noël Bleu." Outdoors was not as nice. (Yes, I know that this is not at all impressive to you Canadians.) Back in my own neighborhood, I was wondering how hard the railroad bridges will freeze tonight, because we are getting more of the same for another 2 days or so.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 17, 2009 20:51:03 GMT
Actually the snow on Paris streets and monuments is impressive, as I've never seen more than a dusting when there. Poor Vélibs! In Copenhagen the little sidewalk ploughs (we call them chenillettes) clean the bicycle paths too. Here they have started doing that as well, but only in the city centre.
And it would get chilly indeed on those long railway overpass bridges. I remember those being quite chilly even without any snow.
Though snow can be pretty if you aren't stuck with it for months on end...
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Post by bazfaz on Dec 17, 2009 21:21:04 GMT
Lovely photos, K. This morning the temp here was -11. Fortunately the radiator in our sitting room was fixed yesterday. Snow is forecast for tonight. Maybe.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2009 21:28:37 GMT
"Maybe" here, too. What really confounds me is that in this age of ultra perfected satellite technology, they still are never sure what the weather will be.
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Post by fumobici on Dec 17, 2009 21:42:02 GMT
Paris in the snow, how picturesque. I'd love to spend a few hours strolling around in that.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 17, 2009 22:00:40 GMT
I've had enough of that shit for several lifetimes.
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Post by bazfaz on Dec 17, 2009 22:11:59 GMT
I was in Bucharest in Feb 988, Ceausescu time, the Golden Age of Romania as the posters said, deep snow everywhere. There was no heating allowed in public places including restaurants. The Intercontinental Hotel was an exception. So I would go in there and walk straight up to the band and talk at them (they just smiled, not understanding) for a minute. This always established that I was a bona fide hotel guest so I could eat in warmth.
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Post by lagatta on Dec 17, 2009 22:57:28 GMT
I think it is quite telling that you wrote 988, not 1988.
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Post by lola on Dec 18, 2009 1:16:41 GMT
Beautiful, kerouac. Our man on the scene.
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Post by bixaorellana on Dec 18, 2009 1:55:59 GMT
I hope it's okay to say this ~~ after the breathtaking, gorgeous photos on the previous page, with all the lights and imagination and beauty put into dressing a venerable city for Christmas .............. I really fell in love with your more intimate pictures here. They're all brilliant, but the frosted ornamental gate, the close-up of the Metro sign in the bare limbs, and the line-up of bikes are truly stellar.
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Post by tod2 on Dec 18, 2009 11:46:33 GMT
I loved them all - but one more than others and that was your photo of the red illuminated metro sighn against all the black of the trees and fluffy white snow!! Wonderful! Thanks Kerouac.
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Post by traveler63 on Dec 18, 2009 15:00:26 GMT
K2, I love your snow pictures. It really makes me feel like it is Christmas, and the snow helps to offset the eternal sunshine here in Tucson. It will be in the 70's F here today. Hard to get in the Christmas mood.
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paristraveler
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Post by paristraveler on Dec 18, 2009 15:27:03 GMT
Simply stunning photography, k2. Trying to pick a favorite is difficult, but the one with the lady in the short pink full skirt should be on a Christmas card. The bare tree limbs and the lampost run a close second, the benches, the golds and grays of the gate (is that the Louvre?) and even the lady's coat...so gorgeous. I want to be there.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 12:39:17 GMT
Well, since a lot of Christmas activity in France involves eating, I figured that I should put some of the specialty foods on display here. The French like to eat different fowl from the rest of the year during the holiday season -- capons, wild ducks, geese, game hens, turkeys... The feathers around the neck are a guarantee of freshness, but I'm not sure exactly how you are supposed to check (easy to pluck out, hard to pluck out...?). On just a normal Saturday like today, a lot of people will just grab a rotisserie chicken and maybe work on cooking their specialty bird tomorrow. Fresh seafood is another holiday must -- scallops, sea urchins, oysters... Don't forget the cheese! (more to come)
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Post by imec on Dec 19, 2009 15:23:31 GMT
Oh, I've missed some of this. Love the pic of the snow covered Velibs kerouac! Oh, and the food! Love those scallops in the shell, the wonderful poultry, the cheese....
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Post by lagatta on Dec 19, 2009 15:50:12 GMT
Utah Beach seemed like a strange name for oysters, but of course it was one of the Allied D-Day landing beaches.
I love looking at the foodie offerings in Paris (and other French cities - Lyon is of course wonderful, and Strasbourg has those very "Christmasy" Germanic touches). I don't miss the snow or bitter cold - though it is usually damp and coldish in Paris that time of year. imec might miss the sunny skies they often get on frigid days on the Prairies. I find it such a relief not to have to wear a heavy coat and clumpy boots.
Although my cold is much better, I'm not heading out to Marché Jean-Talon today, though it can certainly hold its own.
kerouac, you could have put the food photos in "After Dinner", you know.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 18:51:55 GMT
kerouac, you could have put the food photos in "After Dinner", you know. There are very few sections here where I have not already put food photos.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 21:11:10 GMT
Continuing with food that is much appreciated at Christmas... More cheese! More seafood! More meat! Frankly, as much as I am a devoted omnivore, when I am looking at a market, the colors and variety of the fruits and vegetables always attract me more than all of the other stuff. Oh, as an aside before I start, I have always found it interesting that the best clementines are always sold with leaves and stems attached. It makes me think that the picking process is rather violent in Corsica. Now, on to the other basics... (more to come)
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 21:21:01 GMT
Very nice, and looks so organized.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 21:53:27 GMT
That sounded so blonde! Deyana!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 22:07:34 GMT
So many places to buy things! So much to see at this time of year! I appreciated the fact that this Islamic butcher was nevertheless decorated for the holiday season. (more soon)
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Post by lagatta on Dec 19, 2009 22:41:26 GMT
I love the little shops and the view of the shopping street - I don't place the street - which one is it? (Probably a street I've been to and just don't recognise the camera angle)...
Is the shop just above the Muslim butcher a Polish deli?
I'm leafing through the "Ethnic Paris Cookbook", by the way. Someone very kind sent it to me.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2009 23:17:15 GMT
The basic street scene is rue Montorgueil, in the 1st arrondissement.
Yes, I received the "Ethnic Paris Cookbook" from a very kind member here as well.
I don't think that the place above the Islamic butcher is a Polish one -- just a normal one.
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